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Ex-Militant Leaders Meet Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday assured ex-militants that the Federal Government was committed to the implementation of the amnesty programme and total transformation of the region.
Jonathan said this when he received the ex-militants who visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on solidarity over the October 1 twin-bomb blasts in Abuja.
The president, who received the former militants alongside Vice-President Namadi Sambo, said the “little hitches’’ hampering the implementation of the programme would be resolved very soon.
Jonathan said: “I sincerely appreciate your coming to tell, not only Nigerians, but the world what you stand for.
“As somebody who is also from the Niger Delta, I have a fair knowledge of the oil industry and the evolution of the Niger Delta issues.
“ I want to plead with you that even though like most programmes, we might have hitches, but I want to assure you that the government is actually committed.
“‘By God’s grace, most of these little hitches will be resolved.”
The president wondered why anyone would choose the jubilee celebration of the nation to express misgivings, if at all there was any.
He said the visit by the group had further confirmed the position that it was not a militant group, MEND, that was the mastermind of the attack, but a terrorist group sponsored from outside the country.
“I am happy that you are here because I am from there and I know all the actors and leadership of MEND.
“I am happy that you have told Nigerians and the rest of the world that it is not MEND that did it,’’ he said.
Jonathan said the bomb incident had “opened the eyes of the government’’ on how to improve on security network to forestall future recurrence.
“He thanked the ex-militants for their pledge to work with government to expose the perpetrators of the blasts.
“I want to thank you for coming to reassure us and pledge with the government to help it unearth some of these issues,’’ he said.
Our correspondent reports that the ex-militants numbering more than 90, in one voice dissociated themselves from the bombing.
They also promised to work with the Federal Government to fish out those who were the mastermind of the dastardly act.
The group also noted that the name “Gbomo Jomo’’ is a pseudo name that did not exist and could be used by anybody that has access to the group’s password.
Notable ex-militant leaders in attendance include Alhaji Mujahedeen Asari Dokubo, Chief Government Ekpomolo (Tompolo) and Ebikabowe Victor (Boyloaf).
Ateke Tom, Comrade Fara Dagogo, Shoot At Sight, Eberi Papa and Buster Ryme were also in attendance.
Boyloaf told the audience that MEND was not responsible for the condemnable act.
“We have disarmed. We say so to the world, these people claiming that they are MEND are impersonating.
“It is a terrorist act. The people responsible for the act should be dealt with accordingly,” he said.
Tompolo, who is the overall Commander of MEND, corroborated Boyloaf that MEND was not responsible for the act.
“I am the leader of MEND. We are not part of the incident of October 1. MEND is not involved. I am the owner of MEND.
“We are going to work with you to save this country for everyone,” he said.
The President of Ijaw Youth Council, Kuromiema Mabiye, who led the group, described the act as “dastardly irresponsible and morally reprehensible’’.
Alhaji Mahajeed Asari Dokubo, the Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, described the action as heinous and condemnable.
He denied the involvement of any of the genuine agitators from the region in the incident.
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.
