News
Unease In Delta Community Over Senator’s Arrest
Palpable tension has continued to mount in Ibusa community near Asaba, Delta State, the country home of Senator Nwaoboshi following his arrest by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundry running into billions of Naira, and other related acts.
Nwaoboshi, Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, was picked up by the EFCC last Friday for alleged money laundry and its related act.
His arrest had sparked-off series of controversies, particularly his home town, Ibusa where aggrieved youths said he (Nwaoboshi) was arrested on an alleged order of President Mohammadu Buhari including top All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftains.
Sources said the senator, a one-time state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), until his arrest by EFCC, was the senate committee chairman on NDDC who had allegedly fought Deltans perceived not to have voted for him during his election to the senate.
Our informed sources further alleged that Senator Nwaoboshi diverted money meant for constituency projects. One of such is the Illah-Ebu road that is now deplorable and abandoned.
But at Ibusa, elders including youths were seen gnashing their teeth in pains as they lamented the disgrace the anti-graft commission had meted out on the community and its illustrious son.
Mr. Pascal Adigwe, one of the elders in the area who spoke to our correspondent said: “We are shocked, disbelieved over the arrest of our beloved son, he has not stolen any money, EFCC is just chasing shadow, EFCC is being used by President Mohammadu Buhari, Senator Nwaoboshi knows the law as a lawyer, it’s a wasteful venture, he is not a thief, he needs freedom”.
An elder statesman in Ibusa community, Chief Donald Nwaoboshi told our correspondent “it is sad to see our son held for nothing in Nigeria the right is used for a escape goat, President Buhari should release our son, he has been doing well, he is not a thief”.
But unconfirmed sources said Senator Nwaoboshi had had litany of problems to contend especially with those who worked for him to succeed, and the Delta House he bought in Lagos.
One of those who worked for him, Mr. John Nmadu said: “Nwaoboshi is a senator who knows how to use, and dump, he is stingy, wicked and plays abrasive politics” while many of the senator’s supporters are currently asking God for his mercy, those in the know said the senator might not return in his bid for second when let off the hook as the party cacus recently resolved to queue behind Prince Ned Nwoko. Prince Nwoko, had in the past few months painted the state with his campaign posters, and had vowed to bring back the lost glory of Delta North.
Speaking to our correspondent, Mr. Norbert Chiazor said: “The people ahead of the 2019, prefer Prince Ned Nwoko to Nwaoboshi for obvious reasons, Ned has all it takes, he is detribalised, focus, we need him as the next senator to represent Delta North Senatorial district”.
Senator Nwaoboshi’s problem allegedly started when he was growing up, and in rude manners allegedly bully his seniors, many of whom in his community in Ibusa allegedly placed a curse on him.
But his media aide, Julius Okah dispelled the news, saying ,”There is no curse placed on the distinguished senator at all, it’s all lies”
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.
