No fewer than 600 pupils of the Nigerian Navy Primary School and about 400 parents benefitted from a free medical outreach and educational support programme organised by NNS BEECROFT as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary celebration.
The outreach, which was led by the Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, featured free medical consultations, diagnosis, treatment, deworming exercises, and the distribution of treated mosquito nets to pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children.
Naval personnel also educated beneficiaries on proper hygiene practices and responsible citizenship during the programme.
Speaking during the exercise, Commodore Adams-Aliu explained that the initiative reflected the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to humanitarian services and stronger civil-military relations within host communities.
According to him, the programme was specifically designed to support vulnerable families and underprivileged children, with special attention placed on child healthcare and wellbeing.
He disclosed that parents diagnosed with illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes were also given free medications, including anti-malaria drugs, antibiotics, anti-hypertensive medications, and oral hypoglycaemic treatments.
The commander stated that the decision to focus on children this year was intentional because many pupils attending the school come from neighbouring civilian communities and not solely from naval families.
He described the outreach as part of the Navy’s non-kinetic strategy aimed at building public trust and strengthening relationships with surrounding communities.
Reflecting on the history of the Nigerian Navy, Adams-Aliu noted that the service was established on June 1, 1956, as an offshoot of the Royal Navy and has since developed into one of Africa’s foremost maritime forces.
He added that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, directed naval commands and units nationwide to carry out community-focused programmes to commemorate the Navy’s 70th anniversary.
According to him, NNS BEECROFT selected the school for the outreach under the directive of the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha.
Adams-Aliu assured residents that similar humanitarian programmes would be extended to other schools and communities in the coming weeks.
Chairman of the school’s Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Oluwasegun Kelani, commended the initiative, describing it as beneficial and timely for pupils, parents, and residents of Apapa.
Kelani noted that the school, which was established in 1976 as the Nigerian Navy’s first welfare primary school, is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary in June.
He also praised the leadership of NNS BEECROFT for selecting the school for the outreach and reaffirmed the school management’s commitment to promoting a healthy learning environment for pupils.
