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FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2012
They have done their best for the people of the community and student of the school because no government has done this. The community and school have gained because we were under malaria infection
•The Naval team with the school principal and other community members
Navy provides free medical treatment in Bayelsa
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S part of activities marking the 56th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy, the Central Naval Command has conducted free medical treatment for students of Community Secondary School, Agudama Epie, and other residents of the community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state. Speaking at the event, the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Real Admiral John Olutoyin said the free medical treatment has always being part of the Nigerian Navy’s outreach to their host communities. Olutoyin noted that apart from ensuring the safety of lives in their various areas of responsibility, the Nigerian Navy gives free medical treatment as part of the activities to mark their week in which over 500 persons are treated. Mrs. Caroline John Adume, Principal of the School commended the Navy. “So many people could not go for check-up or treatment for lack of money but the free treatment has given many people the opportunity to check their health status,” she said. Other beneficiaries of the exercise who spoke in the same vein included Mr. Simeon Otiomodiomo, who said the gesture of the Nigerian Navy has enabled them to get free drugs and be checked for vari-
From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa
ous ailments including malaria, hypertension and blood sugar. They really tried”. Mrs. Pere Commander who could not hide her joy appealed for more of such free treatments. Mrs. Lucky Febai, a housewife, said the exercise was okay. “I have gotten some drugs from them. God bless the people who organised it,” she prayed. “They have done their best for the people of the community and student of the school because no government has done this. The community and school have gained because we were under malaria infection,” said Mr. Walson Sample, a senior staff of the school. The Command had an inter-denominational church service at the St. Peters Church in Yenagoa to usher in the week-long activities. In an interview with journalists shortly after the chirch service, Olutoyin who explained the significance of the anniversary celebrations to the people of Bayelsa State, said: “It brings to fore the fact that the Nigerian Navy has come to stay in this state”. He added that since the Navy’s arrival in the state, it has been able to contribute to combating the se-
•A resident is tested by the medical team ries of illegal activities in the waterways in conjunction with other arms of security services in the
state. As long as the Navy is in the state and the region at large, the Flag
Officers says the Command will continue to secure the environment for those out to do legal business.
Lagos council to pay the elderly N10,000 monthly
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HE Chairman of Surulere Local Government in Lagos State, Hon. Tajudeen Ajide, has said his administration is planning to financially assist the elderly in the area by giving them N10,000 monthly allowance.
•From right: Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon Cornelius Ojelabi; Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Information, Lateef Raji; Commissioner for Health, Hon Jide Idris and Commissioner for Information, Hon Lafeef Ibirogba during the monthly Town Hall meeting held at the state Secretariat, Alausa
By Tokunbo Ogunsami
Ajide, who was speaking about the programmes of his administration for the people of the local government, said all hands are on deck to actualise the plan of paying the elderly N10,000 monthly. He said residents of the council area should pay their levies, rates and taxes regularly to enable the government have enough money to implement the projects it has lined up for them. “We need money to put in place the good things of life for the residents of this local government. This is why we have increased our revenue generation capacity. “Initially, we had six revenue collectors, but they are now 30 in number. We are focused and determined to make life better for the residents of Surulere Local Government. No amount of blackmail will debar us from doing this,” Ajide said. The local government chairman denied the allegation levelled against him by some revenue col-
lectors in a newspaper publication (not The Nation). He said the allegation is a figment of their imagination. According to him, he increased the number of revenue collectors to 30 in order to boost the revenue drive of the council “so that we will have enough money to implement the programmes we have for the residents of Surulere Local Government.” Ajide said by increasing the number of revenue collectors from six to 30, his administration is also creating employment for youths. He said: “Our detractors should realise that this administration is bent on improving the lives of Surulere Council residents. There are 44 primary and secondary schools in this local government, the highest in the country. We need money to assist the dynamic Governor Babatunde Fashola administration in running these schools. This is why we have boosted our revenue generation drive by increasing the number of revenue collectors.”