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Seek Foreign Help To End Insecurity, Christian Elders Tell Buhari
The Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to be shy in seeking foreign help in ending insecurity in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by NOSCEF’s Chairman, Engineer Ejoga Oyinehi Inalegwu, made available to newsmen in Kaduna, yesterday, the Christian elders said, “there is nothing to be ashamed of now, seeking external assistance to end the insecurity.
“With attacks on military institutions, killings and burning of houses in villages with boundary with an Army Divisional Headquarters unchecked and killing in tens and burning of houses when the military is enforcing a curfew, what other shame are we running from?
“We urge the Federal Government to seek every aid and help from everyone needed to bring this insecurity to an end before the people begin to believe there is more than meets the eyes in the spread of the insecurity.
“We again want to express our concerns over the deteriorating security condition in the North West and North Central of Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Zamfara and Katsina.
“We are shocked that the killings in Zango Kataf have continued unabated in spite of all the peace meetings and we have not heard of any arrests or prosecution.
“We condemn the killing of the Irigwes just next to the Army Divisional Headquarters in Jos without intervention, the killing of travellers along the same axis and the killing of 35 people, as well as burning of houses when security is expected to be enforcing a curfew.
“We expect the same zeal and vigour in the arrest of perpetrators of these dastardly acts against humanity as we saw when the travellers were murdered.
“When that fails, people are left in disbelief and justifiably question the sincerity or fair-mindedness on the part of the government in ensuring justice is served from those that have the responsibility to decisively deal with the situations without bias,” it said.
“The government must not be seen to have become unconcerned about a section of those they govern. We appeal to the government to take the revelations of the retired Navy General seriously and muster the courage to deal with the militias in government whose identities are known before we end up like Afghanistan.”
“Now the war has been taken to Nigeria’s prime military institution, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to instil fear in the hearts of the young officer cadets in training and the leaders of Nigeria’s Armed Forces of tomorrow.”
“It will be unfortunate if nothing comes out of the initial outcry and it is allowed to pass like the other incidents before it, while we await the next incident.”
The elders urged the Federal Government to urgently facilitate the modernization of agriculture by encouraging ranching than open grazing, which state governments across the nation on behalf of the people have made pronouncements against.
“The land use act has placed ownership of land in the custody of governors in trust for the people.
“The government should desist from heating up the polity by taking us to the controversy of grazing reserves and cattle routes.
“To superimpose that on the current wave of insecurity being spearheaded by foreign herdsmen would be most insensitive.
“The government cannot act in any way to embolden killer herdsmen, by creating safe havens for them in the name of grazing reserves across the country,” it advised.
The elders said that Nigeria must go the way of ranching where there is ownership and responsibility.
They, however, commiserated with the families of those who lost lives and property in recent wanton destruction and solicit prayers for Nigeria.
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.
