The Nigerian Navy has handed over two newly built health facilities to the Lagos State Government for the Ikate Primary Health Centre in the Ikate-Elegushi area. The facilities, a Dental Clinic and Heart-to-Heart Centre, were inaugurated on Wednesday as part of the Navy's civil-military cooperation and community intervention initiatives. The handover ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, who represented the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
The Chief of the Naval Staff's Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme aims to address critical community needs while fostering stronger relationships between the Armed Forces and the people they serve. Rear Admiral Mustapha said the intervention reflected the Navy's commitment to supporting projects that improve the welfare of communities. He noted that the facilities would expand access to specialised healthcare services for residents of the community and surrounding areas.
The Dental Clinic is expected to improve access to oral healthcare services, while the Heart-to-Heart Centre will provide an environment for HIV-related counselling and antiretroviral treatment services. Rear Admiral Mustapha urged members of the community to protect and maintain the facilities to ensure they remained useful to present and future generations. He commended Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira for identifying the healthcare needs of the community and facilitating the project.
Rear Admiral Mustapha acknowledged the contributions of the Lagos State Government, the traditional institution, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, community leaders, contractors, the project team, and other stakeholders involved in the project. He said the collaboration demonstrated that partnerships between government institutions, the military, and local communities could produce interventions capable of supporting sustainable development.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Special Adviser on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, said the intervention underscored the importance of making essential healthcare services accessible within communities. Dr Ogunyemi said healthcare delivery should not be limited to the construction of hospitals, but should also focus on ensuring that residents could obtain essential services close to where they live.
The commissioning represents another intervention by the Nigerian Navy under its civil-military cooperation programme, with an emphasis on addressing community needs beyond the Navy's conventional security responsibilities. Rear Admiral Mustapha assured that the Nigerian Navy would continue to support initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security, development, and social cohesion across the country.
The handover ceremony marks a significant milestone in the Navy's efforts to support community development. The facilities are expected to provide healthcare benefits to residents for many years, improving the quality of life and socio-economic development of the community.
Key points
- The Nigerian Navy hands over health facilities to improve healthcare services in the Ikate-Elegushi area.
- The facilities aim to expand access to specialised healthcare services for residents of the community and surrounding areas.
- The intervention reflects the Navy's commitment to supporting projects that improve the welfare of communities.
