News
Amaechi Withdraws Tenure Case
Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi says he has put an end to the protracted matter in the court over his administration’s tenure.
Speaking at the Thanksgiving Service of Senator representing Rivers South-East, Magnus Abe, at St Barth’s Anglican Church, Bera Town in Gokana Local Government Area at the weekend, Amaechi dismissed claims that the case was still pending in court as painted by the opposition party.
He disclosed that he has asked his lawyers to withdraw the matter from the court, since he was the person that went on an appeal.
“I am withdrawing the case from the Appeal Court. So, what issue do they have; I am the person who lost five months and it’s only me that can sue”, he stressed.
The Rivers State governor said it was laughable to hear the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claiming that the matter, which was struck out by the Supreme Court two weeks ago, was still pending in court.
Amaechi said such claims were meant to deceive the public into believing that his administration would be truncated before the end of his tenure on May 29, 2015.
Against his backdrop, he called on the citizenry to rise up and ensure that the opposition and those fighting the government are barred from taking over power in the next elections.
“Go and register. We must punish out these people with our votes, and we must be prepared”.
Further charging that only those politicians with character and integrity would be voted for in the next elections, the governor regretted that most of the politicians who are now fighting him were those he helped in the past.
He pointed out that all of them lacked character, and are pushed by greed and inordinate ambition, advising that “people who don’t have character, you don’t give them power”.
Thanking God for the life of Senator Abe, the governor described the senator as a man with principle and good character, emphasizing that his commitment and honesty has paved way for his success in politics.
He thanked the senators and other members of the society who stood by Abe during the attack on his life by the Nigeria Police during a rally organised by Save Rivers Movement (SRM) in January.
Earlier in his remarks, Senator Abe thanked God for saving his life, arguing that, “anybody who says that I don’t have cause to thank God is an idiot”.
Abe stated that doctors report within and outside the country affirmed that he had heart complications after he was hit by an object shot by the police on that rally day.
He, therefore, warned agents of the federal authorities to ensure justice was done, recalling that the genesis of the Niger Delta struggle was as a result of police partiality.
“We just have to be careful so that no group of Nigerians will feel maltreated and resort to self help”, he warned.
The senator thanked all those who supported and showed him love during his travails, most especially the governor and friends who ensured he was flown abroad for treatment for their show of love and care.
In his sermon, Bishop of Diocese of Ogoni, Rt. Rev Solomon Gberegbara remarked that Senator Abe has every reason to thank God.
The Anglican cleric said Abe’s decision to thank God was an indication that he trusts in God and knows that God alone is the source of all powers.
He enjoined others to emulate the example of the senator, stressing that thanksgiving compels God to do more for those who trust Him.
Head of European Union Delegation, Amb. Michel Arrion (2nd right), discussing with Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega (right), during a courtesy visit to INEC headquarters in Abuja last Friday. With them are EU First Secretary, Mr Alan Munday (left) and EU Minister Councellor (Political, Information and Communication), Mr Henry Prankerd.
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.
