News
Police Probe Obagi Youth Leader’s Murder
Homicide detectives from Omoku Police Station in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State are now working round the clock to unravel the circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder of the vice-chairman of Obagi Youths Federation, Mr Eddy Dimkpa alias Aso Rock in his bedroom at about 2.0pm last Monday by unknown gunmen.
The Tide investigation revealed that the gunmen, who came on a motor-cycle, invaded the house of the deceased’s first wife, and demanded the whereabouts of her husband.
It was further gathered that when the assassins could not track the deceased in his first wife’s house, they quickly moved to the second wife’s house, where they allegedly met the door open and broke into the bedroom, and shot him severally on the head.
Authoritative sources in Omoku Police Station told The Tide that the police were working on a theory of deliberate murder since the unknown gunmen did not remove any valuable item or demand cash from the deceased.
Our sources also said that the police were looking at possible cult-related or disagreements in the youth body for the murder of the deceased since election of Obagi youths body is due in the next three months.
The sources said that the corpse of the vice-chairman has been deposited in the mortuary in the area.
The Tide also learnt that before the gruesome murder of Eddy Dimkpa on April 1, 2013, the Security Director of Obagi Youths Federation, Mr Lekwort Chinwah was also short on March 3, 2013, while on security patrol of the community at about 10.00pm.
Mr Chinwah was said to be lucky as the assassins only shot him on his two legs, and he is said to be critically ill in an undisclosed hospital in the area.
When contacted on phone, the brother of the deceased, Mr Chituru Dimkpa refused to comment on the issue, saying that it was risky to speak on the murder of his brother on the pages of newspaper.
Reacting on the incident, the traditional ruler of Obagi community, Eze Abella Benson, described the murder of the deceased as barbaric.
He appealed to the police in the state to fish out the perpetrators of the act, and also urged the youth to remain calm and wait for the outcome of police investigation into the alleged murder.
When contacted on phone yesterday on the issue, the Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police command, DSP Ben Ugwuegbulem, told The Tide that the state police command had not received any report on the incident but promised to reach the reporter after confirmation of the crime by his office.
But as at the time of going to the press, the police PRO was yet to get back to The Tide.
Isaac Nwankwo
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.
