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Don’t Manhandle Our Son, Kanu’s Family Tells FG
The family of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has asked the Federal Government not to manhandle their son and the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
His younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, who spoke in Umuahia, yesterday, said Nnamdi stood on the part of the truth and committed no crime to deserve any persecution.
According to him, Nnamdi was only asking for the freedom of Biafrans which is their fundamental human rights.
Hence, his right should be respected.
He said the whole world is watching on how the Federal Government would handle him.
Emmanuel noted that his brother had awaken the consciousness of Nigerians about the goings-on in the country.
“My brother stood for the truth, and Heaven is on the part of anyone standing for the truth.
“He committed no crime, and the whole world is watching,” Emmanuel added.
Meanwhile, there has been uneasy calm across Umuahia, following the news of Kanu’s aresst.
People were observed discussing the matter in hushed tones with some people still bewildered about the entire scenario, while some doubted the reality of the news.
However, the Igbo National Council (INC), yesterday, said that the Federal Government should tread with caution on the arrest and extradition to Nigeria of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The INC President, Chilos Godsent, made this statement in Owerri, hours after the reports of the arrest of Kanu.
According to him, the IPOB’s leader arrest could spark protests if not well managed.
The INC said, “We have read with rude shock the news of the arrest of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), and its extradition to Nigeria.
“We wish to advise the Federal Government of Nigeria to tread with caution as the arrest and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is capable of heightening the tension in Nigeria in view of the fragile state of the Nigeria State. The arrest may trigger heavy protest in many parts of Nigeria if cares is not taken in handling the issues.”
“INC, therefore, advises the Federal Government of Nigeria to seek for a more peaceful means to resolve the root causes of the agitations by the various component ethnic nationalities in Nigeria seeking for proper structuring of Nigeria and grant of rights to self-determination.
“On the foregoing, the Igbo National Council (INC) Worldwide is still studying the situation and will respond appropriately at the right time,” INC said.
Similarly, the apex Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo called for calm over the re-arrest of Nnamdi Kanu.
The Igbo group also urged the Federal Government to handle his trial with caution and due legal procedure.
Ohanaeze cautioned Igbos to desist from any form of protest that will endanger the South-East and Nigeria.
The organisation’s Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, made the call in reaction to the rearrest of the IPOB’s leader.
In a statement he issued, Isiguzoro said, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls for calm and cautions Igbos to desist from any form of protests and processions that will bring more catastrophe for Southeastern Nigeria.
“The re-arrest of Nnamdi Kanu the leader of IPOB is the beginning of the end of violent agitations in southeastern Nigeria and a lesson to others.
“Deviation from non-violent agitations contradicted what Igbos are known for. Self-determination should not be used for purposes of fortune and fame-seeking.
“Nnamdi Kanu’s refusal to adhere to the advice of Igbo leaders, elders and political leaders is the outcome of what had befallen him, he made a lot of enemies, especially those that would have saved him and the Federal Government will never lose grip on him again.
“We don’t think that any Igbo leader will stick out his/her neck for him, his re-arrest will eventually bring peace and stability to the region and avert another civil war that was raging on.
“The Federal Government should handle the situation carefully because of his large followers, his trial should be strictly based on the laws of the land, they shouldn’t kill him because it will destabilize the entire country.”
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.
