Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Navy has extended comprehensive medical and educational support to residents of Akpor Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, as part of its 2025 end-of-year outreach activities.
The programme, held at Ozuoba Town Hall, was facilitated by the Nigerian Navy Hospital Borikiri and the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Port Harcourt.
It featured medical consultations, deworming, blood screenings, vaccinations for children, dental checks, eye examinations with free medicated glasses, and distribution of mosquito nets. Educational materials, including books and writing supplies, were also handed to local students.
The outreach drew community leaders including the Paramount Ruler of Akpor Kingdom, HRM Eze Ozonwuonwu Levi Oriebe, the Akpor Youth President, and other traditional and civic representatives.
Declaring the outreach open, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chigozie Okehie, represented by Navy Commander Samuel Uchenna, reiterated the Navy’s dedication to host communities.
“The Nigerian Navy regularly organizes outreaches to host communities in her efforts to enhance robust civil-military cooperation. The Nigerian Navy commitment to her Corporate Social Responsibilities is a key priority in the vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, which aims at synergy and addressing basic concerns of the Nigerian Navy host communities.”
“The Nigerian Navy has outlined several programs to mark end of the year activities. This outreach is therefore organised as part of the activities and also to serve Nigerian Navy’s corporate social responsibility objective.
“Ozuoba community was chosen for this year’s rhapsody because of her social and economic relevance to national development as well as her peaceful co-existence with the Nigerian Navy.
“The outreach is meant to provide free primary health care services and some selected secondary health care services to the wonderful people of this community and beyond. Furthermore, educational materials will be distributed to our children.”
The Paramount Ruler of Akpor Kingdom, Eze Ozonwuonwu Levi Oriebe, described the outreach as historic.
He said, “I am very happy for what the Nigerian Navy has done. This has never happened before in Akpor Kingdom, but we are happy that God has remembered us today. We pray that God blesses the Navy for putting smiles on our faces.”
Beneficiaries also lauded the initiative by the Nigerian Navy. Mrs Rita, one of the beneficiaries of the free medical outreach, expressed delight that the Navy “decided to give back to society.”
Mrs. Emmanuel urged for more frequent visits, saying, “I am so happy I want to urge them to come from time to time, so more Akpor sons and daughters can also benefit.”
Uche noted the impact on literacy and community health, “We are happy that the Nigerian Navy brought this free medical mission and educational materials to Akpor. This will further encourage literacy in Akpor and also boost education and health of the people.”
The outreach underscores the Nigerian Navy’s growing role in community development, complementing its security mandate with impactful corporate social responsibility initiatives that directly benefit host communities.
