News
‘Human Trafficking, Modern Day Slavery’
Reverend Sister Mary Joseph Balogun of the Religious Sisters of Charity of the Catholic Church of Port Harcourt Diocese, has called on government at all levels and leaders in positions of trust to intensify the fight against human trafficking in the country.
Reverend Sister Mary Balogun who stated this while delivering a paper titled “Human Trafficking as Modern Day Slavery in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects” at Holy Rosary College, Port Harcourt as part of efforts to create awareness on the vice identified desperation, ambition, discontentment and ignorance as the root causes of human trafficking as against the conventional belief of poverty and culture.
She observed that the vice did not exist in isolation as it involved relatives and other people known to the victims.
According to her, the industry was worth over five trillion naira world wide and the number of slaves remained as high as 12 to 27 million, expressing dismay that Nigeria had been named among the eight countries considered the highest in human trafficking in the world by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes.
The cleric advised the public to always remain focused, content with what they had and avoid frivolous offers abroad, emphasising the need to promote enlightenment on the ills of the scourge, and further called for concerted efforts to fight the crime against humanity.
In her remarks, the Principal of the College, Mrs. Veronica Efika described the event as apt as it afforded both the teachers and students the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the vice and prepare against it, enjoining the students to always be of good behaviour and desist from all activities that negate the will of God.
Also speaking, the Chaplain of the College, Reverend Father Kelvin lIe said the programme was essential as the Catholic Church also frowns against the vice which he noted was a violation of human rights.
Reverend Father Ile urged the students to be ambassadors in the fight against the scourge, thanking Reverend Sister Mary Joseph Balogun for the thought- provoking lecture which he observed had added to the knowledge of both the teachers and students of the college.
Speaking in an interview, Miss Cynthia Onyeanuna and Miss Balafama Banigo, students of the College expressed happiness with the lecture coming at a time the level of human trafficking was alarming.
The duo called on President Jonathan to do all things within his reach to eradicate the vice, urging members of the society to always resist certain promises from members of the public which were suspicious.
Meanwhile, many parents commended the organisers of the lecture and the Chaplain of the school and the Religious Sisters of Charity for a job well done
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
