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FG Set To Repeal National Lottery Act
The Federal Government says all machinery has been put in motion to repeal the National Lottery Act (NLA), 2005.
It said that after the repeal of the Act, it would be replaced by the National Gaming Act (NGA), 2021.
The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, disclosed this in Gombe, during the virtual inauguration and handing over of vital medical equipment to the state’s Specialist Hospital and Federal Teaching Hospital.
Items donated include ultrasound scan machine, digital x-ray machine, oxygen concentrators, theatre beds, and Personal Protective Equipment.
Akume noted that the National Gaming Act would accommodate the growing dynamism of lottery business in the country.
He charged all persons and organisations licensed to operate gaming business to be ready to meet up with their statutory obligations to avoid being sanctioned.
He added said, “Government is committed in ensuring that returns obtainable from other non-oil sources of revenues are maximised. Lottery is one of such alternative revenue sources, and this government is determined to make it more productive and sustainable
“As the sector becomes firmly established, it is our expectation that lottery will be included in the strategic plans of the nation.”
Also speaking, Executive Secretary/CEO, National Lottery Trust Fund, Dr. Bello Maigari, said the decision of the Federal Government to establish the National Lottery Trust Fund is “indicative of a government that recognises the importance of lottery as a vehicle in enhancing the social well-being of its citizenry through investment in its various lottery good cause intervention projects that are creative, relevant, timely and economically sustainable.”
Maigari, who was represented at the occasion by head of operation, NLTF, Abubakar Nakwada noted that the essence of the intervention is to provide “vital medical equipment to under-served communities in the hope that government will make all the difference in saving lives and reversing the deteriorating health conditions leveraging the use of Hi-Tech diagnostic equipment to provide high standards of care to vulnerable segment of society with sizeable percentage of state across the six geo-political zones covered so far in the phase of the intervention.”
Speaking, Chief Medical Director of Federal Teaching Hospital, Dr Yusuf Abdullahi said the donation has improved how they managed patients
He said over 100,000 patients have benefitted from various vital equipment donated.
The chief medical director appealed to the Federal Government for alternative power, saying that the hospital spent over N113million on monthly basis for power supply.
“I will like to sincerely appreciate Minister of Special Duties and Inter Government Affairs, and National Lottery Trust Fund. It has improved the way and manner we have been managing our patients,” Abdullahi said.
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.
