From: Rose Ejembi, Makurdi
As part of activities marking the 53rd Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Day Celebration, a two-day medical outreach has been organised at Akile Village on Kilometre 15, Makurdi-Gboko Road, Benue State.
Speaking during the flag off of the event, on Wednesday, Chairman, Organising Committee for the 2017 NAF Day celebration, AVM Isiaka Amao said the medical outreach was one of the ways the NAF was giving back to its host communities.
“This is part of our corporate social responsibility and a way of giving back to our host community. It is a yearly event and this year, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has graciously allowed us to carry out the medical outreach for two days to reach out to more people.”
He explained further that medical personnel would be on ground to attend to the medical needs of members of the community in the areas of HIV testing, dental section, eye clinic as well as give drugs and eye glasses.
While noting that whatever ailment cannot be handled during the medical outreach would be transferred to the NAF Hospital, Amao stressed that treatment would be carried out free of charge.
Also speaking, Director Humanitarian Services NAF Headquarters, Abuja, Air Cdr. Harold Onyechi, urged the people of the community to avail themselves of opportunity being offered them to check and treat themselves where necessary.
In a remark, Traditional Ruler of the area, Zaki Ioryina Ukagye who spoke through the Headmaster of the village school, Alphonsus Yogbo thanked NAF for finding his community worthy of the free medical services and assured that his people would cooperate with the medical personnel for a successful programme.
Daily Sun observed that no fewer than 200 villagers attended the medical outreach on the first day.