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Consider Elective Position As Privilege To Serve, Woke Tasks LG Bosses
The Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Emeka Woke, has charged council chairmen in the state to consider their position as a privilege from God to render service to their people.
Woke said no elected council chairman in Rivers State has any justification not to deliver the dividends of democracy to his people, because all the councils get their federal allocation in full.
The chief of staff made the assertion in Bonny Island over the weekend, when he commissioned the Abraham Hart Bridge constructed by the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Council, Dame Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox.
Woke, who observed a minute silence in honour of the immediate past council chairman of Bonny, late Hon. David Irimagha, stated that one of the hallmarks of good governance was the ability of government to provide basic infrastructure that improve the living condition of the citizenry.
He urged council chairmen and councillors to bear in mind at all times that their position was a privilege from God to render service to their people.
The chief of staff commended the council chairman for executing projects that directly impact the lives of the people of Bonny.
“The chairman would not have been able to execute all the projects she has executed, if the state government had decided to squeeze the local councils.
“I want to put it on record: since the inception of this administration in 2015 till date, the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has not one day tampered with the funds of local councils.”
Based on this, Woke maintained that no elected council chairman has any excuse not to execute projects that would transform the lives of the people.
Woke noted that Dame Claude-Wilcox’s potentials as a leader may never have been realised, if not for the vision of Wike, that made it mandatory for women to be elected as vice chairmen of all the 23 councils in Rivers State.
“I want to encourage you that you should not rest on your oars. The people didn’t know that you will do well, and that goes to speak volumes of the vision of our leader, Chief Nyesom Wike, who made it mandatory that every local government council should have a woman as vice chairman.
“And I am sure if that mandate was not given, we wouldn’t have been able to identify your potential, nobody would have known that any Bonny woman would have been able to perform in office. We thank God for the wisdom and vision He has given to Governor, Nyesom Wike, and we thank you for not disappointing the PDP. You have done well.”
The chief of staff commended Bonny council councillors, particularly, those that have worked in synergy with the chairman to attract projects to their constituencies.
Woke further stated that the conferment of the “Distinguished Award In Infrastructure Delivery” in public service on Governor Nyesom Wike, by President Muhammadu Buhari, was a proof that the resources of Rivers State were being utilised for the overall benefit of the people.
“Opposition Federal Government has confirmed that the government in Rivers State is doing well, and has used the resources of Rivers State very well. That is why they gave our governor award.”
Earlier, the Bonny Local Government Council Chairman, Dame Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox had said since assumption of office, her administration had considered the many challenges faced by the people of the council, adding that concerted efforts were being made to address them.
Some of the projects commissioned include, the renovated Coal Beach Motor Park and the Upgraded Coal Beach Boat Terminal; a VIP Car Park, a small walk bridge connecting the waiting hall to the long jetty walkway.
Others were, reconstructed and furnished Customary Court; Council Secretariat Store Room, improved and furnished Council Hall, newly constructed Bishop Gabriel Pepple Road and Abraham Hart Bridge.
Dame Claude-Wilcox also commended the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Bonny, Dr. Rodaford LongJohn and members of the 9th Legislative Assembly for their support.
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.
