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9th NASS: AYF Rejects APC’s Zoning Arrangement
The Arewa Youth Forum, AYF, has expressed dismay over the zoning of National Assembly leadership positions by the National leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
AYF called on all distinguished Senators and honourable members, House of Representatives-elect to use their discretion, sense of judgment, patriotism and manifestos of those contesting to vote for candidates of their choice “in the overriding interest of our fatherland as a prerequisite to moving Nigeria forward and position it to its rightful place among nations.”
A statement jointly signed by Bello Abdulhamid and Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, National Director, Public Affairs and President of AYF said, “The Arewa Youth Forum, AYF, has received with surprise, the recent position of the National Leader of All Progressive Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, dictating who will emerge as the Senate President as well as the Speaker House of Representatives for the 9th Assembly. We are also amazed by the statement credited to the Party Chieftain where he was quoted to posit that Party officials not comfortable with the choice and dictate of the party as orchestrated by him and some party officials are free to leave the APC.
“So much so that we consider this statement as unbecoming of the National Leader. Also, we believe that this dictatorial tendencies are undemocratic, unethical, not in line with international best practices, politically incorrect and in bad taste.
“To any right thinking and close observers of the polity, this unfolding development showcases Bola Tinubu as anti-North and is selfishly paving his way to have a total control of the APC and its tidings as well as influence the decision of the Party Chairman, all as a build-up to the 2023 elections.
“An Elder who is supposed to toe the path of amicable resolution and embrace the spirit of reconciliation particularly amongst the contestants, is openly found to be overbearing and divisive by all intents. Also, we consider the position of the sage on the proposed Federal Government’s decision on VAT as counter-productive and out of tune with global trends.”
The Forum therefore, maintained that “the singular action, especially as it affects the National Assembly, smacks of the problematic issue of influence of Godfathers, which overtime has been a serious draw back to the tenet of good governance.
“The so called ‘Godsons/Daughters’ are in shackles, enslaved and captive to the whims and caprices of their bosses; hence the desirous and ever needed delivery of democracy dividends through good governance is stunted and threatened.
“For the record, each and every distinguished Senator and Honourable member of House of Representatives-Elect have rights to aspire and stand for election into various offices, and as well have votes to cast, subject to the laws guiding this exercise in the National Assembly.”
“It is disturbing and disheartening that distinguished Senators and honourable members-elect instead of being allowed the freedom to use their conscience, sound judgment, and conviction based on agendas of candidates aspiring for leadership positions in the National Assembly, efforts are being made to remotely control, teleguide, arm twist and force them to vote for candidates whose leadership of the National Assembly may be counter-productive to the accelerated and sustainable delivery of democracy dividends and socio-economic development of Nigeria,” the statement explained.
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.
