Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — More than 1,500 residents of Rumuolumeni Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State received free medical treatment on Tuesday during a one-day medical outreach organized by the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Pathfinder.
The exercise, which was part of the 2025 Nigerian Navy Week Celebration and Operation Delta Sanity II, provided diagnosis and treatment for malaria, high blood pressure, blood sugar issues, and also screened residents for Hepatitis B and C, diabetes mellitus, and urinary tract infections.
Vitamin A supplements, deworming medication, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and other essential drugs were also distributed, particularly targeting women and children.
Speaking at the Rumuoluemeni community townhall where the outreach was held, Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Nnabuchi Aniaku, said the initiative was in line with the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to its corporate social responsibility, as directed by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
As part of its non-kinetic engagements, the Nigerian Navy pledged to continue providing essential services that uplift host communities, even as it maintains its core mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial waters.
Aniaku emphasized that this was not the first of such gesture by the Navy in Rumuolumeni community.
“In line with the 2025 Navy Week Celebration to mark the 69th Nigerian Navy Anniversary, NNS Pathfinder deemed it fit to organize a medical rhapsody in our host community as part of our CSR and non-kinetic line of operations under Operation Delta Sanity II.
“NNS Pathfinder had organized Educational Rhapsody in October 2024 and Medical Rhapsody in December 2024. As you all know, health is wealth and no community develops without good health.
This brings to the fore the importance the Nigerian Navy places on giving back to society. Our mandate goes beyond safeguarding our waters, we are equally committed to the safety, health, and development of the people in riverine communities like Rumuolumeni.”
The Commodore stressed the importance of civil-military relations and expressed hope that the outreach would significantly impact the health needs of residents.
The gesture drew praise from the community’s leadership, as the Paramount Ruler of Rumuorlumeni, HRH Eze Elvis Chukwuemeka Okocha Orlumeni, represented by the Chairman of Rumuolumeni Council of Chiefs, Eze Chinedu Nyeche Onunwo, applauded the Navy for its consistency.
“This is a very good thing that the community and residents appreciate. They have done such before. The Navy Ship Pathfinder is trying. We appreciate it. They carried out a similar programme last year and this year they are here again. We commend them and urge them to continue the good gesture. We assure them of our full cooperation.”
Beneficiaries also shared their gratitude;
Mrs. Joy Samuel, a resident of Rumuorlumeni community said the free distribution of mosquito nets came at a crucial time.
“This rainy season, mosquito is really disturbing us and I have been wanting to buy this net but no money. Today it was given to me free of charge. I want to thank them immensely.”
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Loveth Amadi, said she had been on her way to a hospital when she saw the Navy’s banner.
“I said let me come and see what is happening, and here I have received the treatment I wanted to get in the hospital. God bless them,” she said.
