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Why Kalabari’s May Not Produce Next Gov -David-West … Flays Upland/Riverine Dichotomy
Social critic and renowned Virologist, Prof Tam David-West has expressed doubt over the possibility of having a governor of Kalabari extraction as a successor to Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Prof David West, who was a guest Speaker at the first Rivers leadership Network Summit held at the auditorium of the Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex, yesterday said the dream of having a Kalabari Governor in 2015 was illusive.
Prof David West explained that such dream was not realizable at the moment because of high level of disunity and division among the Kalabari people.
The division in Kalabari is worse than the division in Rivers State, the Kalabari people do not love themselves, we are our own worst enemies”, he stated.
He however, challenged the people of Kalabari to put their house in order and achieve unity of purpose before they begin to think of actualizing the dream of producing the governor of the state.
The one-time petroleum minister noted, however, that he was not an enemy of the Kalabari people.
As a Kalabari man himself, he said he was concerned about the division among the people, and stated that criticism should be taken as complementary to socio-economic development and should not be viewed with negative interpretation.
Prof David West also frowned at the political philosophy of having emotional sympathy for an non-performing leader based on ethnic or religious consideration.
He said his criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan was because of the lack of internal democracy in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which had hampered national growth and development.
He commended the Pan Rivers leadership Network for holding the first summit as a platform for promoting harmonious relationship among peoples of the state, and emphasized that ‘Rivers State cannot make any meaningful national impact, except it is united”.
Speaking the topic the , “Quest for Unity in Rivers State, a Contemporary Perspective”, Prof David-West, said Rivers State has gone through a chequered political history, saying that he has been an avid critic of all the governors in the state.
But he took exception to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who he described as an ‘exceptional performer”.
He said the numerous projects embarked upon by Governor Amaechi, were eloquent testimonies of his good work, and likened him to Governor Fashola Babatunde of Lagos State.
He, however, emphasized the need for a good succession plan in Rivers State to ensure that the goodwork embarked upon by Amaechi was not swept under the carpet.
Meanwhile, former Minister of Petroleum and Commissioner for Education in old Rivers State, Prof. Tam David-West says it is high time upland and riverine was jettisoned for a more unified political front and common purpose.
Prof. David-West, who condemned the political division amongst people from the riverine and upland areas of the state at 1st Pan-Rivers Leadership Summit organised by the Pan African Leadership Network in Port Harcourt yesterday said it was a mere creation of politicians to divide and rule the state.
Said David-West ,’’ so upland Rivers dichotomy is nonsense. There is scarcely any riverine that you cannot trace an upland blood ‘’.
He advocated the need for unity of purpose, maintaining that this was one way to make impact at the federal level.
The professor of virology, said he had been an advocate of good governance and would always remain opposed to any government that wastes the resources of the people.
For him, leadership must be able to chart new course, guide and educate the people, while emphasizing that leadership must also be by example.
Calling on the need for total reflection by the people on the future, he remarked that,’’ if you don’t know the past, the present is not assured. If you don’t know the present, the future is in jeopardy’’.
Condemning sycophancy, the elderstatesman stressed that good governance must be hinged on frugal spending of public funds and transparency, observing that so far Governor Amaechi has demonstrated accountability,’’
Amaechi is the first governor who after getting money called everybody and said this is the amount of money I have. So, why would I not love a governor that is transparent and has engaged contractors from Rivers State? ‘’
He, therefore, summoned the people of the state to come together to build a united and peaceful state, as he prayed for a better leader to take over from the governor in 2015.
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.
