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Vote PDP Out Now, Buhari Tells Nigerians
Presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, (rtd) yesterday in Benin urged Nigerians to vote the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), out of power before it kills Nigeria and Nigerians.
Buhari who was in Benin, Edo State capital to canvass for votes, reiterated his commitment to eradicating insecurity in the North-Eastern part of the country, providing employment for the teeming youths and tackling corruption.
“Before PDP kills Nigeria, we better vote them out of power. Use your Permanent Voter’s Card to constitutionally kill PDP in Nigeria,” Buhari urged the people.
The APC presidential hopeful who was welcomed by a tumultuous crowd of party faithful and supporters at the Dr. Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, said every household in the country has suffered from the effect of the misgovernance of the PDP.
He listed insecurity as his first priority if elected President, just as he listed unemployment and fight against corruption as other areas he would tackle headlong.
Noting the danger unemployment poses to the country, Buhari said the quickest way for job creation was through agriculture which will empower farmers through provision of farming inputs and provision of soft loans to people to set up their own businesses, stressing that his administration would tackle corruption which he noted was responsible for most of the country’s problems.
The APC standard bearer also promised to assist Edo and other South-Eastern States in the fight to end erosion.
Buhari noted that the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was only able to generate between 3000 and 4000 Megawatts of electricity after the PDP government had spent over $20 billion in 16 years, and regretted that the output had even nose-dived today.
He, therefore, pledged to fix the power problem confronting the nation.
Earlier, national leader of APC and former governor of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu while addressing the mammoth crowd at the rally ground, called on Edo people to embark on “common sense revolution” by voting for the APC, saying that the country was tired of promises, as the ruling PDP government had failed to provide jobs for over 50 million unemployed youths, curb insecurity, secure the release of 270 abducted Chibok girls, among others, even as he promised that under APC government the nation’s comatose refineries would be revived.
Also speaking, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said Edo was the perfect story of Nigeria which six years ago could be liken to a disused vehicle, lacking all accessories, that today the story has changed, adding that like Edo, Nigeria will change when Buhari becomes President.
He listed the issues that will define the election as insecurity which led to 30 local governments to be taken from Nigeria by insurgents, dead refineries through which a few in the present administration were defrauding the country, the importation of petroleum products and lack of power supply for which Nigerians were being fleeced through payment of high bills, including fixed charges for electricity not supplied, among others.
Director-General of the APC Campaign Organisation, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of River State, while welcoming party faithful to the rally, said President Jonathan while campaigning in the state on Wednesday admitted his failure in performing in the South-South states, tagging the president as a man who kept making promises without fulfilling them.
He therefore charged the people of Edo and the South-South Region to vote Jonathan and PDP out of power, as they could not continue to dwell on promises.
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.
