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Don’t Allow Yourselves To Be Used By Politicians, NDDC Boss Tells NAWOJ
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has called on women journalists in the region to reawaken the consciousness of the society and uphold the ethics of the profession.
The new Chairperson of NDDC Board, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, made the call when members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Rivers State paid a courtesy call on the commission at the Eastern Bypass head office in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Onochie, who was the immediate past Senior Special Assistant on New Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, expressed joy in hosting the female journalists, having been a member of the association in the past.
The NDDC boss said this in response to the request by the Chairperson of the Rivers State chapter of NAWOJ, Mrs. Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, on the need for NDDC to partner with women to promote the development of the region while highlighting the challenges of women in the region.
Onochie said the board has set up a committee to look into the Private Partnership (PP) framework in developing the region.
“The report of the committee on PP has not been submitted to the board, so, once we get the report, we would respond to your request, and know how far we can collaborate with you,” she assured.
The NDDC chairperson said, “But as women and women journalists, your primary duty is still the conscience of our region. You must learn to report issues exactly as it has happened, irrespective of whose ox is gored.
“You must look at things dispassionately, it doesn’t matter if you are sympathetic to APC or PDP. Everything is not about politics but sad enough, I have come to see that Journalism in Nigeria has become a thing of interest rather than being the conscience and soul of the nation.
“You are the Fourth Estate of the Realm. Where the Executive of the Federal Government does wrong, where the National Assembly fails, you correct them to make the relevant laws. Where the Judiciary fails to uphold our laws, it is the Fourth Estate of the Realm, the Journalists, that will stand for the people and stand dispassionately for the people of Nigeria, irrespective of your political leanings.
“Politics should not come into Journalism. You should be free, you should report freely, fairly and you should report Justice.
“That is how our leaders will know the truth, and as the holy book says, you know the truth and the truth shall set you free. If we continue making everything based on our leader is APC or PDP, that is where it becomes huge problem for our nation.
“You have to remember that there are more people in Nigeria who do not belong to a political party than those who belong to a political party.
“So, your reportage should be for the welfare, wellbeing and justice in the nation as the Fourth Estate of the Realm. That is your principal role, and I would like to seek your support in that regard.
“Support us to showcase what we do here to the world, irrespective of how ever you look at us. We are not asking for any special favours. We are just asking that you report correctly, because that has become the bane of our society.
“Journalists are not reporting the correct things, just report what happened, no embellishing because if in the end, you report unjustly and it leads to chaos, it leads to wars, its our women and children that will suffer more.
“So, I want to thank you for coming here to offer your hand of friendship to the commission. We accept your hands of friendship. I say we will collaborate with you, and we will work together for betterment of Niger Delta. Thank you and God bless you.”
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.
