The Nigerian Navy, through the Naval Dockyard Limited, has extended free medical services to residents of Iru-Land, Lagos, as part of its corporate social responsibility to host communities.
The medical outreach, tagged 2025 Medical Rhapsody, held at the palace of the Oniru of Iru-Land, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, was aimed at providing healthcare support to residents who lack regular access to medical services.
The end of the year medical Rhapsody featured free medical consultation, free medication, eye check up, dental check up, blood sugar test, blood pressure check, malaria test and free HIV/AIDS screening.
Speaking at the event, the Admiral Superintendent of the Nigerian Navy Dockyard Limited, Lagos, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu, said the programme was designed to ease the burden of prevailing economic challenges by offering medical consultations, screening and treatment at no cost.
The Rear Admiral who was represented by Commodore Igbani Agwu the initiative reflected the Navy’s commitment to compassion, solidarity and good neighbourliness, especially towards communities hosting its facilities.
According to him, the relationship between the Naval Dockyard and Iru-Land dates back several decades, noting that the Navy has continued to contribute to the development and security of the community.
“The Dockyard engages traders and artisans within this area and also provides security, potable water and responds to fire emergencies within Iru-Land and beyond. Our medical centre is also open to residents of this community and others in Lagos for quality and affordable healthcare services,” he said.
He added that the core objective of the outreach was to provide medical care to individuals who might not be able to afford standard healthcare due to economic or social challenges.
“The primary aim of this noble exercise therefore is to provide vital healthcare services to individuals who may not have regular access to medical care due to economic or social barriers. This may have caused them to seek alternative treatments or care that would not have addressed the root causes of the illness and may have resulted in worsening conditions or negative repercussions. Indeed, through this outreach, our capable and experienced team of medical personnel would address the immediate healthcare needs of our deserving community members by offering medical consultations, screenings and essential treatments at zero cost to the beneficiaries.
Additionally, the Naval Dockyard Limited aims to raise awareness about preventive healthcare practices to promote overall well-being among the members of the community who need but do not have access to such medical screening and treatment by qualified practitioners. I am therefore most delighted to be in a position to facilitate this noble outreach as part of the Navy’s and the Yard’s contributions to improving community health, building trust and friendship as well as supporting the efforts of Lagos State and the Federal Government of Nigeria. This will, in no small measure, foster better cooperation among the Navy, the Yard and our dear Iru-Land.
Most importantly, our ultimate objective goes beyond the provision of immediate medical care. Indeed, we aspire to foster a lasting impact by empowering individuals to take charge of their health and encouraging more proactive approaches to wellness. By offering education on disease prevention, healthy lifestyle choices and access to available facilities, we are using this avenue to reach out and give back to the peace-loving and progressive people of Iru-Land”, he said.
Commending the Naval Dockyard Limited, the Oniru of Iru-Land, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, described the medical outreach as timely and impactful. He said the Navy had remained consistent in supporting the community through medical interventions and security collaboration, adding that the initiative had become an annual event.
“We had this programme last year around this period and I am happy that they have returned this year again. This medical outreach will benefit my people and I am encouraged by the level of commitment of the Nigerian Naval Dockyard Limited,” the monarch said.
The traditional ruler lauded the Navy’s role in securing the community, noting that peace was critical to development. He expressed hope for further collaboration in the area of youth empowerment, particularly through skills acquisition.
“We also want to see our youths benefit from the Dockyard’s skills acquisition programmes. We are already discussing logistics that will enable our young people to be empowered in areas the Dockyard is known for,” he added.