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No Crisis In PDP, Wike Clarifies
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says his criticism of the National Working Committee (NWC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should not be misunderstood to mean there was irredeemable crisis in the party.
The governor also maintained that since he lacks the capacity to decamp to another political party, particularly, the All Progressives Congress (APC), he would continue to speak out against perceived abnormalities in the PDP to ensure it does not die.
He made this clarification when friends and political associates paid him a surprise visit, to felicitate with him and his wife, Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom-Wike on his birthday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Sunday night.
Wike explained that as a founding member of the PDP, he would continue to speak against whatever was militating against the progress of the party, irrespective of who was in charge of the NWC.
Wike said he would continue to stand on the path of truth to defend the interest of the state.
He used the occasion to further acknowledge God’s benevolence towards him and his family, particularly, for the privilege to become the governor of the state.
The governor said his preoccupation has always been to use every opportunity he has in public service to advance society and improve the quality of life of the people.
He dismissed insinuations that he was concentrating development in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
“I want to challenge anyone to tell me which local government that you can’t find the presence of our government. I can tell you exactly what we’re doing in each local government.
“People say all your development is in one area. I say fine, it means there’s development. However, it is concentrated in one area, I should be happy that I have come to develop a part of the state. When you come too, you can develop another part of the state. No one person can develop the whole areas of the state.”
Speaking on behalf of the Rivers State Executive Council, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo said the governor has been a friend and leader who was focused, vibrant, and determined to fulfil his promises to Rivers people.
The Chairman of the National Assembly Caucus, Senator George Sekibo said they were delighted to have the governor on the saddle because he has continued to drive development to every local government area of the state.
On his part, the South-South Zonal Vice Chairman of PDP, Chief Dan Orbih said members of the party in the South-South region were proud of Wike who has become the shining light of the party in the country.
Speaking, Rivers State PDP Chairman, Amb Desmond Akawor described the governor as the number one salesman of the party whose performance in office has endeared the party to every resident in the state.
Also speaking, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, who represented Abia North Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly, described Wike as a national colossus, an enigma and a miracle worker who has sustained his project delivery efforts in a manner that the blind can see.
Former Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Senator Olaka Nwogu said Wike has laid a fresh foundation upon which the state can continue to grow in terms of development and leadership.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Dr. Lars Richter described the developmental transformation of the state under Governor Wike as incredible.
The General Manager, Group Zonal Head of Zenith Bank, Mr. Sunday Ilegar, said Wike was a leader called by God and given to Nigeria as a precious gift to become the hope of the common man, provider of dividend of democracy, and has remained as s man of truth.
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.
