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Omehia Advocates RSG, NIESV Synergy To Dev State
Former Governor of Rivers State, Sir Celestine Omehia, has restated the willingness of the state government under the leadership of Chief Nyesom Wike to partner stakeholders in the development of the state.
Omehia made this known at the formal opening ceremony of the 52nd Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
In his speech, the former governor said that the state was open to ideas and contributions by individuals and groups towards the improvement of Rivers State and its cities.
According to him, “The government of Rivers State is ready and willing to join hands with any institution, anybody in the development of the state”.
He went on to say that the development of the state and city is not in the hands of one person and that the outcome of the conference would be historical.
“It will go down in history that decisions, plans, ideas and efforts to elevate Nigerian cities to a higher level of cities like New York and other cities of the world are taken here in Rivers State by NIESV under the presidency of Emmanuel Wike”, he said.
He further challenged the institution to play active role in the development of the state.
“Your role is enormous and it is needed in the development of the state. As a body, you can go beyond the task given to individual members to correct the ills in the development efforts in the state. The body has the right to either advise government or take legal action against persons defacing the city or building on waterways”.
Also speaking earlier, the outgoing president of the body, Emmanuel Wike, expressed delight over the fact that the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in about 53 years of its existence has promoted the general interests of the profession, while maintaining and extending its usefulness for the public good by advising members of the public, government departments, statutory bodies, local governments, associations, institutions and such like bodies on all matters coming within the scope of the profession, whilst also initiating and supporting any legislation relevant to the objects of the institution.
He added, “We have also made valuable contributions to the development of the nation in the areas of Policy Formulation, Land Administration, Asset Management and Administration, Housing and Project Development. We have positively impacted the Nigerian landscape with several achievements and contributions, so numerous to mention here.
“We are gathered here for the very important purposes of promotion and sharing of knowledge, acquisition of competencies, expansion and deepening of professional development. Conferences provide opportunities for these. Let us, therefore, make a good use of this great opportunity to learn, acquire and share with one another new ideas and new techniques of practice, especially in this fast changing world”, he told members.
“The depth of knowledge, competencies and exposure of the resource persons who have been invited to share ideas with us in this epoch gathering tells me loud and clear that we are in for exciting moments. I sincerely appreciate your presence here. I enjoin my noble colleagues who registered for the conference to attend the plenary and all the other sessions, physically or virtually as the case may be. It’s going to be highly impacting and enriching. Ensure that you learn, unlearn and relearn many things at this conference”, he added.
The conference, with the theme, “Cities of the Future: Development, Infrastructure and Sustainability”, which began last Monday, ended on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the newly elected president of the institution (NIESV), Johnbull Amayaevbo, said that his tenure would be predicated on four-point agenda of rebranding, research and development, capacity building and welfare of members.
He stated this Port Harcourt shortly after being inaugurated as the 25th president of the NIESV alongside other executive committee members.
Amayaevbo promised to take the Institution to a different level, anchored on the rule of law and order, while insisting that discipline would be the watchword.
According to him, “We will run our tenure based on law and order, with strict compliance to discipline. If you cannot substantiate any fact, there will be consequences for it.”
He revealed plans to roll out programmes and policies that would advance the cause of the institution in diverse ways, whilst soliciting the support of all to succeed.
By: Gabriel Nwanetanya
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.
