News
DSP’s Extradition: IYC Faults UK’s Request
The umbrella body of Ijaw youth, Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide (IYC), says the request by the British government for the extradition of former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, to the United Kingdom to face alleged money laundering charges is politically-motivated.
The IYC said though the request was issued by the UK, the action is politically motivated and instigated by the Muhammadu Buhari administration while the UK is being used as a subterfuge.
The group, in a statement, yesterday by its spokesman, Eric Omare, said the suspicious request from the Government of United Kingdom and the immediate justification by lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, showed a clandestine plan to arrest and jail Alamieyeseigha over his open criticism of the present administration.
The IYC said, “The real brains behind the extradition request are some key players in the Nigerian government, who want Alamieyesegha to be punished because of his recent statement on his ordeal in the past and because of Alamieyesegha’s consistent opposition to the ruling party.”
“The IYC also condemned the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, for justifying the extradition request by the UK government.
“It amounts to professional misconduct for Sagay, who was one of Alamieyeseigha’s lawyers during his arrest and subsequent trial in Nigeria to now be acting as Adviser to the federal government on same matter.
“Nigerians would recall that Sagay fell out with his old time friend and benefactor, Chief Gani Fawehinmi because of the arrest of Alamieyesegha in London.”
“Also, when Chief James Ibori was sentenced in London, he condemned the sentence for being excessive.
“Now same Sagay is singing a new song. We make bold to state that Prof. Sagay’s conduct is not only unprofessional but he also lacks consistency and integrity. Prof. Sagay is nothing but a man who speaks from any side of his mouth and no useful advice can come from a committee headed by such an inconsistent character.
“The IYC warn the government of the United Kingdom to desist from being used and interfering in the internal affairs of Nigeria.”
It said the excessive interference of the UK and the United States governments in the internal affairs of Nigeria is deliberately designed to cause crisis in Nigeria.
The group said such development would result in double jeopardy for Alamieyesegha to be extradited to the UK to face trial having been tried and convicted of the same offences in Nigeria for which the UK government is requesting his extradition.
It said the people of Niger Delta would no longer accept the continued persecution by the Buhari-led Federal Government.
Meanwhile, the IYC described as a “disappointment”, the list of ministers announced by President Muhammad Buhari, saying they are made up of recycled politicians.
The IYC said, “Contrary to the impression created by Buhari’s government that the ministers would be agents of change and mainly distinguished technocrats, we are disappointed that most of the persons nominated by Buhari are recycled politicians and mostly disgruntled former members of the PDP.
“We are most disappointed that persons with allegations of corruption pending before anti-graft agencies and are under investigation were nominated.
“This is an obvious compromise on the anti-corruption war and confirmation of the allegation that the Buhari’s anti-graft war is selective.”
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.
