By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The 7 Division of the Nigerian Army Headquarters Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri has carried out a one day medical outreach and food items distribution to 500 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Madinatu IDPs Camp and residents of Madinatu Community on Monday to mark Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2021.
Flagging off the medical outreach and distribution of food items, The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), Brigadier General Abdulwahab A. Eyitayo, said the event is an annual event which is being observed in honour of gallant fallen heroes and troops at the war front to appreciate them darely.
He added that the event this year started with a press briefing by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Umar Farouq Yahaya at the NA Headquarters Abuja and in Maiduguri, it started with a special prayer on Friday at the Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri Central Mosque and Sunday, another special prayer was organized at the Cantonment Chaplain churches for the fallen heroes and gallant troops.
The GOC, further explained that the NA celebration continued on Monday with a medical outreach and distribution of food for the Madinatu IDPs and residents while on Tuesday, there would be environmental sanitation exercise by officers and soldiers to clear roads and drainage along Baga Road Maiduguri.
On her part, The President National Army Officers Association (NAOWA), Mrs. Maryam A. Abdulwahab, said that similar event was organized for the wives of the fallen heroes at the barracks to empower them and alleviate their sufferings.
She also thanked the GOC for his support and encouragement to NAOWA while pledging to continue to play their role as mothers to support and encourage their husbands, wives of officers and soldiers
A Madinatu community representative and leader, Shiekh Hashimu Abulfatihi, expressed appreciation and thanked the GOC for the gestures, while assuring to continue to support the military always in assisting the needy and less privileged.
One of the beneficiaries, Fati Musty, aged 63 from Jere LGC living at the camp, thanked the military for their support and prayed God to protect and guide them all.
While a resident of Madinatu Community, Malam Bappa Ahmad, aged 76 years said”, I remain grateful to God and the Army for coming to assist us at this material time of need. My happiness can not be over emphasized.”
Highlights of the celebrations were inspection of all the mounted medical outreach camps by the GOC and NAOWA Chairperson along with senior officers and members of 7 Division and executive members of NA, symbolic distribution of food items to IDPs and host community including the physically challenged persons, both men and women.
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