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Wike Gets Accolades Over Pension Approval For 2,673 Retirees
Retirees of the Rivers State Civil Service have commended Governor Nyesom Wike for approving monthly pension for a fresh batch of 2, 673 retirees.
The President, Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Rivers State, Rev. Gladman Amadi made the commendation during the association’s 2019 end of year seminar and luncheon in Port Harcourt yesterday.
Amadi said, “We must also thank God because presently in Rivers State, we are being taken care of by the State Government in terms of monthly pension payment. We hear or know what happens in other places within the country.
“Although we are being paid as at when due, yet there are areas concerning pension payment that we may intervene at an appropriate time,” he said.
According to him, the association comprises of seasoned administrators who have worked in various sectors, hence government of the day stand to benefit from its wealth of knowledge and experiences.
The Director General, Rivers State Pension Board, Ijeoma E.O Samuel, had in a statement made available to The Tide, yesterday, said the latest approval is in addition to the15,400 pensioners already in the monthly payroll of the State government.
The statement reads, “The Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has graciously approved payment of monthly pension for another batch of 2,673 retirees from the Rivers State public service. This is in addition to the over 15,400 pensioners already in the monthly payroll of the Rivers State Government.”
Samuel emphasized that the approval could not have come at a better time, noting that this further confirms that the present administration of Governor Nyesom Wike is committed to the wellbeing of public servants in the state.
The statement further said the board’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) Department will soon commence biometric verification exercise for the next batch of public servants retiring between August and December, 2019.
The Director General of the State Pension Board thanked the Governor for fulfilling his promises to pensioners, describing the gesture as a Christmas and New Year gift.
“Finally the Director General congratulated the pensioners and wished them a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the State Government has restated its commitment to the welfare of retirees of the Civil Service, assuring that all outstanding issues of pensions and gratuities would be addressed as many of them were already receiving their monthly allowances.
The State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo gave the assurance while speaking during the 2019 end of year seminar and luncheon of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Rivers State yesterday.
Represented by Ben Roberts in the office of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Harry- Banigo called on those who were yet to receive their allowance to exercise patients, while charging them to undergo their biometrics in order to be absorbed accordingly.
“It is a good thing to be in the midst of retired Permanent Secretaries of which you all know that Her Excellency is one of you. She has come with a message for you to keep hope alive. To be focused and ensure that you take paramount care of your life, which is of essence. The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, is working tirelessly to see that all the backlog of retirees in the State are paid.
“A Committee was just set-up and the committee has submitted its report. What is going on now is that some of them are still doing their biometrics and many of them are already receiving their monthly pensions.
“Though the payment of some has not been effected, but many of them have been enrolled and they have started receiving their monthly pensions. What most of them are complaining about is the backlog of pension and gratuity. I assure you that very soon it will be addressed and all the issues would be resolved.”
Earlier, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Rivers State, Rev. Gladman Amadi, said one of the dreams of the body is to organize seminars for retired permanent secretaries to help them live a stress-free life in retirement.
Rev. Amadi further said the association was formed in 2016 during which it set up few issues to address, including enhancing the welfare of its members and relate with the Rivers State Government and other relevant agencies.
“The association is also aimed at getting to know one another intimately and to offer assistance or companionship where necessary,” he said.
He continued that the body has done well within the short period of its existence and that there was much to be achieved going forward, noting that the body had engaged in health walk and health screening aimed at ensuring the wellbeing of members as well as ensure their health status.
By: Dennis Naku, Charity Opara & Favour Ekeke
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.
