The Nigerian Navy through the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) on Saturday reached out to another set of 250 households in Ota as part of its 64th anniversary.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that items contained in the palliatives include rice, beans, vegetable oil, condiments, hand sanitisers, gloves and face masks.
Rear Adm. Idowu Yusuf, the Acting Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of NAVTRAC was in the community on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) and the new FOC of NAVTRAC.
Yusuf accompanied by senior naval officers paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Olota of Ota Land.
He also proceeded to the palace of the Baale of Idota Titun Land in Otun Ota where the palliatives were presented.
He said that the palliatives was to appreciate one of its host communities which host the Navy School of Music during this pandemic period.
He said that the gesture also represented part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and to improve the Civil-Military relation.
“The Nigerian Navy traditionally celebrates its Anniversary with fanfare and pageant commencing with the activities at the end of May every year climaxing in the Navy Day on June 1.
“The week-long Anniversary celebration provides an opportunity for showcasing the various achievements of the NN and to demonstrate the Navy’s capabilities.
“Several host communities were selected by the Chief of Naval Staff to appreciate the outstanding cooperation and collaboration given to the NN,” he said.
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Yusuf said that the global pandemic made the Navy to modify this year’s anniversary which resulted to giving palliatives to communities.
“The current global COVID-19 pandemic affecting the country has made the NN to modify this year’s celebrations.
“This informed the selection of Idota Tuntun Community as one of the several communities to benefit from the CNS palliatives to alleviate hardship caused by this global pandemic on our citizens.
“The palliatives is designed to assist 250 households with assorted food, PPE. I want to reiterate that COVID-19 is real.
“Consequently some of the active measures to curtail the virus include washing of hands with soap and water, avoiding touching of face, nose or eyes with your hands and maintaining social distance,” he said.
The Acting FOC, however, appreciated the contribution of Olota of Ota and the various Baales for the cordial relationship enjoyed by the Commanding Officer and the staff of the Navy.
Abdulakeem Odunaro, the Onikotun of Otun Ota, who represented the Olota of Ota, Oba Abdulkabir Obalanlege, appreciated the Navy for remembering his community.
“The NN has always been there for us. We appreciate the NN for remembering us, it’s one of the biggest since we have been receiving palliatives.
“We want to appreciate the CNS, the FOC of NAVTRAC for reaching out to us,” he said.
NAN reports that the Western Naval Command had also reached out to two host communities of Imoore and Alayabiagba in Lagos state.
