The beneficiaries
Mudiaga Affe, Calabar
Over 3,000 residents of Ogurude community in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River have benefitted from the free medical outreach undertaken by the 13 Brigade of the Nigeria, Calabar.
Residents of the community were tested and given free drugs on malaria, blood pressure, hepatitis, typhoid, fever and others; while treated mosquitoes nets were also distributed to them.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who flagged off the medical outreach, said it was in support of the ongoing exercise python dance.
Buratai, who was represented by the Commander of 13 Brigade, Calabar, Brig.-Gen. Ismaila Isa, added that the medical outreach was also meant to strengthen the existing civil-military relationship in the state.
He said that the Nigerian Army decided to carry out the exercise because of the importance of good health to humanity.
“I am here as the representative of the COAS with our health team to render this free medical service to you as part of the ongoing exercise python dance. The essence of this exercise is to rid our society from armed robbery, militancy, kidnapping, terrorism and other vices in the country.
“I am happy that we have not found anything incriminating in this community. We understand that this community used to be in crisis with their neighbours over land disputes.
“What we are doing today is part of our community service to enhance the existing civil-military relationship. We are here with a full medical team that will render free medical service to you,” he said.
Traditional ruler of Ogurude community, Cyprian Okpobang, who expressed joy over the kind initiative of the Nigerian Army, said that the community lacked medical services, good drinking water and comfortable primary and secondary schools.
“We are peace loving community. Since the day the military stepped in and asked us to surrender our arms, we immediately did that. I am happy with this free health service,” he said.
A 72-year-old beneficiary, Mrs. Happiness Ataba, who was tested and given drugs for malaria, thanked the Nigerian Army for their magnanimity.
Ogurude community had in the past been engaging in communal crisis with the Idah community over land dispute.
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