The Nigerian Navy’s Naval Base Oguta in Imo State has conducted a free medical and educational outreach for residents of Izombe Community as part of commitment to  public health and community development in its area of operation.

The programme featured free medical consultations, health screenings, treatment of minor ailments and the distribution of essential medications to beneficiaries and health education.

Medical personnel also conducted blood tests and provided counselling services for  pregnant women and senior citizens while beneficiaries received educational materials, stationaries, sanitary pads and other relief items.

The outreach, held at Izombe Commercial Secondary School on Thursday, formed part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary celebration and drew participation from traditional rulers, community leaders, students, women and other residents, who benefited from free medical services, health education and the distribution of relief materials.

The Base Medical Officer, Sub-Lieutenant Fidelis James, delivered health sensitisation lectures on the dangers and prevention of drug abuse among students, as well as hypertension management for pregnant women and elderly members of the community.

Addressing participants, the Commander of Naval Base Oguta, Commodore Sabo Tanko Lengaya, said the initiative was designed to strengthen civil-military relations, promote welfare and foster closer ties with host communities in line with the Nigerian Navy’s non-kinetic approach to enhancing security across the country.

The Commander explained the Nigerian Navy is not only a fighting force on the waterways and territorial waters but as part of the communities it serve, noting that security goes beyond the absence of conflict and includes good health, dignity and wellbeing of citizens.

Lengaya noted that the outreach was aimed at providing immediate healthcare support while also promoting preventive health practices through education and awareness campaigns.

“We hope that these services will contribute positively to the health and wellbeing of members of this community. This is our small contribution to ease the burden on your health facilities and to show that we see you as family, not just neighbours,” he stated.

He stressed that the programme was not a one-off intervention but part of the Navy’s broader civil-military relations mandate aimed at building trust, fostering stronger community relations and supporting the Federal Government’s grassroots development efforts.

Lengaya said as the Navy commemorates its seven decades of service to the nation, it remains committed to supporting the wellbeing of the host communities beyond its core maritime security responsibilities.

The Commander urged residents to take advantage of the services provided and adhere to the advice of healthcare professionals, noting that prevention and early detection remain essential for maintaining good health.

He also commended the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for his leadership and commitment to personnel welfare and effective civil-military cooperation, which he said had made community-focused initiatives such as the outreach possible.

Lengaya said his guidance continues to inspire the Nigerian Navy’s efforts towards building stronger relationships with host communities while contributing meaningfully to national development.

Lengaya also commended the people of Izombe for their support towards the Naval Base Oguta and pledged that the Navy would continue to undertake initiatives that improve the quality of life of residents to strengthening the bond that exists.

Residents who benefited from the outreach expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Navy and the Naval base leadership for bringing healthcare services closer to the community, describing the intervention as timely and impactful.