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…as 9 Brigade boost civil-military relations with free medical support
By: Okosun Dennis
Residents of Oworonsoki in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State were on Friday given free medical services by the 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja Cantonment.
Over 500 beneficiaries comprising the young and old, appreciated the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Adegoke Adetuyi and the Nigerian Army under the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, for the free medicals considering the harsh economic realities in the country.
The exercise which is part of the activities for this year’s Ex. STILL WATERS III, is designed towards enhancing robust Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) as a way of giving back to the host community.
In his remarks, Brig Gen Adetuyi explained that the medical outreach was part of Exercise STILL WATERS III, an operation which is aimed at ensuring safety and security of law abiding citizens during the yuletide season.
The beneficiaries had their vital signs taken and were treated for Malaria fever, other sundry ailments, tested for Hypatitis B and C, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Eyes and other Laboratory services with the complements of free eye glasses, tooth paste, brushes, mosquito nets and drugs were distributed to the residents according to prescription by the team of doctors.
Speaking with our correspondent, Brig Gen Adetuyi reiterated that, Ex. STILL WATERS III, has recorded a number of successes as they have been able to deal with the rising cases of cult incidences, particularly at Kosofe local government which had a remarkable increase in the number of cult activities recently.
“Based on credible intelligence, our men were deployed in collaboration with other security services to clamp down on those bad guys and we have been able to bring it down tremendously. However, the exercise is yielding a lot of positives.
“This exercise has also enhanced our Civil-Military Cooperation/Relationship (CIMIC) and the medical outreach is a significant aspect of it; which is our way of extending a hand of friendliness and fellowship to the host community by making them to benefit from some of the things the military could offer.
“There are other activities that have been earmarked by CIMIC including rendering help to some schools within our area of responsibility. Also, 9 Brigade has also visited some orphanages to distribute relief materials and we would continue to do that after the yuletide season.
“You will recall that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja personally flagged off this Exercise on the 10th October, 2023 at our Forward Operation Base (FOB), Ibafo, which is an indication of the importance attached to this exercise.
“However, 9 Brigade covers Lagos and some parts of Ogun state hence the exercise has been extended to those parts including Kosofe Local Government where this medical outreach is taking place and our men have covered all the nooks and crannies of those areas.
“We have been able to collaborate with the local government, get information from possible threats and respond to it accordingly. Such collaboration with other security agencies and the local government have helped in doing our jobs and play our roles efficiently”, Brig Gen Adegoke Adetuyi reemphasized.
However, the elated Executive Chairman, Kosofe Local Government, Mr Moyosore Ogunlewe, thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja and, particularly, the 9 Brigade Commander for their prompt responses to security issues and that has kept the community safer.
He observed that the free medical attention would go a long way at cushioning the effects of the economic realities considering prices of drugs at chemist shops.
Ogunlewe acknowledged that it has not been ease as a government to manage crisis within the local government noting that there are many young people that are out of jobs and so many others that need assistance especially the old people.
“The military has been very helpful and other security agencies. About two weeks ago, we had a lot of issues within the local government and their quick response calmed everything.
“As a government, we would continue to render services within the purview of our financial capacity. Last year, we shared about 1,900 eyes glasses. It’s not enough hence we need assistance from both the military – as we are seeing now – and other Non-Governmental Organisations. All of us must come together to drive this country to a safer place.”
On his part, the Oloworo II of Oworo land, Oba Saliu Babatunde Saliu expressed satisfaction with the quality of medical care extended to his kingdom adding that what the Nigerian Army has done is a demonstration of the importance they attach to lives of citizens.
“I thank the Nigerian Army for collaborating with the local security to chase criminals away from the Community. We still need their support because crime cannot be eradicated but can be reduced. Sincerely, crime has really dropped lower than 10% in my community. We would continue to pray for the Nigerian Army personnel to sustain security,” Oba Saliu noted.
Some of the beneficiaries of the free medical services expressed joy and satisfaction with the impeccable medical provision by the 9 Brigade stressing that it has impacted positively on their lives.
Mr Festus Agholor, an amputee and a retired soldier from the Intelligence Corps, expressed his appreciation not only for the treatment but drugs and sundry tests conducted free of charge.
“The cost of drugs are high and this will enhance our health challenges as a people in this community who often find it difficult to access quality drugs in public hospitals due to cost. I knew about it last night and came here. I had different tests, prescribed drugs and got them free.”
On her part, Mrs Bose Odusanya, a teacher, felt great for the free consultation, drugs and the mosquito nets. While commending the NA, she solicited for more medical assistance in the neighbourhood urging the army to keep it up.
“This is my first time of having this kind of free medical service in my community. This should be a regular thing and urge them to extend same to a place like Oworo Kpako Eko re’, school children because Oworonsoki is a massive place.”
A mother of triplets, Mrs Juliet particularly thanked the NA for the unparalleled and unequalled attention she got from the medical teams, reiterating that the good done by the NA would remain indelible in her heart.
Earlier, the Commanding Officer, 9 Brigade Medical Unit, Lt Col SE Adetoro conducted the Brigade Commander, Brig Gen Adegoke Adetuyi, the Local Government Chairman and his entourage round the Consultation stands, Pharmacy and the Dental Clinic giving titbits on medical areas covered.
It would be recalled that Nigerian Army, as part of its Civil-Military Cooporation (CIMIC) has always impacted host communities with free medical services where the communities members have the opportunity to have consultation, tested and dispensed drugs free of charge.
