News
…As GM Urges Domestication
The General Manager, of Plateau-owned Radio Television Corporation (PRTVC), Mr. Bulus Dabit has suggested the domestication of the Freedom of Information (FoI) law in states to broaden awareness and maximise its benefits nationwide.
“Not much is known about the law outside Abuja and Lagos; steps must be taken to popularise it and make it effective outside such media hubs so that the nation can gain from its provisions,’’ Dabit said in Jos on Sunday.
He said that it was only when the public was fully aware of the provisions of the law and their rights therein, that they could insist on its application.
“Again, when we operate the law locally, we shall be able to remove all encumbrances when we seek information outside those major cities where the law is already taking full effect.
“From experience, the law appears only applicable if we are approaching federal officers. This should not be the case.’’
He likened the FoI law to the Child Rights Act, stressing that the latter was gradually getting wider national acceptance because most state governments had domesticated its provisions.
Dabit, however, said that the FoI law would only serve national interest if journalists respected the ethics of the profession.
“Every profession has its bad eggs, but the media must be very conscious of its image by respecting basic ethics so that they are taken seriously.
“Conscious efforts must be made to rid the profession of the bad elements to enable journalists to carry out their role of educating and informing the public to bring enlightened opinion to bear on national issues.’’
Dabit also reacted to the recent boycott of Plateau State government’s activities by the state’s Correspondent Chapel on the allegation that Gov. Jonah Jang was not media-friendly.
“The governor is media-friendly. Like every other leader, he knows that he needs the media to reach out to the general public and boost participation in government activities.
“I think the problem is that journalists insist that the governor must handle everything himself. There are several officers expected to handle publicity – the Director of Press Affairs, the Commissioner of Information and the Special Adviser on Media Affairs.
“It is not every day that the governor will be available to address every information need of the newsmen.’’
He also rejected suggestions that the state government depended totally on the state-owned PRTVC and the Nigeria Standard newspapers as its only news outlets.
“I agree that the average Plateau person is obsessed with PRTVC, but it is not possible for us to depend solely on the state-owned media outfits for our entire publicity requirement because we must reach out to the entire nation and even beyond.
“If we depend solely on our local media outfits, we shall be clapping with one hand and that is why the state government is investing so much on NTA and others.’’
He said that it was to also involve other media houses in publicity of the state government’s activities that the governor directed all commissioners to address journalists on their activities.
“We expect the ministerial briefings to create a solid avenue for interaction between journalists and government officials. These commissioners are spokespersons for the governor and should be seen and treated as such by the press.’’
Dabit urged journalists to build bridges toward a united and prosperous Nigeria, and advised them against allowing themselves to be used as pawns by groups or individuals pursuing self-serving interests.
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.
