From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
For more than 500 residents of Erin-Ile and neighbouring communities in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, access to basic healthcare, received a major boost as the Nigerian Army brought free medical services directly to their doorstep.
The medical outreach, organised under the Army’s civil-military cooperation programme, offered residents a range of services including general medical consultations, dental and eye care, laboratory investigations, counselling, health education and free medications.
The exercise also featured preventive healthcare interventions, including the deworming of children and distribution of mosquito nets to selected women, in an effort to promote healthier living and reduce the risk of malaria and other preventable illnesses.
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Representing the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General Musa Awwal Etsu-Ndagi, said the outreach was part of the Army’s efforts to support communities where its personnel operate while strengthening mutual understanding between soldiers and civilians.
Etsu-Ndagi said the initiative demonstrated the Army’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians, stressing that civil-military cooperation was not limited to security operations but also included interventions capable of improving the quality of life in host communities.
He expressed appreciation to the people of Erin-Ile for accepting the outreach and encouraged residents to take full advantage of the medical services made available by the Army.
The Army chief’s representative disclosed that the Erin-Ile exercise was the third in a series of medical outreaches under the programme, with another intervention expected to be conducted as part of the initiative.
The half-day programme brought together medical personnel and residents, with children, women and other members of the community receiving attention for various health needs.
For the Elerin of Erin-Ile, His Royal Majesty Oba Jimoh Adebowale Adesoye (Adetona I), the intervention represented a significant gesture of goodwill towards rural residents who may face challenges accessing healthcare services.
The traditional ruler commended the Nigerian Army for choosing Erin-Ile as one of the communities to benefit from the programme, saying the exercise had brought medical attention closer to residents.
Oba Adesoye also appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, officers and personnel involved in the outreach, describing the initiative as beneficial to the community and capable of further strengthening the relationship between the Army and the people.
He urged residents to make proper use of the opportunity by accessing the available services and following the medical advice given by the healthcare professionals.
The impact of the intervention was also reflected in the reactions of beneficiaries who said the free treatment and medications provided relief to residents.
One of the beneficiaries, Abass Akegbeyala, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army for bringing medical services to the community, noting that residents were able to receive treatment without the financial burden that often accompanies healthcare.
Mrs Oladejo Omolayo, said she was satisfied with the attention she received from the medical team and appreciated the medication provided after her consultation.
Another beneficiary, Ademola Omo-Aweda, commended the medical personnel for their care and professionalism, while calling for the continuation of similar interventions in rural communities.
Beyond the immediate treatment of residents, the outreach offered an opportunity for the Army to deepen its engagement with the host community through a programme focused on health and wellbeing.
For Erin-Ile residents, the exercise therefore went beyond free consultations and medication, providing a practical demonstration of how civil-military cooperation can translate into direct support for communities and strengthen confidence between civilians and the military.
