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Troops Target Recapture Of Baga, Others …As Boko Haram Attacks 16 Towns In Borno
The Federal Government said yesterday that troops were working hard to free Baga and other towns captured by the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno.
The Coordinator, National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, stated this while giving newsmen an update on ongoing troops operation in the North East.
Omeri, however, said the situation in Baga had improved.
But when asked to make clarification on the improvement, Omeri said disclosing strategy could endanger troops operations in that area.
The coordinator said troops operations were being reviewed with a view to improving logistics and support for them to defeat the insurgents.
According to him, officers are being trained and re-trained to update their skills and capacity, while surveillance, intelligence sharing and synergy are being enhanced.
Omeri also said that there were consultations among security chiefs and their retired colleagues, traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders to bring their experiences to bear on the fight against the insurgents.
He assured the people of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa that government was working steadfastly to restore normalcy but added this would be done in a way to reduce loss of lives and property.
However, Boko Haram has launched renewed attacks around Borno, razing at least 16 towns and villages.
A local government official told our source that the insurgents to the ground all the 16 towns and villages including Baga, Dorn-Baga, Mile 4, Mile 3, Kauyen Kuros and Bunduram,” said Musa Bukar, head of the Kukawa local government in Borno state.
Head of Borno’s fish traders union and a Baga native, Abubakar Gamandi, confirmed the attacks, which happened Wednesday, adding that hundreds of people who fled were trapped on islands on Lake Chad.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, yesterday called on Muslims and Christians to come together to end insurgency in the country.
Abubakar made the call at the opening ceremony of the 29th National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
“What is happening to our brothers in the Northern parts of the country is bad and we must come together to find an end to this insurgency,” he said.
He said that those perpetuating evil under the name of Islam had dented the image of the religion.
“As Muslims, we must all stand and counter this violence that has dented the image of Islam.
“Islam stands for peace, people doing so many things in the name of Islam should look inward and repent,” he said.
The sultan urged religious leaders to continue to pray for the peace and unity of the country.
“Religious leaders should continue to pray for our leaders because if you don’t pray for them, they will do the wrong thing, but if you pray for them, they will do the right thing.’’
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, urged those hiding under the name of religion to commit crime to desist from it, saying that “violence does not pay”.
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.
