It was a day of joy for residents of Kirikiri Town as the Nigerian Navy deployed its medical team to provide for them free medical checks and free medicines, especially at a time when healthcare and medicine is gradually going beyond the reach of the common man in Nigeria.
The Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) WEY and newly promoted Rear Admiral Mohammed Dahiru said the provision of the free healthcare was driven by the desire to appreciate the host community for peaceful co-existence over the years.
Kirikiri Town located in the Oriade Local Council Development Area of Amuwo Odofin Local Government had for many years been the host to Nigerian Navy armament depot and the naval community called Navy town.
Indeed, the free medical rhapsody, according to the Navy, is part of NNS WEY corporate social responsibility aimed at fostering the cordial civil-military relationship with host communities.
The commander said it was also geared towards appreciating the community for the peaceful co-existence between the Nigerian Navy and the host communities that spanned over decades, expressing profound gratitude to the host community as well as the paramilitary and security agencies within the area for their cooperation and tolerance of the Nigerian Navy (NN) personnel.
Admiral Dahiru particularly thanked the leadership of the Correctional Service for allowing Navy personnel access through the Correctional Service road to Navy Town from Kirikiri Town.
The Commander stated that the Navy is poised to foster the relationship with the host community as well as the paramilitary institutions, while pledging the force’s commitment to maintain the cordial and harmonious relations with its neighbours.
Admiral Dahiru also called on the community heads to continue to impress on their members to maintain law and order and be tolerant of NN personnel so as to maintain the cordial relations that exist between kirikiri residents and the NN.
Admiral Dahiru also noted that the medial rhapsody was in line with the Chief of the Naval Staff strategic directives 2003-6. The exercise featured a range of medical services starting with public health talks, vital signs check, blood pressure check, blood sugar checks. Others were,distribution of treated mosquito nets, eye test, dental checks, and clearing of the drainage, general clean-up to mitigate the effect of climate change and improve cleanliness and aesthetics in the area. The exercise was a success as residents turned out en masse to participate in the exercise.
Baale of Kirikiri Town, Chief Babalola Babatunde in turn thanked the NN, particularly Commander NNS WEY for choosing Kirikiri for the medical rhapsody and the community service. He assured the Commander that the cordial relationship between the NN and the Kirikiri residents will be sustained. He added that the exercise will further cement and foster the already existing cordial relations between the NN and the host community.
