Onitsha Residents Benefit From Army Day Celebration

More than 1,000 persons in Onitsha, Anambra State recently received medical treatment from men of the 302 Military Cantonment of the Nigeria Army as part of activities to mark this year’s Army Day Celebrations.

The Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Archdiocese of Onitsha had also offered free medical services to residents earlier.

Before the free medical services, the soldiers had over the weekend embarked on environmental sanitation exercise of the commercial city.

While addressing journalists during the free medical exercise, the Commander of Onitsha Military Cantonment, Colonel Joseph Osuji, said the gesture was in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff to build an excellent civil-military relationship that will project the military in a positive light.

According to Osuji, “the event is a yearly exercise which commemorates the creation of the Nigerian Army 146 years ago,” disclosing that the theme of this year’s celebration is “Repositioning the Nigerian Army for Better Civil Relationship.” He stressed that the exercise will go a long way to correct the impressions civilians have about the military.

“The Nigerian Army after 146 years of existence, has done exceedingly well in the areas of peace keeping missions in the African sub-region and internal security,” he said, stressing that to be properly appreciated by the civil society, the current efforts would be sustained.

Commenting on the exercise, the medical officer of the regiment, Lt James Egbe expressed satisfaction at the turn out, stressing that in view of the prevailing economic situation, the people should take advantage of the free medical care offered by the soldiers, which he said, is supervised by highly qualified medical personnel drawn from the regiment.

Egbe, however, disclosed that over 20 out of those tested for HIV tested positive, stressing that their status would not have been known if not for the exercise, while harping on the need for people to go for HIV test to know their status.

Also, the JDPC, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) of the Archdiocese of Onitsha offered free medical services to the less privileged and residents of Onitsha.

Speaking to journalists at the premises of Holy Spirit Parish, Omaba, Onitsha venue of the exercise, the co-ordinator of the group, Mr Alphonsus Nwoye stated that the gesture was motivated by the need to assist the less-privileged who could not afford medical services, noting that the group is committed to the overall welfare of the less-privileged and other dependents in the society.

Gov. Peter Obi