News
Obuah Recommits To Hospitality, Tourism Promotion
The Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah, has declared that he would not relent in promoting tourism and hospitality in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
A press release signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, last Monday, and made available to The Tide, said Bro. Obuah made the declaration shortly after receiving the prestigious award from the management of the nation’s top tabloid, The Sun Newspaper, in his office in Port Harcourt.
Obuah said he would seize every opportunity given to him by God to engage in ventures that would improve the welfare of humanity.
At a brief ceremony which was witnessed by senior management of The Sun group of Newspapers, led by its Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, principal officers of RIWAMA, leadership of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) Legislative Assembly, some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Special Advisers to Governor Nyesom Wike, former Commissioners, Bro. Obuah said his foray into the hospitality and tourism industry was driven by his passion to create employment opportunities to the teeming youths in the state as well as making Omoku, the headquarters of ONELGA, the tourism destination of the state.
Bro. Obuah, who is the immediate past Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, described The Sun newspaper as a credible news medium where investigative journalism is exemplified, praying that the Almighty God would make the newspaper to excel beyond the shores of Nigeria.
He said he had since learnt that every act of benevolence shown to mankind is richly rewarded by God, adding that it gave him the conviction and motivation to do more.
Bro Obuah, who is also the Founder/Sole Sponsor of Go-Round Football Club of Omoku, said he regarded his choice for the award as a privilege and an act of grace as, according to him, there were tens of thousands of others eminently qualified for the award.
He expressed gratitude to God and to the cross-section of Nigerians who deemed him fit for the award and pledged his devotion to the promotion of hospitality and tourism not only in Rivers State but Nigeria as a whole.
“I draw my inspiration from the exemplary style of His Excellency, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, Governor of Rivers State who is leaving no stone unturned to make Rivers State the tourism hub of the nation.
“I dedicate this award and many more to come, first to God Almighty whose abundant Grace on me made this possible; to Governor Wike, ‘Mr. Projects’ and the Governor of our time, and to the generality of thegood people of Rivers State and the less privileged in society for their continued support to what we are doing in the State”, said Obuah.
He berated former Governor Rotimi Amaechi over attempts to demolish his Krisdera Hotels and Resorts, an edifice which today has showcased him to the world.
“My gratitude goes to Governor Nyesom Wike who in spite of all odds stood by me and revoked what the former governor wanted to do to the hotel. Amaechi knew that the hotel would bring development, employment and tourism for our people, but because of political differences, he felt it should be demolished”, Bro. Obuah said.
Earlier, while handing over the award plaque and certificate of Award to Bro. Obuah, the Managing Director/Editor-in-chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, had commended Bro. Obuah for what he called his tireless quest for hospitality and humanitarian services to mankind.
He also revealed that the award presentation to the RIWAMA boss would alongside other recipients, be aired on three national and cable television channels November 28, 2020 with the title: “The Sun Award Night”.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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.
