Navy Extends Free Healthcare Support to Lagos Pupils and Parents

The Nigerian Navy has extended free medical services and educational support to hundreds of pupils and parents in Lagos as part of activities marking the Navy’s 70th anniversary celebration.

The outreach programme, organised by NNS BEECROFT, benefited over 1,000 people, including pupils of the Nigerian Navy Primary School and parents from surrounding communities.

The initiative was led by Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, who explained that the programme reflects the Navy’s commitment to humanitarian service and stronger relationships with host communities.

The medical outreach featured free consultations, diagnosis, treatment, deworming exercises, and the distribution of treated mosquito nets to pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children. Naval medical personnel also educated beneficiaries on proper hygiene practices and responsible citizenship.

Speaking during the event, Commodore Adams-Aliu said the exercise was specially designed to support vulnerable families and improve child healthcare within the community. He noted that adults diagnosed with medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes received free medications, including anti-malaria drugs, antibiotics, blood pressure medication, and other treatments.

According to him, both children and adults were given appropriate medical care based on their health conditions and age requirements. Severe medical cases requiring advanced treatment would be referred to the Obisesan Naval Medical Hospital for additional attention.

The Navy commander disclosed that hundreds of pupils and parents had already been registered and attended to during the exercise. He added that the focus on children this year was intentional because many pupils of the school come from neighbouring civilian communities and not only naval families.

Adams-Aliu described the programme as part of the Navy’s non-kinetic operations aimed at building public trust and strengthening ties with local communities. He also highlighted the history of the Nigerian Navy, explaining that the force was established on June 1, 1956, and has grown into one of Africa’s leading maritime security agencies.

He further revealed that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, directed naval commands nationwide to organise community support programmes in celebration of the Navy’s 70th anniversary. Under the supervision of the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, NNS BEECROFT selected the school for the outreach programme.

The commander assured residents that similar medical and educational support initiatives would continue in other schools and communities in the coming weeks.

Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association, Oluwasegun Kelani, praised the initiative, describing it as timely and beneficial to the health of pupils, parents, and residents of Apapa. He noted that the school, established in 1976 as the first welfare primary school of the Nigerian Navy, would celebrate its 50th anniversary in June.

One of the beneficiaries, Martina Iheagwam, commended the Navy for extending free healthcare services to both pupils and parents, saying the programme had positively impacted many families.