Nation
205 Benefit From OPM’s Free Eye Screening In Abia
The General Overseer, Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has offered free eye screening to 205 persons in Ohanku Ndoki, Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State.
Chinyere said this while speaking with newsmen on Sunday at the venue of the screening in Ohanku Ndoki.
He said that the screening included eye tests, examination, treatment and provision of free eye glasses to the people in the community and its environs.
“Many people are faced with eye problems, but cannot go to the hospital due to lack of money.
“By the grace of God, I decided to use money realised from the offering and tithe to offer this free treatment,” he said.
Chinyere added that the drugs offered to the people were also free as well as the eye glasses.
He implored other men of God and well- meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture by offering similar services to the people.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Uche Okere said he was surprised as what he heard about the man of God had been manifested in his life.
He said that he had almost lost his sight because he had no resources to visit the hospital.
“I am grateful to God for having such man who cares for the poor and needy. I thanked Chinyere for this noble gesture,” he said.
When he was asked how much he paid to receive treatment, he said that he paid nothing because the man of God said it was free.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Victoria Onyedinachi, also thanked Chinyere for what she described as ‘rescue mission’ for members of the community with eye problems.
According to her, she thought she would not be allowed to participate because she was not a member of his Church.
“I am surprised they did not discriminate against people,” she added.
Rev Chukwudiazu Onu, an Anglican priest and one of the beneficiaries commended the man of God for being helper to many.
He said that what Chinyere was doing was what God wanted from men of God, adding that only few men of God like him were doing what God commanded.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ukwa East LGA, Mr Chuks Wabara, thanked Chinyere for all his contributions to humanity.
Wabara acknowledged that Chinyere’s prayers contributed to his victory at the poll.
He also commended Chinyere for building a school and an hospital in the community.
Responding, Chinyere admonished the Chairman to govern with the fear of God knowing that it was God that put him there.
Chinyere hails from Ohanku Ndoki in Ukwa East LGA of Abia State and he is well known for his love for the people, especially those at the grassroots level.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
A pan-Nigeria organisation committed to the promotion and preservation of indigenous languages, Indigenous Language and Culture Promoters (ILCP), has called for the deliberate development and compulsory teaching of indigenous languages in both primary and secondary schools across the country.
The group made the call during its maiden Congress held in Bori, Rivers State, which was convened to examine challenges hindering the official adoption and effective teaching of Ogoni languages in schools.
Speaking at the Congress, the Executive Director of the organisation, HRC Mene Magnus Edooh, Amb.P, emphasised the critical role of indigenous languages in preserving a people’s culture, values and history. He warned against the gradual extinction of native languages, noting that language loss equates to identity loss.
“Years ago, Latin was a language of global relevance, but today it is largely extinct. We do not want Ogoni languages to suffer a similar fate. As a people, we cannot afford to lose our identity through the death of our languages,” Edooh said.
He explained that the Indigenous Language and Culture Promoters was established to collaborate with language stakeholders to ensure that children and younger generations remain connected to their mother tongues. The organisation also appealed to governments at all levels, as well as relevant institutions and individuals, to take strategic actions aimed at promoting and sustaining Nigeria’s indigenous languages.
Also speaking, the newly appointed Director of Media and Information, Prince David N. Gbarato, questioned the rationale behind government reluctance to accord indigenous languages their rightful place in national development policies.
According to him, “People with well-developed languages are people with well-developed indigenous systems and affairs,” stressing that language development is fundamental to cultural and societal advancement.
The Congress further served as a platform for the ratification of key officers of the organisation and featured the participation of representatives from various indigenous language groups and other language stakeholders, all of whom echoed the call for renewed commitment towards safeguarding Nigeria’s linguistic heritage.
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