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Army Chief Lauds S’East Govs’ Support In Fighting Insecurity
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-. Gen., Taoreed Lagbaja, has lauded the South East Governors for their continuous support to its officers in the fight against insecurity in the region.
Lagbaja gave the commendation when he and his men paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State at the Government House, Enugu yesterday.
He said that the support to the security agencies had contributed to the peace in the zone.
The army chief said, “I am reassured that the support of the governor of Enugu State as well as other governors in the southeast through the efforts of our troops has created a stable, peaceful and enabling environment to the economy of the southeast”.
He said that following his assumption of office as Chief of Army Staff on June 23, 2023, he had taken out time to visit formations and units of Nigeria Army to access the deployment of troops across the country.
This, he said, was in a bid to address some challenges confronting the troops to improve their operational effectiveness.
“I want to start by apologising that I am just coming to Enugu six months after assumption of office Owing to the fact I am still there since the knowledge of the troops deployment to the security challenges in southeast zone.
“I arrived Enugu State this morning for operational visit to 82 Division, and the General Commanding Officer (GOC), Maj-Gen., Hassan Dada, had taken time to brief me on the operational situation and effort of the division to combat the threats.
“I want to appreciate his Excellency and the good people of Enugu State for the support you have provided to 82 Division, 103 battalion and other deployment we have across state,” he said.
According to him, through Mbah’s support, the troops were able to show presence in operation centres, conduct patrol and other operations to create stability and peaceful environment.
He promised that the headquarter would take steps to address and look into the areas the governor pointed out in a bid to expand the frontier of peace and stability in the State.
“I want also to pledge continued support of the formation and units of Nigeria Army through the effort of the Enugu State Government to ensure that peace reign in this state as well as thank his excellency and good people of the state for being host to our troops and their families.
“We will continue to remain loyal and worthy partners to you towards realising your wonderful plan for the people of the state by having our men on ground at Isi-Uzo Council Area as it is our desire to rid the area of criminal elements.
Responding, Mbah commended Lagabaja for the visit which he described as homecoming for him having served as GOC of 82 Division, Enugu.
The governor said when he assumed office on May 29, 2023, he executed a social pact by signing a social contract with the people of the state.
According to him, I promised them that Enugu will be one of the top three states in the country in terms of their GDP and that they are going to grow their economy from the current level of $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
“We also said to them that our mission is to make the state the premier destination for investment, living, tourism and business, adding that all these will not be achieved where there is insecurity.
“Private sector investment does not agree with insecurity. So, we immediately recognised that if we must keep to our pact of this bargain with Enugu people, we must address the challenges of insecurity frontally,” he said.
While acknowledging the tireless efforts, support and commitment of the army chief and his men in securing the state, the governor said, “Today we can proudly say that we are on the part of fulfilling those promises we made to our people.
”We can now boldly say that the so-called Monday’s sit-at-home have been bid goodbye in Enugu and we are going to continue to provide necessary support to sustain and improve on the state of security.
He, however, requested the chief of army staff to approve the setting up of an army barracks in Isi-Uzo Council Area of the state to help fight insecurity in the area.
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.
