News
APC Chieftains, Supporters Dump Party For PDP In Bayelsa
Former Alternate Director of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Campaign Council in Bayelsa State, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, and a former chairman of the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Council, Dr. Ebikitin Diongoli, have led their numerous supporters back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The APC chieftains were on Monday evening welcomed into the PDP by Governor Douye Diri at the Government House in Yenagoa.
The Bayelsa governor described their return as the right thing to do given their long-standing affiliation with the party before they left.
His Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, in a statement yesterday quoted him as saying that their eventual return and reception by the government and the party was a divine arrangement.
Governor Diri described the returnees as people with immense electoral value and expressed the optimism that they will contribute positively to development of the party and the state.
He noted that the PDP in the state was gradually moving back to the days when a victory in the party’s primary election was as good as victory in the main election and urged party members to remain steadfast.
The state’s helmsman called on those remaining in the opposition to retrace their steps, saying the PDP made virtually all politicians in the state and was still large enough to accommodate those desirous of coming back.
Speaking on the abandoned Sabagreia/Polaku bridge project in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, the governor said contrary to speculations that the government was not interested in its completion, it was actually in talks with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which is the agency handling the project.
He explained that the government was ready to support the completion of the project but can only do so with the consent of the interventionist agency, assuring that a decision will be reached soon and the bridge, which he described as crucial to the Kolokuma/Opokuma people, will see the light of day.
His words: “On behalf of your government and party, I join the Deputy Chairman of our party to welcome you back to where you rightly belong. I thank you for making up your mind. It would have been a mistake if you did not return.
“I have been told about the Sabagreia/Polaku bridge. We have been waiting for the constitution of the board of the NDDC to discuss with and possibly take over the construction of that bridge.
“Given the fact that time is running out, we have spoken with the interim administrator of the NDDC. We cannot just jump in and take over. It has to be with their consent and I can assure you that the process is on.”
Earlier, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe said returning to the PDP was like coming back home and that he felt like a stranger in the APC.
He lauded Governor Diri for his inclusive leadership style, which also puts the interest of the state ahead of any personal or sectional considerations.
Brisibe assured that they were back in the party to contribute to its growth and the development of the state.
Also, Dr. Ebikitin Diongoli said their leaving the PDP was a loan move as in professional football, saying they were back to their original party to give their best to enable it succeed.
In his remarks, the state PDP Deputy Chairman, Mr. Nengi Tubonah, said the PDP was big enough to accommodate everyone, noting that it had made people more than any other party in Nigeria.
He said their return was timely given the fact that they had a governor from the same local government area and who is delivering development to people of the state.
Tubonah assured that they will be absorbed into the party once again.
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.
