Northern Pulse: Army: Barracks health committee promotes education, sanitation in Kaduna

The Barracks Health Committee of the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, has intensified efforts to promote education, hygiene and environmental sanitation within the military community.

The Chaplain of the hospital, Capt. Emeka Ibekwe, said the initiative was inspired by the vision of the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Brig.-Gen. Godwin Ogoh, to make the barracks one of the best in the country.

Ibekwe said the committee was established to ensure that children and residents maintain high standards in education, cleanliness and general wellbeing.

According to him, parents have been encouraged to uphold a clean environment, while children are engaged in academic activities to boost their educational development.

“As part of this initiative, we organised examinations for the children to assess their academic performance and encourage excellence,” he said.

He explained that the examination is being conducted in phases, noting that 46 candidates participated in the first stage, out of which 25 were selected for the second phase.

“The next stage will produce 12 finalists, while the best six will emerge after the grand finale,” he said.

Ibekwe added that the exercise was not only aimed at rewarding outstanding students but also motivating others to take their studies seriously.

He said the programme would be sustained on a quarterly basis to ensure continuous improvement among the children.

The chaplain further disclosed that plans were underway to introduce inter-barracks competitions to enhance exposure and promote healthy academic rivalry among students.

He expressed optimism that the initiative could evolve into a scholarship scheme in the future to support outstanding students and their families.

“We believe that with time, this programme could develop into a scholarship platform, given the commitment of the CMD,” he said.

One of the participants, Miss Elizabeth Amure, described the examination as impactful and motivating.

“This exam was organised to bring children together and give us a sense of belonging. It is also helping us realise our academic strengths,” she said.

Amure noted that the competition had encouraged her to study more regularly.

“Before now, outside school exams, most children hardly read. But with this, I now read every day, and it is improving my academic performance,” she added.

Another student, Master Godwills Silas, said the initiative had boosted his reading habit and exposed him to new knowledge.

“The exam was organised to help us develop the habit of reading daily, and the prize attached makes it more competitive,” he said.

Silas added that he now studies more consistently than before the competition.

“It has helped me learn new things. For instance, I now know more about the history of the hospital,” he said.