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Strive For Better Nigeria, Cleric Tasks Politicians
The Senior Pastor, Summit Bible Church Abuja, Andy Osakwe, has tasked politicians in the country to aspire to build a better nation rather than pursuing their parochial interests.
Osakwe said in an interview with newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja, that political leaders must act responsibility and work for the future of the country.
The cleric, who spoke after the opening of the church’s 2022 conference, said efforts must be geared towards providing better directions to the next generation of Nigerians.
“I will advise Nigerian politicians to take responsibility for the future of the nation and move into leadership which has concern for the next generation,” he added.
Osakwe also cautioned against religious and ethnic profiling of Nigerians, adding that there should be freedom of worship and association.
“There should be no profiling based on religion, Nigeria is a free state where there is freedom of worship with no interference or intimidation,” he added.
The pastor also advised Nigerians to shun violence and work towards building a prosperous nation.
He said the 2022 conference of the church was toenable people to advance into the place of fullness in their lives.
“When Christians are in their fullness, it will be beneficial to the country as a whole.
“We believe it’s time for Christians and Nigerians to rise up and take responsibility and that is why we are emphasising fullness because it speaks about our potentials too.”
He further said that the conference would encourage all Nigerians to step up their full potentials, take full responsibility and do something positive for the country.
“It is time for a new Nigeria and we are the ones God is counting on for this new Nigeria”, he added.
Osakwe, therefore, enjoined Nigerians to remain steadfast as God would do great things for the nation.
“I encourage Nigerians not to give up, but hope for the best.
“We have been praying and God will answer us and I believe God has answered, with time we will see the manifestations.
“This is not the time to quit or give up but intensify prayers for a new Nigeria as it will come to pass,” he said.
Earlier, member of the Conference Publicity Committee,Pastor Kingsley Bangwell, said the event was meant to “challenge us as a people and body of Christ to contribute to the building of the new nation of our dream.
“The conference aims to challenge, empower and influence people to go beyond the church walls to achieve notable and striking feats for God’s kingdom.
“The attendees will be fed with truths that will cause them to experience significant advancements in every area of their lives, which is crucial in building our great nation, Nigeria.
“When minds are transformed, people are transformed and, thus, the nation is reformed.
“Fervent prayers will also be offered for Nigeria to achieve fullness of peace and enter her destiny as one of the leading nations of the world.”
Also, Apostle Michael Orokpo, who ministered on the conference’s theme, “FULLNESS”, urged all believers to allow God take predominance in their affairs to ensure all-round blessings and achievements in life.
According to him fullness means acknowledging and surrendering all to God.
“When you allow God dominate you, you attain greatness,” Orokpo said.
According to him, life, light and one’s constant presence before God are the three dominant things that ensure a man walks and works in the fullness of God.
The eight-day conference would run from October 30 to November 6, 2022.
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.
