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Probe Militants Over Fresh Threat To Oil Facilities, APC Urges FG
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, has urged the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the threat by the Niger Delta militants to bomb oil installation in the oil-rich states.
The APC deputy spokesperson equally called on security agencies to investigate the activities of the former NDDC acting Managing Director, Prof Nelson Brambaifa, and the people he described as Brambaifa’s ‘political masters.’
He frowned at the threats by Niger Delta militant groups to blow up oil installations and facilities in the region over a purported plan to take away the supervision of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
“I will only urge the Federal Government not to take the threat coming from the militant group as a mere threat. Any action by these individuals capable of destabilising the fragile Niger Delta region must be taken seriously.
“We cannot afford to go back to the era of bombing and destroying government facilities in the Niger Delta because of the selfish interest of the few,” Nabena stated.
The militants in Niger Delta had, last Monday, threatened to cause collateral damage to oil installations and facilities in the region should the Federal Government go ahead with the plan it wanted to implement.
The threat which came in a statement by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) and the coalition of nine militant groups read: “We will bring the nation to its knees and return Nigeria to the era of another recession if the Secretary to Federal Government and the so-called selfish self-centred, greedy power-drunken politicians refuse to stop their evil arrangement.”
However, reacting to the threat in a chat with newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, Nabena accused the former NDDC boss and his political masters of attempting to destabilise the oil-rich region through unconstitutional manoeuvres to control the NDDC.
Asked to name Brambaifa’s political masters, the APC deputy spokesman said: “The brains behind the dissolution of the NDDC board and the appointment of Nelson Brambaifa as the acting managing director in January, know themselves and it is public knowledge.
“They are the ones attempting to destabilise the Niger Delta region with their selfish plan to continue control of the NDDC”, he said.
Nabena also urged the Niger Delta youths to embrace peace and not allow themselves to be used by some persons to disrupt the peace and development of the oil-rich region.
“Our people should know that this President Muhammadu Buhari means well for the Niger Delta. People should stop reading political meaning into any action taken by the government,” he stated.
President Muhammadu Buhari recently approved the composition of the new board of the NDDC with former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Pius Odubu, as chairman, Bernard Okumagba as managing director, Otobong Ndem as executive director (projects) and Maxwell Okoh as executive director (finance and administration).
It would be recalled that a Niger Delta militant group, The Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA), had threatened to blow up oil installations and facilities in the region and bring the country to its “knees.”
RNDA vowed to carry out its threats should the Federal Government go ahead with the purported plan to take away supervision of the NDDC from Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
The militant’s threat was contained in a statement issued by its leader, self-styled “Gen” Johnmark Ezonbi, last Monday.
According to the statement: “We will bring the nation to its knees and return Nigeria to the era of another recession if the Secretary to Federal Government and the so-called selfish self-centred, greedy power-drunken politicians refuse to stop their evil arrangement.
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.
