News
Eze Evo Seeks Sustenance Of Culture
His Royal Majesty, Eze Leslie Eke, Eze OhaEvo, Eze Gbakagbaka III of Evo Kingdom in Rivers State, has underscored the need to revive and sustain at the grassroots, time-tested traditional norms and values that bind Nigerians together, in order to build a better society.
Eze Gbakagbaka said this, during the coronation ceremony of the Nye Udu Ede Upata I, HRH Eze Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, while he paid glowing tributes to the Eze Igbu Upata III of Upata Kingdom, HRM King Felix Enene Otuwarikpo.
Eze Eke noted that the Upata Kingdom has remained largely peaceful on account of King Otuwarikpo’s leadership since he ascended the throne.
He also noted that the traditional institutions are the custodians of values and norms as they play important roles, especially at the grassroots.
He however urged parents to cultivate the habit of teaching their children the values, norms and language of their people to enable them appreciate the rich culture handed down by their forefathers.
The Evo Monarch, who was the chairman of the occasion, described the native language as the life wire of any society, stressed that the poor state of affairs in relation to the relegation of the native language and culture must be urgently addressed.
While he addressed his people, Eze Otuwarikpo enjoined them to shun crime because “some persons can carry gun and become millionaires in other Ethnic Nationality but the gods of Ekpeye abhors it. Those who carry gun in Ekpeye for crime remain poor and they don’t make progress.”
He called on those bearing arms to hand them over to government and warned against acts that could plunge the society into crisis, advising Eze Anugwo to commit himself to carry his subjects along to a new era of peace, stability and progress in Upata Kingdom.
Noting that the historical relevance of the stool of Ede people span decades, Eze Otuwarikpo assured that he has dedicated himself to building on and surpassing the worthy legacies of his much acclaimed predecessor, Eze Clifford Cheta Nwuche.
Eze Otuwarikpo, who eulogised Eze Anugwo as an employer of labour, assured that the Upata people will key into the developmental vision of Governor Nyesom Wike, stressing passionately that the Upata vision “does not permit jealousy, it does not permit greed and it doesn’t permit blackmails.”
In his goodwill message to the Ede Upata people, Executive Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government, Barr Ben Eke, congratulated the Nye Udu Ede and urged him to uphold the values of his people and those of the Upata Kingdom.
The event which was graced with traditional dances, attracted dignitaries from far and near including Eze IgbuIgbuduya II, HRM Eze Joshua Eyiba, Wakili of Fika, Alhaji Abba Goji and President General of Uzugbani Ekpeye, Professor Dulu Appah.
Others are Hon Federal House of Representatives Member-Elect, Abua/Odual and Ahoada East Federal Constituency, Barr Bob Solomon, High Chief Grant Orugbani, Rivers State Commissioner for Local Government Service Commission,Hon Stephen Ihua, Maduenyi, former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Stephen Ezekwem, among other top traditional rulers, politicians and captains of industries.
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.
