The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Delta State Command, in collaboration with the Palace of the Asagba of Asaba and other key partners, on Wednesday launched a two-day medical outreach aimed at providing free healthcare to underserved communities in Asaba and Ibusa.
The medical outreach is in continuation of its humanitarian and social responsibility, which began on Monday, April 7, 2025, with the distribution of food items to indigent residents in the area.
The programme is being carried out under the leadership of the Delta State Commandant, Commandant Mathew Sunday Ovye, with critical support from the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Professor Epiphany Azinge (SAN), OON, and other humanitarian partners.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the State Commandant Sunday Ovye emphasized that the initiative is in line with the vision of the NSCDC’s Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who is deeply committed to improving human welfare through security and health-oriented interventions.
“This outreach is more than just a medical intervention, it is a declaration of our solidarity with the people,” Ovye said. “Security is not only about physical safety but also about promoting the general well-being of our communities. That’s what we are doing here today.”
The medical services provided include eye screenings, distribution of prescription glasses, and treatment for common ailments such as malaria and typhoid. Mobile units and educational seminars were also deployed to ensure outreach and accessibility to vulnerable populations.
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Commandant Ovye further called for collective action, saying, “As we continue to navigate socio-economic and health challenges, I call upon stakeholders, partners, and well-meaning Nigerians to support and sustain initiatives like this. Together, let us build a healthier, stronger, and more inclusive society.”
The programme received the full backing of the Palace of the Asagba of Asaba, who was represented by Chief Patrick N.C. Ndili, the Ihonor of Asaba and Secretary to the Palace, and who also described the outreach as a noble act that deserves continued support.
“I may not be a direct beneficiary of this program, but I must say, it’s a good initiative. The sponsors of this and similar programs truly deserve our support so they can scale up their efforts and reach more people. Appreciation and encouragement are necessary to help them do even more,” Ndili stated.
Also speaking, a representative of the Association of Beauty Queens and Kings of Nigeria represented by their medical unit, Ambassador Henrietta Bassi, said the group brought in trained professionals from various medical fields to attend to the beneficiary.
“We are not just Beauty Queens because of our crowns and status, we are Beauty Queens with brains,” said Bassi. “Caring for humanity is what drives us. From free palliatives to medical outreaches, this is our passion and our mandate.”
She emphasized the association’s commitment to reaching remote areas and assisting people who lack regular access to health facilities.
Bassi noted that while the outreach provided immediate relief, it also highlighted the ongoing need for improved health education in the area, adding that self-medication remains a widespread concern with residents often ignoring the root causes of their symptoms.
“Someone might feel a headache and rush to buy Panadol without seeking a proper diagnosis. The actual cause of the headache might remain untreated,” she said. “There’s a real need for health education to ensure people understand the importance of professional medical attention.”
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to newsmen expressed deep gratitude for the outreach.
One for the beneficiary, Ighala Festus, a native of the area and one of the recipients of medical services, “I’m very, very happy to have been a beneficiary. May God bless them, because they are helping us freely. May God reward them immensely, as they have come to this town and offered us free medical treatment.”
Another beneficiary, Joy Mordi, who was given eye treatment also commended the NSCDC for the outreach and expected prayer to the command and her partners.
