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RSG To Set Up Trust Fund For Clerics
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has announced plans to set up a special fund that will cater for the welfare of Christian leaders and community.
Wike gave the hint when he played host to Christian leaders under the banner of Pentecostal Leaders of International Church Impact Communion (ICICI) at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.
The governor stated that clerics will be the main beneficiaries of the trust fund while explaining that the Trust Fund will be a revolving scheme that will be managed by the leaders of the Christian Community in order for it to be self-sustaining over the years.
Said he: “We have resolved to set a trust fund for Christians in the state. This trust fund will cater mainly for clerics, especially those who are distressed, but lack resources to cater for their needs.
“Since Rivers State is purely a Christian state, we must show that we are truly a Christian state. The Ecumenical Centre we are building will be commissioned in May. The Government House Chapel has also been completed”.
He said that the Rivers State Government has been sustained in the last two years by the prayers of the Christian Community .
“We are here because of the prayers of Christians and the Grace of God . The relative peace we enjoy is because the church has consistently prayed for us”, he said.
Leader of the International Church Impact Communion (ICICI), Archbishop John Praise speaking through his Deputy, Goddy Okoafor, said the church is happy with the achievements of Wike and his commitment to the welfare of Christians.
He commended the governor for investing to positively affect generations to come. Adding that no level of attacks on Wike will cut short his administration.
He said: “Governor Wike is working to please God and not to please any man. Everything happening in the state is amazing “.
Earlier, founder and Overseer of the Royal House of Grace, Apostle Zilly Aggrey, said that the Pentecostal leaders were happy to learn of the outstanding performance of the governor in different areas.
He added, “ their coming to Port Harcourt is to see things first hand.”
The Pentecostal leaders who are in Rivers State for a special prayer session for the state, offered prayers for the administration of Wike and Rivers State.
The governor later took the leaders of the International Church Impact Communion on the inspection of projects at the Government House and the State Ecumenical Centre.
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.
