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Diete-Spiff Heads INC Reconciliation Panel
The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon Henry Seriake Dickson, has waded into the crisis rocking the Ijaw National Council (INC) by assembling leaders of thought in the Ijaw nation to request their assistance and support to help in resolving the issues affecting the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
At the end of the meeting which lasted several hours in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Dickson, inaugurated a 20-member Ijaw National Reconciliation Committee (INRC), with the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff as chairman while the former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, is to serve as vice chairman.
The governor also appointed activist, Dr. Felix Tuodolor, as the secretary of the committee, which also has Gen. John Yeri (rtd) and Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff as members.
The other members are Gen. Cletus Emein (rtd), Dr. Amba Ambaowei, Prof. Kimse Okoko, Prof. Ayibaemi Spiff, Chief Francis Doukpolagha, Prof. Nimi Briggs, Prof. Joseph Ajienka, Arch. I.E.I Ette and Mrs Rose Obuoforibo.
The rest are Dr. Silas Eneyo, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, Wing Comdr. P.Y. Biakpara (rtd), High Chief Francis J. Williams, Prof. Christopher Deme and Barr. Felicia Ajagu.
Dickson, while inaugurating the committee, said “all is not well” as the conflicts and disagreements arising from individual interests have led to the polarisation of the Ijaw nation.
Dickson stated that, a house divided against itself cannot stand and, therefore, emphasised that the time had come to fashion out ways to holistically address all the challenges, particularly those that are internal.
He said, “a number of things are not right about us, about our zone, and also the contradiction in our nation. And, in all of these, our people must develop a coherent approach as to how we can resolve these issues and move forward.
“Interestingly, you all are not new to these challenges. All of you have been saddled in one form of responsibility or the other, and you have always fought to protect the Ijaw national interest”.
Dickson admitted that, disagreements are normal within a family or organisation, but argued that the end point must be to arrive at an acceptable position that will satisfy the yearnings of all parties.
For the INC, he lamented the lingering leadership crisis, which he said has weakened the agitation of the Ijaw nation, using that platform, and charged the committee to work within six terms of reference to chart a way forward.
He described the INC as a unique organisation with so much hope and promise, which some of the leaders have laboured so hard to keep, and wondered why drastic steps should not be taken to make it bounce back to national reckoning.
Just as he intervened and resolved the crisis in the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Dickson, who gave the elders and leaders a two-week provisional time to come up with a document, said they can replicate same in the INC and the Ijaw nation at large.
Dickson expressed optimism that at the end of the crucial assignment, the Ijaw nation will bounce back and put to shame, those who think they will remain in disarray forever.
“We may be down, but by the time the leaders will be through with their work, it will be very clear that we were only down, but not out”, he added.
In his acceptance speech, Chairman of theý Ijaw National Reconciliation Committee (INRC) and Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff commended the governor for his timely intervention, and assured him that they will work to ensure that everyone and group are reconciled.
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.
