By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Residents of Mpape, Bwari Area Council in the FCT have lauded the Nigeria Army for the free medical outreach conducted in the area on Monday.
The District head of the community, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar Gimba gave the commendation during the outreach which is part of activities marking the 2021 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
According to the Alhaji Gimba “The Nigerian Army has shown by this medical outreach that it is truly our Army. They are not all about fighting wars. They have demonstrated that they care about our health also.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Maj.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya who flag off outreach, said aside its constitutional roles, the Army carries out humanitarian services to its host communities at intervals.According to him, the area was selected because of the population and acessement of the need of the people.
He said, “The Nigerian Army is your Army. In addition to the constitutional role of the Army which is the defence of the territorial integrity of the country, suppression of insurrections among others, the Army also finds time to carry out Corporate Social Responsibilities ( CSR) at intervals and this one of them. “Every year during the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), quick impact projects are carried out across Divisions, units and formations of the Nigerian Army, targeting the less privilege in our host communities where these services are needed. “The Nigerian Army also carry out quick impact assessment projects which includes provision of drinking water,sometimes we also carry out intervention in schools, hospitals, roads, cleanliness and other services relevant to our host communities.”He urged Nigerians to always provide information to security agencies to enable them tackling security situation in the country.
“I want to urge you to support the Nigerian Army by providing the Army, sister agencies and other security agencies with relevant information that will lead us to squarely address security challenges bedeviling us as a nation.”The criminals live among us.
Sometimes we know them. Those who are involved in kidnapping for example or catle rustling or armed robbery live within the communities, they may even be our neighbours.”
Speaking earlier, Acting Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Col. I. B. Solebo said said the medical outreach is taking place in Mpape and Mabushi communities simultaneously in Abuja.
He said it will cover free cervical, prostate and breast cancer screening, blood pressure check, sugar level and dental screening.
Others include distribution of mosquito nets, wheel chairs among others.
