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CAN Trains 1,200 Election Observers
The Christian Association of Nigeria has concluded training of 1,200 accredited observers at the zonal and state levels for the 2023 general election, its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said yesterday.
Among the 1,200 were 280 trainers of trainers who would cascade the training down to the state and local government levels.
The CAN president stated these in his address delivered during the opening session of the 2023 First Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria which was held at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria Resource Centre, Durumi in Abuja, with the theme, ‘Citizens Participation in Good Governance’.
Okoh said there were also some international observers from All African Conference of Churches that would join CAN local observers team as part of its modest contribution in ensuring a free, fair and credible election in Nigeria.
He said, “As part of our preparedness to participate actively in the forthcoming general election of 2023, CAN had registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission to observe the 2023 general election. At the moment, we have concluded training of 1,200 accredited observers at the zonal and state levels.
“Among the 1,200 are 280 trainers of trainers who will cascade the training down to the States and Local Government levels. There are also some International observers from All African Conference of Churches that would join our local observers team. This will be our modest contribution in ensuring a free, fair and credible election in Nigeria this year.
“Nigeria, though not known for any natural disaster, its man-made disaster has become more numerous and devastating. The combined evil of insecurity, banditry, ritual and politically- motivated killings have assumed a frightening and dangerous dimension to the extent that there are no longer safe corridors.
“I wish to inform you all that the Christian Association of Nigeria maintains an unflinching opinion that Christians should play active role in partisan politics. That way, they will carry righteousness into governance.
“CAN at all levels has continued to encourage her members particularly those that are called into political leadership to, as a matter of necessity, join political parties of their choice and ensure that the suffering of the masses occasioned by mis-governance due to incompetence, selfishness and wickedness are reversed when they are given any opportunity to serve.
“However, such opportunities will come if the government of the day opens the space and gives appointment by considering our diversities as a nation. Appointment and employment must not be lopsided; and sensitive positions must be evenly and equitably shared in order to build confidence among the various ethno-religious groups in Nigeria. Exclusion from sensitive appointments breeds anger and detachment from participation in governance.”
During the event, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, who delivered the homily, maintained that the Bishops would remain unambiguous in condemning the abuse of power and plundering of the country’s rich human and natural resources.
“While the Church remains non-partisan, she cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice. With our votes in the coming weeks, we can either choose a reasonable and productive use of power towards unity, security, a good economy or just abandon our fate in the hands of people who have neither capacity nor conscience. We, Bishops, have been unambiguous in condemning the abuse of power and plundering of our rich human and natural resources.
“Our nation prides its motto as ‘unity and faith, peace and progress’, but we are so divided by selfish religious and ethnic interests that gravely undermine our unity”, Kaigama said.
Kaigama added that the theme of the plenary reflected the Bishops’ sensitivities to the great desire of the majority out there to shape the political future of Nigeria.
He said, “Corruption rears its head even in the most unlikely quarters. I recently asked a young man of his age which may affect his chances in a recruitment exercise which demands that he should be under thirty years, and he simply laughed and said casually, ‘one can reduce his age nowadays’.
“It is very sad that people are forced to bribe in almost everything, such as to win a contract, to get justice, to get budgets approved. In a country where the youth, the hope of our nation are left unemployed, and where according to Oxfam, three persons in Nigeria have wealth more than 83 million other Nigerians’ resources put together, are we surprised that youths jet out (Japa) to foreign countries from their motherland where the cost of governance is so high and corruption so pervasive that a huge chunk of what is due to them is swallowed up?”
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.
