The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) has provided free medical treatment to residents of Afaha Atai community in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and rehabilitated an abandoned solar-powered borehole to supply clean drinking water and improve public health conditions.
The humanitarian outreach reflects the association’s long-standing commitment to promoting healthcare and community development, particularly in underserved rural areas across Nigeria.
Speaking during the commissioning of the borehole on Saturday, NAS Cap’n and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Joseph Oteri, said the intervention was part of the association’s quarterly meeting activities in the state. He explained that the project was aimed at addressing the community’s chronic water scarcity and recurring waterborne diseases.
“Each of our quarterly meetings is an opportunity to touch humanity in a tangible way. We usually select communities for a scoping mission to assess disease prevalence and population, which helps us determine the quantity of drugs to purchase and the number of medical personnel to engage. The decision to bring the outreach and commission the borehole stemmed from the prevalence of waterborne diseases in the community,” Oteri said.
He noted that NAS’s medical missions, which began in 2011, have recorded notable success across several states, with many beneficiaries sharing testimonials on the association’s platform.
Also speaking, Dr. Eshiet Ekanem, Medical Mate of Sancta Riviera Deck, a chapter of NAS, said the team conducted a detailed scoping mission across Afaha Atai and neighbouring communities—Afaha Etim and Mbietebe—to determine their medical needs.
He explained that the outreach targeted between 2,000 and 3,000 residents and focused on treating malaria, typhoid, skin infections, and age-related illnesses. “Our findings showed that water scarcity has contributed to an increase in waterborne diseases. We came with full medical supplies to treat malaria, typhoid, and scabies. We also discovered that about 35 per cent of residents are elderly, with nearly one-third aged 70 and above, so we made provisions for arthritis, poor vision, and other age-related conditions,” Ekanem stated.
He added that optometrists were part of the medical team to conduct eye and vision tests, while patients with serious conditions were referred to approved health facilities under the supervision of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health. Ekanem noted that the Village Head had informed them that as many as 9,000 people might attend the outreach, prompting preparations to serve up to 3,000 beneficiaries.
The Chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, Evang. Edidiong Inyang, commended NAS for the humanitarian initiative, describing it as a lifeline for residents without access to adequate healthcare. Commissioning the rehabilitated borehole, Inyang said the facility’s restoration had brought immense relief to the community after years of abandonment that forced residents to rely on unsafe water sources. “This borehole has been abandoned for a long time, and its restoration today brings immense relief not only to Afaha Atai but also to neighbouring villages,” he said.
Beneficiaries of the outreach expressed gratitude for the medical assistance and restoration of clean water. Mr. Edet Edem said the free treatment and drugs brought him relief he could not otherwise afford. “I am very happy because I could not afford hospital treatment. The Seadogs have brought healing and hope to us,” he said.
Similarly, 65-year-old widow Mrs. Ekaette Udo expressed joy at receiving treatment for her long-standing ailments. “For many years, I have struggled with arthritis and poor eyesight, but I couldn’t afford hospital visits or drugs. Today, doctors have attended to me, given me eye drops, and medicine for my joint pains. I thank the Seadogs for remembering people like us,” she said, visibly emotional.
In a related development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Thursday inaugurated three boreholes in its host Ogbe communities in Benin City, Edo State. The facilities were commissioned by Benin Airport Manager, Mr. Felix Akinbinu, who said the gesture reflects FAAN’s commitment to improving the welfare of its host communities and strengthening relationships through social support initiatives.
