By Desmond Ejibas
Oyibo (Rivers) – The Nigeria Army, on Wednesday donated relief items and education materials to widows, orphans, and students in about eight communities in Okirika and Oyibo councils, Rivers.
The items donated included bags of rice, bags of garri, cartons of noodles, toiletries, sewing machines, exercise books and writing materials.
Presenting the palliatives, Brig.-Gen. Edet Effiong, Commander of Garrison, 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, said the army distributed the items to aid its ongoing Operation Still Waters in Rivers.
He said the donation to widows, students and orphanage homes was borne out of the desire to show love and care to the less privileged and the needy in society.
“The donation of the palliatives started after the flag-off of Operation Still Waters which commenced in October – which the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja directed.
“The distribution is part of the decision by the army to consolidate on the existing military/civil relations which is an integral part of activities of Operation Still Water.
“So, we are here as part of the non-kinetic approach of the exercise aimed to build cooperation with the host communities for safety of both the state and Niger Delta,” he said.
Effiong said the operation was usually flagged off at the fourth quarter of the year, to clear the state and region of ‘bag eggs’ before, during and after the yuletide.
“We don not only fight (criminals) but also do engage in sound administration and support of our own.
“Our responsibility is not limited to kinetic force (warfare) but also comprises non-kinetic (civil/military relations) exercises.
“This exercise allows us to access and relate more closely with civilians, to let them (people) know that we are not always at war but also their friends,” he added.
The army commander said the army also decided to present relief items to residents to cushion the current economic hardship, especially during the holiday season.
Effiong cautioned secondary school students in the various communities to be discipline and shun the use of hard drugs and other banned substances that could impact negatively on their future.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the schools visited were Community Secondary School, Ogbogbo, Okirika; Government Girls’ College, Okrima; Community Secondary School, Umuakpahu, Oyibo.
Others are Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, Port Harcourt, among others. (NAN)
