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N’Delta Youths Remove President Over Alleged Abuse Of Office
The Niger Delta Youth Movement has announced the removal of its National President, Comrade Joe Jackson from office, over alleged abuse of power.
In a statement tagged, “Notice of removal from office as the national president”, yesterday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital by the National Public Relations Officer of the movement, Comrade Boboye Peretu, the movement nominated the Deputy National President, Amutadi Uba Tega, to take over the position in acting capacity in accordance with Section 14 Sub 2 (a) of the Constitution of the body.
Jackson was removed by the National Executive Council meeting after invoking Section 11(a) of the Constitution during a meeting which held in Owerri, the Imo State on March 13, 2022.
The statement reads in part, “Whereas Comrade Joe Jackson, National President of Niger Delta Youth Movement has consistently abused the Constitution, and desecrated the high office of the President.
“Whereas Comrade Joe Jackson has been mildly reprimanded and warned on several occasions. Whereas Comrade Joe Jackson is bent on observing the Constitution in the breach.
“Concerned members of the National Executive Council had no alternative than to invoke Section 11 (a) of the Movement’s Constitution at Owerri, the Imo State capital, and subsequently removed him from office as the national president of the Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM).”
Some of his many sins include his alleged refusal to call for a NEC meeting for more than one year in spite of appeals from national officers to do so, and his refusal to hand over the official vehicle for more than two years.
He was also alleged to have forged and authored a letter to Total E & P Nigeria Limited, Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, purporting that it was the NEC that approved of the composition of Egi Ward/Clan Executive when he knew that it was/is the duty of the State and Local Government Executive to oversee the activities of a Ward/Clan and others.”
Reacting, Comrade Joe Jackson described the NEC meeting as illegal, adding that they cannot substantiate the allegations levelled against him.
He said, “I am just hearing that some people went and had an illegal meeting. The Constitution provides that I am supposed to call for the meeting. They went and held a meeting and came out with allegations. They cannot substantiate the allegations that I confiscated the official bus.
“I had told them many times that we had a meeting that the association bus is accidented, and it is at the mechanic. But none of them has ever said come and show us since you said the bus had an accident. It is still at the mechanic at Deeper Life Road, off Idoro Road, Uyo. I can even send the picture of the vehicle to you.
“Then, they said I wrote a letter to the NDDC. I have demanded proof, but I have not seen that done. They said I have not been calling for meetings, I have called for meetings several times, and they refused to attend.
“They should have attached the proof of their allegations; I have not seen any. So, it is an illegal arrangement, and I am still the national president of the organisation, until when all these allegations are proven.
“Of course, the Constitution says once there is allegation, a committee must be set up to investigate it, and if it is proven, two-thirds of the members must have to sit and pass my removal, they didn’t do that, I learnt they met in Owerri on Sunday, and decided to come up with those allegations without attaching any proof. So, I am still the national president.”
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.
