The National President of Naval Officers Wives Association (NOWA) Hajiya Nana Aisha Gambo, has commissioned Officers’, Children’s Maternity Ward Extension At Nigerian Navy Sickbay, Okokomaiko.
 
NOWA President who couldn’t contain her joy said that the project was a major milestone not only to the Nigerian Navy, but to the Nation in general.

In her speech, she said; “I am indeed delighted to be in your midst this morning as the Special Guest of Honour for the Commissioning Ceremony of the Officer’s, Children’s and Maternity wards extension of the Nigerian Navy Sickbay, Okokomaiko.
 
“Given the perennial shortage of operational healthcare Centres in Nigeria, today’s ceremony is a major milestone not only to the Nigerian Navy, but to the Nation in general.
 
“Being healthy is one of the basic necessities of human existence. The great Mahatma Gandhi once said “Health is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver”. Without good health, the Nigerian Navy would not be able to act upon the mandate. Which is to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
 
“Hence, the commitment to provide better health care for its personnel by building Hospitals and sickbays.
 
“As a home-keeper and mother, I identify with this maxim. Conscious of this fact, I commend the efforts of the Nigerian Navy in the provision of adequate and appropriate medical facilities for naval families and members of the immediate communities.
 
“I observe with deep satisfaction that despite competing demands on limited resources, the Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (Admiralty Medal) my ever supportive husband, has made concrete efforts at addressing the medical challenges in the Service. What we are witnessing today is a reflection of these efforts.
 
“It is therefore a privilege for me to have commissioned these wards to the Glory of Almighty Allah and the progress of the Nigerian Navy and the general public. It is anticipated that this milestone will further solve the medical shortfalls being experienced in the Nigerian Navy barracks.
 
“I want to use this opportunity to commend the efforts of the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command (Rear Admiral YB Wambai) and all the personnel who have directly or indirectly contributed to the actualization of this project.
 
“Furthermore, I want to plead with those charged with the maintenance and administration of this facility, to kindly ensure this facility is judiciously and efficiently used to fulfill its object without bias or favoritism. 
 
“On this note, I say thank you all for your presence, and may Almighty Allah bless us all. NOWA, Sail in Unison.” She said.
 
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command who commended the project said the Sickbay’s primary mandate is to ensure that personnel and their families’ health care needs are adequately catered for.
 
In his speech, he said; “I am pleased to welcome you to the Nigerian Navy Sickbay Okokomaiko. I also pleased to be part of the ceremony to commission a remodelled building comprising officers’ ward, children’s ward and maternity extension.
 
“The Sickbay’s primary mandate is to ensure that personnel and their families’ health care needs are adequately catered for.  It is our dream and desire to provide the best health care services possible in the country and abroad. 
 
“This seems like a tall dream, considering the challenges the Sickbay faces in manpower, equipment and resources, but with God, all things are achievable. 
 
“We know the Naval Authorities cannot do or provide everything based on the current realities on ground, consequently, the hospital greatly benefits from generous gifts by well-meaning groups and individuals in itching towards her goal. 
 
“One group which has constantly shown they mean well for the NN Medical facilities and want them to be better than it is by contributing their quota is the Naval Officers’ Wives Association. 
 
“It is to be recalled that the President Naval Officers’ Wives Association visited the Sickbay in 2021 for her familiarization tour. During the tour she promised to donate some medical equipment required for an upgrade of NNSB Okokomaiko.
 
“This was aimed at improving the quality of care rendered at the Sickbay. In view of this, the NOWA President graciously donated 4 beds/mattresses, 4 bedside lockers, 2 patient monitors, one resuscitate, 2 bedside fridges and 2 coloured television sets to the Sickbay in Apr 22.
 
“These equipment have been installed in a newly acquired building. The building has also been renovated and remodeled to fit into the operations of officers’ ward, children’s ward and a maternity extension.
 
“I therefore, make bold to state that this is further testimony to the determination of the Naval Officers’ Wives Association to continuously improve on the healthcare needs of Nigerian Navy personnel and family.
 
“For this we are indeed grateful. May the Almighty bless you all for your kind gestures. May His love shine upon us all, so that we may continue to show love and treat each other with kindness. 
 
“We know we can always count on your support and contributions in making this Sickbay, the Sickbay of our dreams. I also want to use this opportunity to ask you to help us in making the Sickbay better in rendering services as the new equipment become fully operational by letting us know of any lapses you notice or ways we can do some things better. 
 
“Our doors are always open; I assure you that your complaints and suggestions would be taken seriously. Thank you once again and God bless you all. Onward Together.” He said.
 
The Commander, Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Ojo in his speech said; “May I on behalf of the officers, ratings and civilian staff of the Nigerian Navy SickBay Okokomaiko gladly welcome the Special Guest of Honour, National President of the Naval Officers’ Wives Association and all our distinguished invited guests to the commissioning ceremony of a building complex.
 
The complex comprises officers’ ward, children’s ward and a maternity extension.
 
“We are indeed most delighted that the National President of the Naval Officers’ Wives Association found it very auspicious to personally commission this project at Nigerian Navy Sickbay Okokomaiko. Madam, we deeply appreciate this kind gesture.
 
“In pursuit of the provision of medical services for personnel, the Nigerian Navy has built several medical facilities in different locations across the country.
 
“But, as the Service continues to expand, the need for more social amenities and upgrade of some medical facilities also continue to persist. Hence, efforts are being constantly made to meet this demand within the limits of available resources.
 
“It is worthy of note to state that the Naval Officers’ Wives Association has assisted in this regards by constantly donating some medical equipment to achieve these set objectives.
 
“This Nigerian Navy Sickbay Okokomaiko project that is about to be commissioned today is a project that was conceived 2 years ago.
 
“This was aimed at upgrading the sickbay and expanding its services rendered to NN personnel at Okokomaiko and its environs. The actualization of this project has been with the assistance of the Naval Officers’ Wives Association through the donation of some medical equipment. 
 
“It is to be noted that the building was recently allocated to the Sickbay by NNS WEY and has been remodelled to fit into the operations of officers’ ward, children’s ward and maternity ward.
 
“I am therefore, very glad to announce to you that this journey of over 2 years has finally come to an end, as the project is completed and ready for commissioning today.
 
“It is hoped that the coming on stream of this project at Nigerian Navy Sickbay Okokomaiko will further enhance the provision of medical service to personnel of the Nigerian Navy in particular and Nigerian citizens in general.
 
“Before I conclude this address permit me to seize this opportunity to once again thank the National President of Naval Officers’ Wives Association and to everyone that has contributed in one way or the other towards the achievement of this project, I say a big thank you.
 
“Finally, to all of you that have honoured our invitation to attend this commissioning ceremony, I say I am very grateful, thank you very much, God bless us all. Onward Together!”