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Amaechi, Abe, Others Express Shock Over Harry’s Death
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has received with shock and disbelief the death of the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, David Iyofor, Governor Amaechi described Harry’s death as deeply shocking and traumatic for him, recalling with nostalgia and fond memories the life and times of Tonye Harry.
“I am still traumatized by the sad news of the death of Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry. I still find it impossible to come to terms that Tonye is no more. I was with him, by his hospital bed shortly after he fell ill, and everyone was very hopeful that he was going to come out of the health crisis, stronger and better. Sadly, he couldn’t make it but God knows best,” the governor said.
“Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry will be dearly missed. He was a thorough and distinguished legislator, an astute politician who believed that politics and public office should be about service to the people. Over the years, he worked very hard and diligently to make Rivers State a better place. His contributions to the legislative development of the state were indeed enormous. We worked together, very closely; he was a friend and brother that will be dearly missed. He has left a vacuum that will be very difficult to fill,” Amaechi added.
“He left behind a loving wife and wonderful family that will really miss him. But God knows best. I pray God Almighty to give them the strength and fortitude to bear this great loss.”
Harry was the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State legislature while Amaechi was Speaker for the eight years of the Dr Peter Odili administration.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, said that the death of former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry, has robbed the state and nation of an erudite politician par excellence whose contributions to the growth of democracy cannot be quantified.
Engr. Ikuru was reacting to the news of the demise of the late Speaker and lawmaker who was representing Degema Constituency in the state House of Assembly.
“The news of the death of my friend and brother, Tonye Harry, came to me as a shock. I feel bad about what has happened. I feel bad that we have lost a gentleman who has not only helped to raise the benchmark of legislative business but also added great value to our democracy. He served us, as a state, well and helped in no small measure to stabilize the polity,” Ikuru said.
The deputy governor prayed for the repose of his soul, urging his bereaved family to take solace in the fact that he served well as a father, politician and leader.
Similarly, the Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe has described the demise of Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry as a great shock and a devastating tragedy.
Rt. Hon. Harry, a one-time Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly was Deputy Speaker while Senator Abe was Minority Leader during the Fourth Assembly.
Abe said, “Tonye was a methodical lawmaker, reliable friend, brother, team player and an astute politician whose wealth of experience furthered the stabilization of the Fourth Assembly” and contributed immensely to the development of Rivers State.
The chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), who disclosed that he was horrified by the news, stated that the tragedy was a great loss to the state, country and democracy.
“Tonye left us at the time his country, family and beloved people of Degema Constituency needed him most”.
Abe offered deepest condolences on behalf of his family and the South-East Senatorial district to the government and people of Rivers State and the deceased family, praying God to grant them the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Ibigoni Daddy Pokima has described the death of the former Speaker and member representing Degema Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Ezekiel Harry as a rude shock and huge loss to the state and the nation.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rev. Success Ekine, Hon Pokima described Rt. Hon. Harry as a caring father, frontline legislator, and a leader-par-excellence, stressing that his demise at this critical period in the political history of Rivers State was a loss too many.
His words: ”Rt Hon. Tonye Harry’s death has created a great vacuum in the political and legislative engineering that will take a very long time to be filled in the state and the nation”.
Hon. Pokima expressed his heart felt condolence to the bereaved family and the good people of Degema, and prayed God to grant the family he left behind, especially his wife, Barrister Sotonye Harry and the children, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
However, Hon. Pokima has also declared a week-long mourning in the area from today in honour of the late political leader.
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.
