By Hajara Usman
The Emir of Pindiga, Alhaji Muhammad Sayoji, has conferred the traditional title of Wakilin Woje Pindiga, meaning an ambassador of Pindiga, on the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
The conferment was in appreciation of the Nigerian Navy’s intervention in providing potable water and toilet facilities at the Cottage Hospital in Pindiga Community of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The Emir presented gifts and conferred the title on Abbas through the representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, the Director of Plans, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Adamu Yahaya, during the inauguration of the newly constructed facilities on Thursday.
Sayoji expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Navy for the intervention, saying it had brought great relief to the people of the community, which had previously faced acute water shortage.
He explained that the geological composition of the area had made it difficult to obtain potable water from previously drilled boreholes, as the water was often contaminated by limestone minerals, shells and impermeable deposits found in the region.
“We extend our gratitude to the Chief of Naval Staff, Abbas, for this gift to our community, executed by our own son.
“Now, there is water supply across the hospital to make life easier for the people and maintain proper hygiene,” he said.
The project facilitator, Rear Adm. Usman Faruk, said the intervention followed wide consultations with elders and stakeholders in the community over the persistent challenge of access to fresh water.
Faruk said the water problem had contributed to health deterioration, dental discolouration and poor life expectancy among residents, prompting him to facilitate the project to bring relief to his people.
He added that toilet facilities were also constructed at the hospital because the absence of toilets had forced patients to engage in open defecation within and outside the hospital premises, thereby creating serious health concerns and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.
Speaking at the event, the Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State appreciated the Nigerian Navy for providing the essential facilities to improve the wellbeing of residents of Pindiga.
Represented by the Commissioner of Special Duties, Alhaji Shehu Abdullahi, Yahaya commended Faruk as an illustrious son of the soil who made the project a reality, while urging the Navy to undertake more interventions in the state.
“We are happy with this water scheme and we ask that you do more for this community and Gombe State as a whole,” he said.
In his remarks, Abbas reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to strengthening civil-military cooperation through interventions aimed at addressing critical community needs and improving the wellbeing of Nigerians.
Represented by Yahaya, Abbas said the project was part of the civil-military interventions under the Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme being executed in the state.
He said such interventions were also designed to foster stronger bonds between the Armed Forces and the people.
“Your (Pindiga stakeholders) collective efforts have once again shown that when institutions and communities work together, sustainable development becomes achievable.
“Let me assure you that the Nigerian Navy remains committed to strengthening civil-military cooperation and supporting initiatives that promote national development and social cohesion.
“We will continue to partner with communities across the country in ways that foster peace, security and progress,” he said.
Abbas said potable water remained an essential need and a driver of socio-economic development, adding that the provision of water to the cottage hospital would improve the quality of life of residents and contribute to the development of the community.
He commended Faruk for facilitating the project and bringing succour to his people, while urging beneficiaries to protect and maintain the facilities for maximum benefi
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