Nike Enjoys Army Free Medicare

In continuation of activities marking the 2009 Army Day Celebration, the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Monday  offered free medical services to the people of Nike community in Enugu East Local government Area of Enugu  State.

Free medical  services  which was taken to the door steps of the people of the densely populated community include free medical services and test, counseling, laboratory services, child welfare clinic services, Rollback malaria services, HIV/AIDS tests, blood pressure test, among others.

Speaking at the occasion, the General officer Commanding the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army , Major – General  Mohammed Isah, explained that the  offer of free medical services was in compliance with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff  on good,  cordial  and peaceful co-existence  between the army and the civilian populace.

According to the GOC who is currently giving serious face lift to the 82 Division Headquarters to the admiration and satisfaction of the officers and men of the division,  “We have enjoyed good relationship with the civilian populace. We are our brothers’ keepers. Our aim of coming here is in continuation of activities making the 2009 Army Day celebration. We are providing free medical services and I say charity begins at home . We have to start with our host community”, he stressed.

Major-General Mohammed  further explained that would be a continuous exercise as any person or persons discovered after medical test to have any form of illness, would later at his own time   continue with the free treatment at the 82 Division hospital, Enugu.

Earlier, when the GOC  paid him a courtesy call at his palace ,  the Igwe of Nike, Barrister  Julius Nnaji ,  [ Odezuluigbo III of Nike] had called on Nigerians to give the army the  co-operation  needed to serve their father land to the best of their knowledge.

In another development, the president of  Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association [NAOWA], Mrs  Aisha   Isah, has called on widows of officers and soldiers of the division who paid the supreme price in the course of defending their father land to take advantage of the opportunity offered by association  in the areas of  skills acquisition to make their lives better.

The wife of the GOC  made the call Monday on the occasion of presentation of  bags of rice and other items to the widows as part of activities marking the 2009 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.

She regretted that since she took over as the president of 82 Division  NAOWA, “I have realised that our widows have not been the much desired attention.  This, I find quite disturbing and requires our urgent commitment.”

Realising the need for education of women in  the barracks, Mrs Isah stated that  an adult education initiative  has been embarked upon by the association , adding that efforts are in top gear towards the take off of the project

Her           words: “We are also making plans to extend our adult education programme to other barracks within 82 Division area of responsibility. This we hope will empower our women towards uplifting the social status of the barracks community”, she added.