Nigerian Navy Fosters CMR, Conducts Medical Rhapsody in Lagos Community 

Chiemelie Ezeobi 

In a bid to foster civil-military relations, the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) WEY, Commodore Mohammed Dahiru, recently conducted a Medical Rhapsody in the Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos. 

The Rhapsody, which reinforced the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to its host community, was aimed at enhancing the well-being of the residents, promote cooperation, and contribute to environmental beautification.

Expressing appreciation for the harmonious relationship that exists between NNS WEY and Navy Town, Commodore Dahiru said the initiative was in line with the directives contained in the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, Strategic Directive for 2023, which encouraged units like NNS Wey to conduct civil-military activities in host communities as a token of gratitude for their continuous support and peaceful coexistence.

At the Oriade Rhapsody, naval medical personnel gave health talks, conducted pre-medical checks and provided essential treatments. 

In addition, Commodore Dahiru donated drugs, mosquito nets, and chairs to expectant mothers attending ante-natal clinics. 

He also tackled environmental concerns in the community by ensuring naval personnel cleared the drainages, thereby  enhancing the environment’s aesthetics and reducing mosquito infestation. 

In an interview afterwards, Commodore Dahiru, reiterated the NN’s commitment to the welfare of the community, adding that it marks the beginning of similar endeavours that would extend to other communities within their jurisdiction. 

He expressed gratitude to the local government and traditional rulers for their support and appreciated the enthusiastic participation of community members.

He said: “Today, we thought it wise to come here and conduct medical rhapsody to do pre-medical checks, donate drugs, mosquito nets and donate chairs to our pregnant women that come for ante-natal. We have also come here with our personnel to clear the drainages around. 

“All these are aimed towards enhancing the well being of members of the community and also to mitigate the effects of climate change, to beautify and to clean the environment.

“For us the Nigeria Navy Ship Wey, we administer 10 barracks areas and this is the beginning.  We’re going to touch all other communities. I want to seize this opportunity to thank Oriade local government and the leadership of the local council and other local governments as well as the traditional rulers here for coming out. 

“I want to thank the members of the community for coming out en-mass to participate in this programme. I also appreciate our commander Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital and his team for supporting us with this outreach.”

Expressing the council ‘s delight, Executive Chairman of Oriade LCDA, Hon. Romotalai Akinola Hassan, acknowledged the cordial relationship between the community and the navy.

Hon Akinola who was represented by the Secretary of the Council, Mr. Rasaq Akorede Olojede, encouraged residents to make the most of the primary healthcare program offered by the Nigerian Navy, underscoring the enduring support of the local council.

He said: “We want to say emphatically that we have been enjoying a very cordial relationship in the area of security and protection of lives of property from this office of the Nigerian Navy and we wish to assure them our regular support at all time when the need arise.”

Also speaking, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Surgeon Captain Ikechukwu Chukwuka  said some patients will receive immediate treatment, while those with chronic conditions will be referred to appropriate hospitals for further care.

He said: “Some of the people may require treatments so we treat them on the spot. Some that have chronic cases like Hypertension cannot be treated once. 

” We may need further review. So we can refer you to the nearest hospital, of which Nigeria Reference Hospital is near enough or any other Hospital as the case may be for further review.

“We may also pick specific one or two surgical cases that we may tackle, that is if a definite diagnosis is made or if there is a need for further review. We have our machines like MRI and other diagnostic tools that we use to further evaluate patients. So in such cases we may invite them to the hospital.”