News
Do Not Compromise Justice, Cleric Tells Judges
The Bishop of Evo Diocese, Anglican Communion in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Bishop Innocent Ordu has called on judges, magistrates and other Judicial officers in the country’s temple of justice to disperse their sacred responsibilities without compromise.
Ordu made this call while delivering his sermon during the re-dedication service organised by the state Judiciary to kick-start the 2017/2018 Legal Year at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonnema Wharf Road in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He stated that the society expects judicial officers to perform their responsibilities without fear and compromise, adding that they were expected to be bold and fearless in the discharge of their duties.
The Anglican bishop reminded the judicial officers, especially the judges and magistrates that their responsibilities were a sacred task, adding that in doing that, they were expected to exhibit Godly characters in dispensing justice in the society because they were representatives of God to exercise judgement on the guilty on earth.
According to him, “The task you are executing is God’s but the law has given you the responsibility to judge humans which is a sacred duty. Therefore, you have to be cautious and diligent.
“God expects you to deliver the sacred responsibility with all sense of commitment, honesty and truthfulness.
“Justice is a divine service; those who sit in judgement are co-labourers of God in their own rites. What you do, God is interested, and you must do it very well.
“Law and justice will promote discipline and civility in the society. Judgement is one of God’s attributes, and the judge is not expected to exercise the judgement in imagination. God uses the law enforcement agencies and courts to punish offenders and sanitize the society. Citizens who obey the laws and conform to the norms of the society have nothing to fear”, he stated.
Ordu, however, regretted that judges, magistrates and lawyers had for some time due to pressures and selfish interests derailed from the sacred responsibilities by dancing to the whims and caprices of the influential in the society.
He warned that the society was at the risk of collapse, if the Judiciary officers entrusted with the responsibility to dispense justice abandon their duties to human and societal demands that contravene their oath of calling.
The clergy remanded them of the grave consequences that await them should they derail from their sacred calling, adding that God expects them to dispense justice without fear and favour.
“The lawless in the society should be prepared to face the consequences of their actions. You are expected to do the needful, be courageous. In delivering judgement, you must apply what God wants you to do. Keep learning, research and seek the face of God.
“In administering of justice in the society, God is interested and try to expedite justice honestly. Do not delay or deny justice because of your personal interests. When you dispense justice, do not be guilty of what you condemned others”, he advised.
The Tide reports that the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike read the first lesson, while the state Chief Judge, Justice Adama Inyie Iyayi-Lamikanra read the second lesson at the service.
The climax of the event was the rededication of the state Judiciary officers to God.
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.
