By CHARLES IWUOHA

No fewer than 500 residents of Abakpa Nike Community within Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State have benefitted from food palliative distributed by the Nigerian Army at the weekend.

The palliatives included; bags of rice, salt, maggi, cartons of tomatoes paste, curry and soft drinks and other things.

Distributing the palliative to the residents, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai, said that the gesture was part of activities lined up for the commemoration of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2020.

Burutai, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Lasisi Adegboye, said that it was part of the Civil-Military-Cooperation (CIMIC) meant to improve military-civil relations.

According to him, it is targeted at the less privileged and indigent in Abakpa Nike community, which is host of 82 Division, to ease the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COAS also assured that Nigerian Army was leaving no stone unturned to ensure overall security within the South-East.

“These palliatives would complement the efforts of the Federal and state governments in providing succor to Nigerians in this trying time of COVID-19 pandemic. We hope and believe that the Nigerian Army will continue to enjoy the maximum support and cooperation of the civil populace,” he said.

Burutai also lauded Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the people of Enugu State and Abakpa Nike community for their contributions to the success of the Nigerian Army so far.

Responding, Chief Alex Ugwu, Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, thanked the Nigerian Army for the massive palliatives distributed to many indigents within Abakpa Nike axis of the council area.

“The Nigerian Army is the first military formation that has come to touch the lives of our people directly and help them live above challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ugwu, who was represented by Mr. Onyia Okolo, said.

The traditional ruler of Nike Kingdom, Igwe Julius Nnaji, appreciated the warm and close relationship of the Nigerian Army to his kingdom and its subjects.

“The Nigerian Army is exceptional both in operation and discipline and we have been relating very well for the past 20 years of my reign as the traditional ruler of Nike ancient kingdom.

“Apart from these quantum of palliatives given to my subjects; the Nigerian Army through the 82 Division had made free medical outreach to most parts of my kingdom a yearly one and meeting our health needs,” Nnaji said.

One of the beneficiaries of the palliatives, Mr. Ifeanyi Akpa, commended the Nigerian Army for the gesture, adding: “The palliative would go a long way to keep food on my table for many days.”

Another beneficiary, Mrs. Cynthia Udeh, said that the palliative was a big relief to overcome this trying time of COVID-19 for her family.

“I pray that God Almighty continue to bless and keep officers and men of the Nigerian Army and grant them success as their go about protecting our nation,” Udeh said.

•PHOTO: GOC 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Lasisi Adegboye, handing over palliatives to one of the beneficiaries in Enugu

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