The 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Benin on Friday embarked on a medical outreach to some communities in Edo as part of activities marking the 161th anniversary of the Nigerian Army.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach attracted beneficiaries from Ehor and some neighbouring communities in Uhunmwonde Local Government of the state.
The brigade also donated writing materials to several public and private primary schools in Benin City and Ehor Township.
The benefiting schools include Aruosa Primary School, Eguade Primary School, Freedom Group of School, Idia Modern Primary School and Odogbo Primary School.
Others are Akugbe Primary School and NAOWA Model Nursery and Primary School, Ekehuan Barracks, in Benin city.
The Commander of the Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Emmanuel Oduyebo, said the donation was to show the beneficiaries that the Army was not all about combat.
“Today is very important to the Nigerian Army. As you are aware, the Nigerian Army clocks 161 years as an institution.
“Since then, we have been keeping the peace and ensuring the unity of the country.
“The Chief of Army Staff wants us to show the world that the Nigerian Army is not just about violence, we also have the other human aspects of us.
“That is why we are carrying out educational and medical outreach today.
Brig.-Gen. Oduyebo said the brigade would dedicate the grand finale of the celebration to the fallen heroes in the service.
“We want to show them that their loved ones may no longer be with us, but we have not forgotten them.
“We will continue to care for them and their children, to complement what the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja is doing,” he said.
Speaking on activities of the Army Regiment stationed at Ehor, Gen. Oduyebo noted that it haf curtailed criminal activities in the axis.
According to him, Ehor was renowned for criminal activities in the state, such as kidnapping, armed robbery and others, which the army presence has been able to curtailed.
“We thought that if we could donate these books to the children and the medical outreach, we will further win the hearts of the people and they will have the confidence to share intelligence with us.
“We accept we cannot do it all alone, everybody has a part to play, the children, the adult, everybody has to be carried along,” the brigadier general said.
The Chairman of Uhunmwonde Local Government, Mr Kenneth Adodo, commended the officers and men of the 4 Brigade for the generous donations and medical outreach.
Adodo said the security of the area had improved tremendously since the deployment of the operatives to the community. (NAN)