News
Court Hears Suit On PDP Presidential Primary, May 10
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has again fixed May 10 to hear applications in favour and against the party’s forthcoming presidential primaries holding on May 28.
One of the Presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ndukwe Cosmas Chukwudi, had on April 28, urged the Justice Donatus Okorowo to stop the presidential primaries for contravening its zoning agreement and for not agreeing to give the ticket to a candidate from the South-East.
The ex-parte motion was filed by his counsel, Paul Erokoro, but the judge rather fixed May 5 for parties to show cause why the motion should or should not be granted.
At the resumed court hearing, yesterday, Erokoro told the judge that the PDP served him with its affidavit to show cause, last Wednesday, along with the preliminary objection.
He pleaded with the Judge to give him time by way of adjournment to enable him put his house in order.
“My Lord, most of the issues raised in the affidavit has been replicated in the preliminary objection and we will look at it if we are given more time.
“But for now my lord, we wish to respond to the affidavit to show cause; we can do so within 48 hours,” he said.
Counsel to the PDP, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), did not object to the request for adjournment.
Justice Okorowo subsequently shifted hearing till May 10 and ordered parties to file and exchange their processes ahead of the day.
Counsel for third defendant (Senator Anyanwu), Kalu Kalu Agu, told the judge that he has already filed an appeal at the appellate court.
“On our part, we are not also opposed to the application for adjournment. None of the processes has been served on the third defendant, including the order to show cause but in response we filed our memorandum of conditional appearance dated April 29, and also a notice of preliminary objection.
“My Lord, we also filed a notice of appeal in this matter dated on April 22 and filed same day,” he said.
“Come back on the 10th of May by 12 noon,” the judge ruled.
The PDP, its National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were listed 1st to 4th defendants, respectively, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/508/2022.
However, rather than granting the request of Ndukwe, the Judge ordered that the PDP should appear before it on May 5 and show cause why the court should not accede to the plaintiff’s demand.
During, yesterday’s proceedings, Erokoro stood for Ndukwe, Mahmud Magaji (SAN) for the PDP, Kalu Agu for Anyanwu and Abdulahi Badmos for INEC.
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.
