By Leonard Okachie
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has commended the Nigerian Army for building and donating a befitting health centre to Umuchieze community in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state.
Otti gave the commendation during the inauguration and hand over of the HRM Eze Reuben Oguchi Okwale, Chieze II of Umuchieze Memorial Health Centre, on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the facility was named after the late traditional ruler in recognition of his meritorious service to the Nigerian Army before his retirement at the rank of a Major.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonna, said that the Army’s exemplary gesture spoke volumes of its unwavering commitment to the overall well-being of the people.
He said that the facility is a true example of visionary military-civil responsibility.
According to him, it represents a great addition to our healthcare infrastructure rejuvenation and will serve this community to complement the efforts of the government.
Otti said that the government would ensure the staffing of the facility with qualified health personnel.
In a speech, the Chief of Army Staff(COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said the Nigerian Army had continued to strengthen its non-kinetic lines of operations through the execution of civil military cooperation projects across the country.
Oluyede, represented by Maj.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army, said the project and other similar efforts were deliberately aimed at giving back to the society.
He said that it was meant to complement the infrastructural development efforts undertaken by the state, Federal and other stakeholders.
COAS said: “We have intensified efforts at contributing to the infrastructural development at the local communities nationwide to enhance the quality of life of our people.
“Over 200 similar projects have been undertaken across the six geopolitical zones across the auspices of my special intervention, civil-military cooperation as well as numerous other quick impact projects.”
In a remark, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibueze said that the project facilitated by Maj.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, was built and equiped as part of the army’s objectives of achieving national security.
Responding,the community’s traditional ruler, Eze Moses Okwale, the Chieze III of Umuchieze, expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army for the kind gesture.
He pledged the community’s commitment to its maintenance, growth and excellence.
NAN further reports that the facility powered by solar system comprises a broad range of fully equipped medical units and administrative office designed to support maternal and child health.(NAN)
