News
Unity Road’s Completion, Priority Of Wike’s Govt -Akawor
Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Rivers State chapter, Amb Desmond Akawor, has assured the people of Andoni Local Government Area that the Ogoni-AndoniUnity Road project remained a top priority project of the Governor NyesomWike-led administration.
Akawor, who is also the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated this while addressing the people of Andoni during the Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) collection sensitisation programmeorganised by the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) at State School, Asarama, in Andoni Local Government Area, last Monday.
He said though the road was one of the most expensive projects, the present administration was determined to complete it before handing over in 2023.
While announcing that the contractor would soon move to site, IPAC chairman appealed for the cooperation of the people of the area so that the project can be completed as planned.
“The Ogoni-Andoni Unity Road is one of the most expensive projects in Rivers State. The governor has made commitment that the road must be completed. This is the desire of the governor of Rivers State. After the construction Andoni will no longer be a riverine community, Andoni will become upland”.
Addressing the people, Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, said he was happy to be in Andoni, and to be received by such a large crowd even when he was told that GDI does not exist in the area.
The PDP standard bearer said the enthusiasm shown by Andoni people has made the job of educating them on PVC collection very easy.
He advised the people to ensure they collect their PVCs, and also safeguard same.
Fubara, who said he was an indigene of Andoni, urged them to continue to work together to achieve a stronger GDI.
“I am happy with the level of awareness in our local government area. Iam overwhelmed by what I am seeing because it has made my job easier. We are done with registration, what is on now is collection of PVCs. Keep these PVCs safe. Ignore any text message that asks you to come with your PVC for empowerment”, he advised the people.
Fubara has charged the electorate in Andoni to close ranks so as to build a stronger GDI in the LGA.
The standard bearer maintained that though GDI was fully on ground in the LGA, they, as the electorate, can be stronger if they remain united.
Fubara also forewarned the people to stand strong even in the face of storms that may come with the electoral season, as the battles ahead have already been won.
He advised eligible electorate to ensure that they use their PVCs wisely during the forthcoming elections in 2023, assuring that their votes would count this time around.
He commended the leaders of the area, women and youths and the GDI supporters for coming out enmasse for the programme.
In his remarks, the President-General of GDI, Hon Bright Amaewhule, said that the large crowd that turned out to grace the rally had justified his earlier assertion that the group was fully on ground in Andoni.
He encouraged those who were yet to collect their PVCs to do so as soon as possible, now that the window is still open.
He added that with the level of awareness among the people, electioneering campaign messages by candidates of the PDP would be easy to drive home to eligible voters in the area, particularly because of the giant strides the state government had made in delivering solid dividends of democracy to the people.
Amaewhule charge the people to protect their PVCs, and ensure that they use same wisely to elect the right candidates into various offices during the 2023 elections.
Also speaking, the member representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, HonAbiante Awaji-Inombek, stated that 2023 elections shall be a referendum on moving Nigeria forward towards progress, unity, development and peace.
He emphasised that the era of ‘top-to-bottom’ policy is over, and that it has become imperative to use the PVCs to secure the lives of citizens and posterity as well as to SIMplify tomorrow.
Earlier, the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Barrister Erastus Awortu, declared that staff of Independent National Electoral Commission in Andoniwere not resting because on a daily basis, the people were busy collecting their PVCs from the electoral umpire.
He also stated that in time past,Andoni was enslaved by the forces of darkness and underdevelopment, but now has been liberated by the Rivers StateGovernor, Chief NyesomWike.
The chairman maintained that with the PVCs collected, they shall execute punishment on those who short-changed Andoni in contracts, scholarships and other basic necessities.
The Andoni rally featured dance gyration by the 11 wards in the area, and solidarity speeches from stakeholders.
Among the stakeholders, who spoke at the event are a former chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) and current stalwart of the PDP, Chief Davies IbiamuIkanya;member representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Abiante Awaji-Inombek;Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Ikuinyi-OwayiIbani; and the LGA Chairman, BarristerErastus Awortu.
Others include the Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Edison Ehie; the Majority Leader of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule; former Commissioner, Civil Service Commission, Mrs Sotonye Toby Fulton, chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Engr. Samuel Nwanosike; Mayor of Port Harcourt, Hon AlwellIhunda; and other council chairmen, prominent government officials and chieftains of the party.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
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.
