By Lucky Atu
Koko the headquarters of Warri North LGA, in Delta state have benefited from a free medical services offered by the 19 Battalion of Nigerian Army.
The free medical treatment was part of the activities to marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) held on the 6 of July every year.
The commanding officer 19 battalion tactical command, Lt. Col M.A Maaji said the main excess of the exercise is to enhance health status of the people and men of the Nigerian Army “the exercise was part of the corporates social responsibility of the army to enhance the health status of people and to improve on the civil/military relationship over the years”.
Col. Maaji explained further that security is not all about going to war, arresting criminals and securing properties but also include healthy life.
“The military is not all about war alone, but also contribute to the development of the larger society. Security is not all about arresting criminals and securing properties but, also include living a healthy life.
He charged the youths, chiefs, council of elders, community and opinion leaders to embraced peace which is the hallmark of development “no government all over the world will perform without peace, hence, we must all support a peaceful atmosphere to achieve meaningful development”, Col. Maaji said.
He added that “the free medical outreach was used to enable the people know their different health status like blood pressure, blood sugar tests laboratory investigation and malaria test.
Col. Maaji said the exercise has enabled a lady to whose blood pressure was 280/150 to know her current health status which would have cause a serious health challenges if not control.
The commanding officer then use the medium to appreciate men of the 19 Battalion for their level of professionalism and commitments to combating crimes in the Niger Delta region “this year’s army day was unique because it goes with lectures, Juma’at prayers for the nation as well church thanksgiving service.
Thanking the commanding officer for the noble initiatives, the chairman of Warri North LGA chief Francis Eyituoyor Maku who was represented by his supervising Councillor for Environment, Hon. Jolomi Esiategiwa said the idea is excellent as that will further strengthen the relationship between civil society and the military “this Idea is wonderful, this will further strengthen the civil/military relationship and provided a different look to seeing the military as partners of development”, the council boss noted.
Responding on behalf of the community, the chairman Koko Community Management Authority, Engr. David Esimaje Oniyeburuthan thanked Lt. Col. Maaji for the gestures to forster the civil/military relationship.
The high point of the occasion was the presentation of writing materials and books to students of various schools in Warri North.
