The President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Vickie Irabor, on Friday, provided materials to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna for the treatment and rehabilitation of wounded soldiers.
The items included 30 wheel chairs which can function electronically and manually and 4-in-1 integrated D3 defibrillator /monitor for fast resuscitation of patients with cardiac arrest.
Others were interlocking nail set for fixing of fractured bones, and consumables for rehabilitation such as gloves, cotton wool and spirit.
Irabor said the gesture was to show gratitude and support to the brave and courageous soldiers who willing put their lives on the line for the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the donation was made in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons
(NCFRMI).
NAN also report that the event was used to flag off Project Zero Hunger at the hospital.
The association president said, “as wives and mothers of these wounded soldiers, we have come on this special day that Nigeria marks her independence.
“To let you know that injuries sustained in combat speaks to the nation of your sacrifice.
“But beyond that, they should remind you of millions of Nigerians that continue to move freely in safety because of your sacrifice.
“This has put you on the roll of heroes of our great Nation.
“We celebrate you, we thank you and also implore you to not allow these scars limit you, you are not alone as we will continue to stand by you.
“There is a bright future ahead of you so keep hope alive.”
In her remark, the Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, Mrs Imaan Ibrahim-Sulaiman said the Zero Hunger initiative had been successfully launched in four different locations in Abuja and Nasarawa State.
According to her, over three million Nigerians have been displaced by insecurity, man-made and natural disasters within the space of one year.
“There are over 73, 000 registered refugees residing in Nigeria from over 23 countries and about 500,000 Nigerian refugees awaiting repatriation from Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Libya, Mali and other countries.”
She explained that the Zero Hunger initiative was borne out of the neccesity to streamline and enhance the distribution and availability of food and non-food items to address the immediate nutritional needs of all persons of concern using Food Care Packs.
She added that the project was designed to promote an integrated approach and enable well meaning persons to support national effort in addressing the nutritional needs for displaced persons, including
“Officers and men who, in the line of duty have been inflicted with wounds.
“This project also creates a platform for different stakeholders to collaborate and support the Commission in mobilizing additional resources to positively make an impact on lives of the vulnerable while eliminating waste, compromise and duplication of efforts that was evident in the previous distribution of food and non-food items to persons of concern.
“The country’s unprecedented humanitarian crisis and high level of insecurity has put a lot of burden on the Security and Armed Forces, in ensuring that peace and stability is maintained nationwide.
“This is why I acknowledge the efforts and sacrifice of every wounded soldier here today, together, with your families, you represent what’s best in Nigeria,” she said.
According to her, the Commission in partnership with DEPOWA will continue to render necessary support to wounded soldiers and their families across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The Commissioner appreciated the support of the Minister of Humanitarian affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to the project.
In his remark, the Acting Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Col Ndidi Onuchukwu appreciated DEPOWA for the donation and assured that it would be properly utilsed for the treatment of soldiers wounded in action.
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