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Nigerians Eager To Welcome PDP Back -Ciroma
Nigerians are eager to have the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) back to government having experienced the disappointment the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has become, Hajia Inna Ciroma has observed.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday, the former Minister of Women Affairs and National Deputy chairmanship aspirant of the PDP said the APC has been unable to fulfill their campaign promises, necessitating a yearning in Nigerians for the return of the PDP.
She said: “I can tell you very proudly that PDP has done a lot for this country. People that tell you PDP has done nothing are just playing mere politics.
“We knew what PDP did in 16 years, we know where we are coming from, we knew where we were in 2015.
“Therefore, after testing the difference of PDP not being in power, Nigerians are now saying ‘we have made a mistake.’
“Propaganda was used, a lot of others things were used to keep PDP out of power. They capitalised on so many things, insecurity, corruption, all sort of things. Have these things changed?
“So, Nigerians are saying let’s go back to PDP because this party came to prominence based on programmes that the party fulfilled.”
She said it was to the credit of the former ruling party that the military was kept out of power for 16 years for the first time in the history of the country.
Citing other major achievements by the PDP in power, the former PDP National Woman Leader, said Nigeria has lost track under the APC, causing nostalgia among Nigerians about the PDP.
“That is why Nigerians are telling PDP ‘come back, we are waiting for you,’” she stated.
She was therefore confident that the former ruling party will return to power in 2019 but stressed the need for unity among its members.
Ciroma advised the PDP to remain resilient as an opposition party or Nigeria may lose its democracy, saying: “if the opposition is weak, then we end up with a dictatorship. I don’t think Nigerians are ready for that.”
She dismissed the notion that the north may not be ready to accept a woman as deputy national chairman for north because of religious or cultural inhibitions, noting that she has worked in leadership positions with male folks from the region without any problem.
She stated: “I don’t think that is an issue anymore. I have been in the hierarchy of this party. The people we work with on how to move the party forward are men and a lot of them are from the north.
“When they call meetings of leaders from the north, we are leaders from the north, we attend the meetings. Therefore, for me, I don’t think it’s an issue for anybody because the world has moved forward.”
The wife of Mallam Adamu Ciroma, a founding member of the PDP, praised the national leadership of the party, its state governors and other national party organs for the efforts they put it to resolve its recent crisis.
Meanwhile, former Finance Minister, Senator Nenadi Usman and Lagos State PDP chieftain, Chief Remi Adiukwu-Bakare have returned their nominations forms for the posts of National Secretary and Deputy National Woman Leader respectively, for the upcoming national convention of the party.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja, Usman maintained that her ongoing corruption case brought against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will have no effect on her chances.
She promised to work towards repositioning the PDP if she becomes its scribe.
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.
