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RSG To Review Christian Pilgrimage Sponsorship
Head Customer Service PHED Godwin Ororwiroro (right) exchanging views with Chief Regulating Officer PHED Nancy Abdala during public consultation on PHED Tariff Review in Port Harcourt, yesterday Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has hinted that the state government would review qualifications for participation in Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
He made the plans public when he played host to the Executive Secretary of the National Christian Pilgrimage Commission, John Kennedy Okpara in Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Wike said, “We will sponsor those who do not have the means to encourage their spiritual growth.”
The governor disclosed that, “intending pilgrims will be duly screened such that only those that will not give us a bad image and good ambassadors”, will be sponsored.
He hinted that the Rivers State Christian Pilgrims Board will soon be inaugurated, and promised to support pilgirmage in all ramifications since the state is 99 per cent Christian population.
The governor’s remark came after Okpara had disclosed that the commission has introduced lottery to select pilgrims as a result of the new government policy to cut costs in governance.
Okpara further disclosed that government has fixed exchange rate for N379,000 for general while N357,000 for youth pilgrims while others would go on self-sponsorship.
The new pilgrimage policy also includes skills acquisition training in agriculture in partnership with the state of Isreal, which according to him, “will afford our people the privilege and opportunity to undergo some training and when they come back they can start their own agricultural business.
He said that in addition to that, the exercise would be held four times in the year. This includes the Easter pilgrimage, family pilgrimage which starts from August to September, the youth pilgrimage and the final one for site visits in Rome and Isreal held between October and December.
The National Christian Pilgrims Commission boss lauded Wike for the pragmatic steps he has taken in leading the state since he assumed office on May 29th, and prayed God to continue to guide him in remaining focused and committed to transforming Rivers State.
He, however, invited the governor to participate in this year’s “A Day With Jesus” held annually from 25th of October to pray for the nation and the state.
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.
