The Nigerian Navy School of Armmament Technology, on Monday distributed palliatives to 500 households in Unguwar Ayuba, a community in Kachia Local Government Kaduna State.
The donation was part of activities marking the 64th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.
It was also meant to cushion the effect of the lockdown imposed by Kaduna State Government to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
Items distributed included rice, vegetable oil, noodles and beans.
The Commandant of the School, Real Admiral Tanko Pani, said the Navy’s 64th anniversary is being marked at a time the nation is struggling to contain the Coronavirus pandemic.
He noted that the pandemic has impacted negatively on the livelihoods of most Nigerians particularly those whose source of income is largely subsistence.
“The Ungwan Ayuba community is an agrarian community and the major source of income for members of the community depends on how easily the people are able to access markets for their agricultural produce.
“The current lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic has made this difficult.
“It is no longer news that the coronavirus which is a global pandemic has affected the economic outlook of the world especially that of developing nations.
“As part of measures to curb the spread of the virus, the government has issued the stay-at-home order, the use of nose masks and a ban on religious and social gatherings amongst many others.
“The presence of the virus has caused some form of adjustments to lifestyles which has resulted
to hardships especially for those of you who rely on daily income.
“It is against this backdrop that the Nigerian Navy deemed it fit to ameliorate the plight of the people in the aforementioned category by distributing palliatives to this residents.
“This action demonstrates the empathy, selfless service of the Nigerian Navy to host communities and cordial Civil-Military Relationship for peaceful and mutually beneficial coexistence,” Pani said.
He appreciated the community for its immense support to the school over the years.
“On behalf of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), I wish to register my deepest appreciation to residents of Kachia and environs for their support to the Nigerian Navy.
“I appeal to you to continue to collaborate with us in order to collectively tackle the various security challenges in your communities.
“It is our expectation that the distribution of these palliative items will further cement the existing cordial Civil Military Relationship.
“Therefore, I acknowledge the support of the leaders of Ungwan Ayuba community for their incalculable support to the Nigerian Navy over the years,” he added.
Pani urged the residents to adhere strictly to the guidelines issued by the Federal Government on the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Commandant also acknowledged the support of Kaduna state government to the School and the Nigerian Navy in general.
Responding, the ward head of Unguwar Ayuba, Mr Ayuba Bala, appreciated the gesture of the Navy and pledged that the community would continue to support the efforts of security agencies toward sustainable peace and stability in the area.
