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Uduaghan Advises Youths On Agriculture
Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan
of Delta State, has urged youths in the state to embrace agriculture instead of taking to criminal activities.
Uduaghan made the call last Friday while inaugurating the Federal Government Agricultural Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) programme in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Prof Amos Utuama, said the state government through its Ministry of Agriculture initiated the Youth Empowerment through Agriculture and the Farmers Support Programme.
He said the programme was aimed at empowering the youths and peasant farmers to encourage agricultural production.
“The success has been modest while the loopholes are being plugged so that we can attain our goals of food sufficiency and security. “I urge the youths to embrace agriculture as panacea to unemployment instead of involving themselves in kidnapping and other criminal activities,’’ he added.
Uduaghan said the state government would continue to support agriculture through the provision of facilities and materials to encourage the farmers to successfully improve their produce.
He, however, tasked the private sector to come in and assist the state government in the realisation of the objectives of increasing agricultural production.
“The Flag-off of the GES scheme could not have come at a better time than now when the Federal and the State governments are committed to making agriculture take its prominent position in the nation.
“I am informed that this scheme will enable farmers through text messages to get direct access to subsidised inputs from relevant agencies with a view to increasing food production in the state. The state government is committed to improving on its agricultural programmes and giving necessary assistance to farmers,”he emphasised.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akniwumi Adesina, represented by his Regional Director, South-South, Mr Martins Odeh, said the GES scheme’s target was to involve about 20 million farmers in three years.
He called on farmers who had not registered to key into the scheme to get the maximum benefits that the scheme provideds.
“The new arrangement entails a shift from direct procurement and distribution of seeds and fertiliser by the government and allowing the private sector to drive the process through their network.
“The policy is also aimed at creating a synergy with the private sector and building its capacity to deliver and partake in the agricultural development of the country.’’
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Misan Ukubeyinje, said that 39 redemption centres across 25 Local Government Areas have been designed for registered farmers to access the materials.
According to him, each registered farmer will receive two bags of fertiliser at N5,500 (half the market price) and a bag of maize or rice for free as provided by the scheme.
The General Manger, Delta Agricultural Development Agency (DADA), Mr Ruben Ishaka, said that about 69,000 farmers would benefit from the scheme this planting season.
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.
