The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) has provided free medical care to residents of Afaha Atai community in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, as well as rehabilitated an abandoned solar-powered borehole to supply clean water and improve public health in the area.
The outreach reflects NAS’s ongoing commitment to humanitarian service, community development, and public health, particularly in underserved rural areas across Nigeria.
Speaking during the commissioning of the rehabilitated borehole on Saturday, the NAS Cap’n and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Joseph Oteri, said the intervention was part of the association’s activities marking its quarterly meeting in Akwa Ibom.
He explained that the medical outreach and water project were designed to address the community’s long-standing challenges with unsafe water and frequent waterborne diseases.
“Each of our quarterly meetings is an opportunity to impact lives. Before every outreach, we conduct a scoping mission to understand disease patterns and population size, which helps us plan the right quantity of drugs and medical personnel,” Oteri said.
According to him, the decision to hold the outreach in Afaha Atai was influenced by reports of high cases of waterborne illnesses in the area.
Also speaking, Dr. Eshiet Ekanem, Medical Mate of Sancta Riviera Deck, one of NAS’s chapters, said a detailed survey was carried out in Afaha Atai, Afaha Etim, and Mbietebe communities to identify their health needs before the exercise.
He noted that the outreach was designed to serve between 2,000 and 3,000 residents, focusing on illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, skin infections, and age-related conditions.
“We discovered that water scarcity has worsened health issues here. We came fully equipped to treat malaria, typhoid, and scabies. About 35% of the community’s population is elderly, many aged 70 and above, so we also provided treatment for arthritis, poor eyesight, and related conditions,” Ekanem said.
He added that optometrists were on ground to conduct eye tests, and patients with severe cases were referred to health facilities approved by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health.
The Chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, Evang. Edidiong Inyang, commended the Seadogs for their selfless service, describing the initiative as “a lifeline for residents who lack access to basic healthcare and clean water.”
Commissioning the borehole, Inyang noted that the facility had been abandoned for several years, forcing residents to rely on unsafe water sources.
“This borehole had been neglected for too long. Its restoration today brings great relief not just to Afaha Atai, but also to neighbouring communities,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Edet Edem, expressed gratitude for the free medical assistance, saying it brought him much-needed relief.
“I’m happy because I couldn’t afford hospital treatment before. The Seadogs have brought healing and hope to us,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Ekaette Udo, a 65-year-old widow, described the outreach as “a blessing” to many who had been suffering in silence due to poverty.
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“For years, I’ve battled arthritis and poor eyesight but couldn’t afford treatment. Today, I got medicine and eye drops. I’m deeply thankful to the Seadogs for remembering people like us,” she said, tearfully.
In a related development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) also provided three boreholes to its host Ogbe community in Benin City, Edo State, on Thursday.
The commissioning of the projects was led by Benin Airport Manager, Mr. Felix Akinbinu, who stated that the initiative reflects FAAN’s commitment to improving the well-being of its host communities and strengthening mutual relationships.
