The Nigerian Navy (NN) has donated drugs and foodstuff to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camped in Dalori 11, Maiduguri, to alleviate their sufferings.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, made the donation in Maiduguri as part of activities marking the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Nigerian Navy.
Ete-Ibas, who spoke through the Chief of Administration, Nigerian Navy Headquarters, Rear Adm. Obiora Medani, while making the donation , said the exercise was timely.
According to him, the Medical Rapsody in Borno is meant “to express our own empathy to the good people of the state for the trauma they have suffered in the hand of the insurgents’’.
He said the Rapsody was also to tell to the people of the state that they were not alone, especially the women and children.
“There is nothing we can do except to look at their immediate medical needs and see how we can give assistance; we believe that this little token will put in the minds of the people that NN is strongly behind them.
“The NN feels their suffering, and the trauma they have gone through, and with the efforts of the armed forces, the whole thing will soon be a thing of the past,’’ the Naval Chief said.
He assured the people of the state that the armed forces of Nigeria were currently winning the battle against the insurgents, adding that the environment would soon be conducive for them to return to their respective homes.
Ete-Ibas explained that it was the tradition of the NN to regularly conduct medical rhapsody and free community medical services as a grass root social service during major events of this nature.
“This year’s annual rhapsody provides avenue for the NN to get closer to some communities and civil populace.
“It is also my belief that events of this nature will further stimulate the interest of the young ones in the community to aspire for a career in the NN and any other service.
“Some of these states include; communities in the FCT, Sokoto State, Adamawa, Rivers, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Lagos State, Cross River, Kogi and Benue.
“In commemoration of the celebration, the NN is also conducting medical rhapsody in all its commands across the country,’’ he said.
Items donated include: drugs, treated mosquito nets, beverages, biscuits and soft drinks.
In his remarks, Gov. Kashim Shettima who spoke through his Deputy, Alhaji Usman Durkwa, commended the armed forces for their successful counter-insurgent operations in the North-East.
Shettima also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his timely intervention to end the insurgency in the North-East.
He also urged the people of the state to remain calm and continue to cooperate with the military as the insurgency “would soon be over’’.