The Nigerian Army has inaugurated a remodelled Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) and staff quarters in Olugbo, Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun.

Speaking during the inauguration on Thursday, the Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen.

Olufemi Oluyede, reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to collaborating with communities to promote infrastructural development.

He explained that the scheme introduced to provide support to communities of serving senior officers was a way of giving back to society.

Oluyede, represented by the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Maj. – Gen. Baba Yahaya, emphasised that the project’s goal was to support government’s efforts.

“I must say that the projects executed by the Nigerian Army are not intended to compete with or subdue the responsibilities of government but to complement their efforts.

“It will also enhance the quality of life of the people,” he said.

Earlier, Maj. – Gen. Adekunle Adeyinka, Commander Corps of Supply and Transportation,

Disclosed that the restored facility would effectively provide primary health care service to over 62 communities and more than 8,000 persons.

Adeyinka noted that the selection was based on necessity and its expected impacts.

He urged the people of Olugbo community to make the most out of it by ensuring it was adequately protected and maintained.

He appealed to the state’s Ministry of Health to increase the centre’s workforce by adding a doctor, two midwives, two pharmacists, two laboratory technicians and a health attendant, to optimise the delivery of healthcare service.

In his remarks, the Speaker,Ogun Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, praised the Army’s kind gesture, saying that it was important to always give back to communities.

In a similar vein, the Chairman, Odeda Local Government, Folashade Adeyemo, noted that

Access to quality health was not a necessity but a right.

Adeyemo added that the facility was a significant step toward providing affordable healthcare to all.

She urged all well-meaning individuals to contribute and support the state government, saying “the government alone can’t provide facilities to all”.

A 38-year-old driver, Farouq Babanle, was arraigned on Thursday before a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing charcoal worth N730, 000.

The defendant, whose address was not provided, is facing two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Nov 12, at Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to Leo, the defendant was given charcoal worth N730, 000 to transport from Kachia to customers in Kawo Kaduna.

The prosecutor stated that the defendant stole the charcoal, sold it and diverted the proceeds to his personal use.

He added that after stealing the charcoal, the defendant ran to an unknown destination until he was seen and arrested on Nov. 20, at Rigasa Kaduna.

He said the offence contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Emmanuel said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must furnish the court with proof of tax payment to the Kaduna State Government.

He adjourned the case until Dec. 19, for hearing.

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, Akwa Ibom, has arrested three suspected drug dealers and impounded illicit drugs worth N500m.

The Commanding Officer of the Base, Capt. Uche Aneke disclosed this on Thursday while handing over the contraband drugs and industrial chemicals to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Nigeria Customs Service.

Aneke said the suspects were arrested in a boat on Monday at about 11:50 am during a routine patrol around the Bendero and Uta Uyata general area.

“The boat was laden with over 125 sacks of industrial chemicals (crystalline ammonia) and 62 cartons of different brands of contraband drugs.

“These included 820 tubes of Pethidine (containing opium) and 24,800 bottles of Codeine syrup, en route to Nigeria from the Republic of Cameroon with the intention of smuggling the controlled substances into Nigeria,” Aneke said.

He warned individuals or groups planning to engage in any form of criminality in Nigerian waters to desist or face the consequences.

Aneke said that under the current leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the FOB Ibaka remained resolute in ensuring that maritime crimes are effectively eradicated in the coastal areas of Akwa Ibom.

Receiving the suspects and contraband drugs, Mr Monday Jatau, the Deputy State Commander in charge of Operations and Training of the NDLEA in Akwa Ibom, said the agency would prosecute the suspects after further investigation.

Also receiving the industrial chemicals on behalf of NCS, Mr Abdulkadir Abubakar, a Deputy Superintendent, commended the Nigerian Navy for their sustained support in the fight against criminals.