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Nemieboka Recommits To Change Negative Narrative In Ogu …Flags Off Skills Acquisition Scheme
The Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Council, Barrister Vincent Nemieboka, has restated his commitment to change the negative narrative about Ogu/Bolo in the affairs of Rivers State, and the entire country.
Nemieboka gave the assurance while flagging off the local government’s special skills acquisition programme for 283 youths in various vocations at the Ogu/Bolo Council Secretariat, Ogu.
The scheme is an initiative of the Nemieboka-led Ogu/Bolo Local Government Council as part of his promise to empower the people during his electioneering campaigns in 2021.
The first batch of beneficiaries consisting of 22 persons as scaffold trainees; 58 as heavy duty; 58 forklift trainees; nine driving trainees; 70 make-up artists; and 66 photography/videography trainees.
Speaking during the programme, Nemieboka said he had made a promise to embark on massive human capital development after achieving successful infrastructure development in his first year in office.
He said before he became chairman of the council, he had made promise that after his tenure, that negative narrative of saying Ogu/Bolo has no money and no meaningful projects can be done with the allocations would be changed, and successive chairmen would be made to give account of what they have done.
Nemieboka said the programme was redefined from what the people were familiar with, where trainees were only interested in the starter packs given to them and not the knowledge they acquired from the training.
To concentrate and perform optimally, Nemieboka said he has provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as well as accommodation, feeding and transportation for the trainees.
He said the training would be in three batches and would last for seven months, adding that those with genuine passion would be assisted to set up their businesses.
For the other skills, with the state-of-art equipment in Government Technical College (GTC), Ogu-Ele, Nemieboka said the council would partner the school in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Education to give a six-month intensive training equivalent to the post-primary education.
Nemieboka assured the trainees that they would go through the training uninterrupted, and urged the trainees to make good use the skills they would acquire to help themselves and better the society.
He said that those participating in the empowerment programme would be paid monthly stipends aimed at supporting the people.
He also said that some chiefs and women doing business in the area have included in the programme, and would receive loans to boost their incomes.
The guest speaker of the occasion, Barrister Bright Otobo, admonished participants to take whatever skills they have learnt seriously, giving illustrations of graduates from the university that were making names in business just from the skills they learnt with the likes of Dr Wilson Orunaboka, a renowned baker who owns Wilson Bakery.
He said the acquisition of skills was what the society needs today, and praised Nemieboka for embarking on the largest human capital development project in the area.
In his remarks, the Amayanabo of Bolo, King Acheseinimie Micha Frank, said he was happy with what he had seen, and admonished the trainees to appreciate what they have so that people would value them.
He commended Nemieboka for understanding the plight of the people and making Ogu/Bolo stand out, and prayed that God would strengthen him and give him the wisdom and resources to complete the good work.
Also speaking, Barrister Mela Oforibika, said human capital development was what drives an economy, admonishing the trainees to be good ambassadors of the area after they have completed their training.
Some of the trainees who spoke to newsmen said they were grateful to be part of the programme, and would concentrate on what they were studying so they can make their family and the area proud.
They thanked Nemieboka for coming up with such initiative, and prayed for more resources to complete the programme.
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.
