THE Forward Operating Base (FOB), Escravos of the Nigerian Navy has provided free medical services in Aruton and Oporoza communities in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
No fewer than 1,700 residents of the two coastal communities benefited from the free medical outreach.
Aruton is an Itsekiri community while Oporoza is an Ijaw community, both being the host to FOB, Escravos. The Commanding Officer, FOB, Escravos, Navy Capt. Ikenna Okoloagu, said the initiative was to further strengthen the existing relationship between the Nigerian Navy and the host communities.
According to Okoloagu, the medical outreach “is a non-kinetic approach of the Nigerian Navy aimed at earning the trust of the host communities.
“It involved the provision of free medical consultations, sugar check, blood pressure, health education, free medical treatment for common ailments and distribution of insecticides and treated mosquito nets, among others to the people,” he said.
Okoloagu said that Aruton and Oporoza communities were carefully selected in recognition of the contributions of the Ijaws and Itsekiris to the operational successes of FOB, Escravos.
He experssed hope that the medical outreach would further endear the people to the Nigerian Navy, thereby  enhancing the existing co-operation between the host communities and FOB, Escravos. “It is expected that the improved cooperation will be crucial in attaining the dictates of the Strategic Directives of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla to stem illegalities in the maritime environment,” he said. The Olaraja of Ugborodoland, Mr. Daniel Uwawah, while speaking at Aruton, thanked the Nigerian Navy for the gesture and urged his subjects to always have a good relationship with the navy. “We are very happy with the Nigerian Navy. They are very good to us and I want them to always come around,” he said.
Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer, Gbaramatu Youth Council, Mr. Wuruyai Maxwell thanked the Nigerian Navy and prayed to God to continue to bless the Navy. Speaking at Oporoza, Maxwell said that this was the first time the Nigerian Navy was conducting such a laudable exercise in Oporoza and urged them to keep it up.
“What I know the Navy for is protecting lives and property. I never knew that this kind of gesture can come from them.
Maxwell urged the people of Oporoza Community to reciprocate the gesture by cooperating with the Nigerian Navy at all times. (NAN)
