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Declare State Of Emergency In N’ East …As FG Rejects Call -Clark
A former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States in view of the persistent terrorists’ attacks and insecurity in the states.
Clark, who is also an elder statesman, asked the President to remove the governors of affected states, saying their sacking would make the war on insurgency meaningful and easy.
Clark stated this in an open letter he addressed to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), which he read to journalists at his residence last Monday in Abuja.
He accused Governors Bindo Jibrilla (Adamawa), Kashim Shettima(Borno) and Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe) of frustrating efforts of the Federal Government in nipping the war in the bud because of what he described as the governors’ selfishness and what they stand to gain.
He alleged that the Borno State governor takes the advantage of being the Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum by always travelling out of the state and abandoning his people.
The foremost Ijaw leader explained that the state of emergency in the three states was necessary in order to allow the military clear the remnants of the insurgents in them.
He appealed to Malami to prevail on President Buhari to act fast and mandate the military to end insurgency within six months.
The ex-minister said the abduction of 110 Dapchi school girls was a clear indication that the Boko Haram terrorists were still very active in the North-East and ready to cause more damage.
He stated that insecurity in the country and particularly in the North-East should not be seen as a normal phenomenon, adding that pragmatic military and political approaches were necessary to stem the tide.
Clark noted that it has become imperative to put in place a state of emergency with senior military officers as the sole administrators.
He said, “Buhari should declare a total state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States. This will create conducive atmosphere for the military to clear the remnants of Boko Haram.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has dismissed calls for the declaration of a state of emergency in the North-East, explaining that the action would not be enough to win the war against Boko Haram insurgency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
The Presidency made the explanation in response to the suggestion made by a former Federal Commissioner of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, among other stakeholders.
Clark had asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in the three north-eastern states to check the escalation of the insurgency in the area.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, who reacted to the calls in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, said that a similar state of emergency in the past did not yield any positive result.
“Under President (Goodluck Jonathan), state of emergency was declared in those three states, what did it achieve?” he questioned, adding “that is already telling you that it goes beyond a state of emergency.”
While making the call, Clark had expressed optimism that declaring a state of emergency in the states would assist in curbing the activities of terrorists in the troubled North-East region.
He also condemned the abduction of 110 schoolgirls by the insurgents in Dapchi, Yobe State, and accused the state governor as well as those of Borno and Adamawa States of failing in their duties as chief security officers of their states.
But Adesina insisted that the Federal Government has a totally different approach to fighting the insurgency.
“What should happen is bringing a decisive and final end to the insurgency raving those states, and by the grace of God, we are almost there.”
The presidential aide, who announced earlier in a statement that President Buhari would be visiting some troubled states in the country, explained the rationale behind the visits.
“The President is going to those states to visit everyone; all stakeholders are going to be invited for meetings – traditional rulers, farmers, herdsmen, community leaders,” Adesina said.
He listed the states to include Rivers, Benue, Adamawa, Taraba and Jigawa.
Adesina denied claims that the visits were delayed for political reasons, noting that the President has decided to embark on the visits after studying the reports of the delegations he sent to the states.
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.
