Sandra Ukele


The Nigeria Army Medical Corps in commemoration of this year’s World Oral Health Day has reiterated the need to create awareness on issues of oral health, enlighten the world at large on the importance of having a healthy oral life style.

The corps celebrated the event on March 20 in style with a symposium with a theme: ‘Smile For Life.’

 

According to the army corps, during the symposium which took place at the 9 Brigade Officers Mess of the Nigerian Army Cantonment Ikeja, Lagos, the Commanding Officer 81 Division, Major General Tamunomeibi Dibi, explained that the first interaction with a military personnel starts from the face particularly with the mouth.

 

He added that a man’s  state of health can be detected  from  his tongue as doctors regularly check when examining patients suspected to be suffering from  malaria.

 

“An officer or a personnel cannot give very audible and clear orders during parades if he has a dental or oral challenge,” he stated.

 

In tandem with the Corps Commander’s vision which is ‘To ensure comprehensive, qualitative patient and family-centred care that will prevent diseases, restore health and maximise operational readiness of troops’, the symposium was organised to address the relevance of ‘Oral Care to Military Efficiency.’ 

 

In his lecture, Colonel Eto Adebayo pointed out that the provision of proper medical care, dental and otherwise to the military personnel and their family members will enhance the performances of the military and boost their morale in peace and in war.

 

The Nigeria Army Medical Corps, according to him, has employed trained personnel who would continue to provide their services so that the vision of the Chief of the  Army Staff is accomplished. 

 

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, social well being and not the absences  of dieses or infirmity,” therefore oral health is a very essential factor in the life of a military personnel. It impacts on their efficiency, he said. 

 

Adebayo said a soldier or an officer with an oral health challenge like chronic pain, gum swellings and other dental challenges was not physically fit to be deployed to any assignment.

 

 

 

“Oral care is very important for a soldier before he goes to war as his mouth is also a weapon. Grenade pins are pulled out with the teeth,” he added.

 

Corp Commander, Nigerian Army Medical Corp, Major General  Obashina Ogunbiyi, explained that any disease of the mouth would impede the performance of a personnel in many areas, adding that such would become a distraction.

 

He stated: “This is why part of the military’s pre deployment medical screening involves dental examination. It is believed that dental problems will hinder performances at all times.

 

“The most common dental diseases prevalent within the military and also among civilians is inflammation of the gums and this can be taken care of by going to the dental centres.

 

“The Nigerian army medical corps is therefore working hard to establish its presence firmly in every military division. Its target is to make sure that hospitals and medical centres are not too far for the staff and their families.”

 

  The Corp also encouraged the Nigerian soldiers to visit these centres regularly, pointing out that a good diet will go a long way in keeping the mouth and teeth healthy. 

 

Ogunbiyi thus advised against consumption of sugary food and drinks, which he said corrode the teeth and causes mouth odours.

 

James Adeleke Lakisokun Passes on at 92

The family of the Apesin of Odeomu, Chief James Adeleke Lakisokun,  has  announced his passage. He was aged 92. He died on March 23. An educationist all his life, the late Chief Lakisokun served between January 1942 and December 1983 as teacher, senior tutor, vice-principal, up to Class 1 Principal in various schools in the South-west. The schools include Baptist High School, Iwo, Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, Baptist Grammar School, Ilora, Iwo Grammar School, Ife-Oluwa Grammar School, Osogbo and Gbongan/Odeomu Anglican Grammar School, Gbongan.

 

AIG Wilfred Eje Obute Dies at 59

The Nigeria Police Force has announced the sudden death of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wilfred Eje Obute. He passed away on  March 20, after a brief illness. Obute, until his death, was the AIG in charge of Armament, Force Headquarters, Abuja.. The late AIG, who hailed from Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, was born on the 27th of May, 1956. 

He was enlisted into the Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (Cadet ASP) on July 18, 1980 and had his initial training at the Nigeria Police College, Ikeja, Lagos. He held a Bachelor of Education degree in Zoology and had attended several professional courses both at home and abroad. He was an alumnus of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos.    

 

Sikirat Modupe Folami Dies

Alhaja Sikirat Modupe Folami is dead.  Aged 84, she died on Tuesday, March 17, 2015. She was laid to rest on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in accordance with Islamic rites. A statement by Abdul Rasheed Omobolaji Folami   for the family said the eigth day Fidau prayers will take place on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at City Hall Lagos. The deceased is survived by many children and grand children.