Navy distributes rice, groundnut oil to Ogun community

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has donated bags of rice and cartons of vegetable oil to residents of Tongeji Island in Ogun state, as palliatives.

Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas, who presented the gifts to the community, said the gesture was part of the corporate social responsibility of the navy.

The chief of naval staff represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, said the palliatives will help cushion the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown.

A statement by the service on Thursday, stated that the gesture was part of activities lined up to mark the 64th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy, as many other communities across the country will also be gifted same.

The statement signed by the Command Information Officer, Western Naval Command, Commander Thomas Otuji, said the items were received by the Akoko of Tongeji Island, Oba Biolorunkosi Okiki Sule 1.

The statement reads in part: “As part of Nigerian Navy’s corporate social responsibility, and in an effort to support the well-being of the indigenes of Tongeji Island in Ogun state, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, on behalf of the chief of the naval staff presented 50 bags of 50 kg rice and 20 cartons of vegetable oil to the community.

“The items are palliatives presented by the navy to its host community occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown across states in the country.

“The Nigerian Navy in the coming days would be engaged in providing palliatives to deserving communities across the country as part of series of activities lined up to mark its 64th anniversary.”

Expressing gratitude, the elated king prayed for the leadership of the navy as well as its men.

He said: “I thank the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas, for the gesture extended to our community at this trying period.

“May the Almighty God richly bless the Nigerian Navy, its leadership and men for being there at this difficult period, it will greatly help us.”