The Commandant of 174 Battalion, Nigeria Army, Odoguyan, Lagos, Lt-Col Muhammad Abdurrahaman, on Saturday advised residents of Ikorodu to eschew all forms of violence and use the festive season to reflect on Christ.
Abdurrahman gave the advice during a medical outreach conducted by the army in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that different tests, such as HIV, urine, malaria and blood sugar were conducted on beneficiaries, with some treated accordingly.
NAN also reports that mosquito nets and condoms were distributed.
Abdurrahman urged the residents to use the Yuletide to reflect on life, eschew violence and draw nearer to Christ.
“You should eschew all forms of violence, because it is not what the season is all about.
” Jesus is the reason for season, it also helps to bring people together to share memories and even spirituality,” the commandant said.
He said the medical outreach was part of Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) contribution to create unity, cooperation and understanding between the military, police and civilians.
Abdurrahman said that the military formations embarked on such ventures to reach out to the public to get their support and cooperation, in the interest of ensuring peace and security.
He said that 174 battalion recently conducted CIMIC activities on education, where different schools gathered in a competitive and novelty atmosphere to interact, share knowledge and test their educational development.
The commandant urged beneficiaries to share the information with others so that the objectives of the Nigerian Army would be achieved and the public would realise that the military was part of them.
“We have decided to conduct this outreach as a way of engaging with the public, which is premised on an exercise currently ongoing by the army.
“From what we have seen today with the turnout, we will continue to give it a wider spread to achieve the objectives of Nigerian Army.
“The beneficiaries should convey the message to others that Nigerian Army is part of the society.
“We are here to make the environment peaceful and secure for everybody, and to ensure that the public cooperate with us to establish a free and secure environment,” he said.
Earlier, The Ikorodu Local Government Chairman, Mr Wasiu Adesina, represented by Mr Lateef Afinni, Secretary of the council, promised to always collaborate with the military to enable them to carry out their civic responsibility.
Mrs Adebukola Osho, Iyaloja of Ikorodu Central and a beneficiary, lauded the efforts of the military.(NAN)
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