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Navy reiterates commitment to fight against crude oil theft
The Naval Headquarters Department of Training and Operations, on Saturday reiterated its commitment to the fight against crude oil theft in the country.
The Chief of Training and Operations (Navy), Rear Adm. Olusegun Ferreira, said this at a dinner to honour the past Chief of Training and Operation, Rear Adm. Zakariya Muhammad and other officers, in Abuja.
The Tide source reports that 15 persons, including Rear Admirals, Commodores, Captains and other junior officers were honoured with gifts at the dinner organised by the department.
Ferreira, said the training and operations department had been the hub of the navy in terms of its operations at sea and training of personnel .
Ferreira also said that the senior officers being sent off had put in their best to ensure that the objectives set out for the branch were met.
He added that the branch under his command would continue to build on what the outgone officers had done.
“All of this is in service to our motherland. The training and operations branch is the hub in terms of addressing the challenges of crude oil thefts and of course, by extension the revenue coming into the country.
“So there is a direct connection between what we do in the branch and of course, the economic prosperity of Nigeria.
“We want to assure Nigerians that we will continue to do what we need to do to ensure that this challenge is nipped in the board,” he said.
Ferreira also explained that the event was organised to honor various officers that had served in the branch at one point or the other, and had been appointed out to other duties.
According to him, it is a tradition that when senior officers are appointed out, we find an opportunity to appreciate them for their service and to say thank you for what they have done in the training and operations branch.
“We must recognise their contributions to the branch in maintaining the standard of excellence and of course, what they have done during their time.
“I want to say thank you to all of you for your service in the training and operations branch,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the officers, being sent off, the Commandant, Defence Intelligence College (DIC), Rear Adm. Patrick Effah, said they appreciated the Almighty God for giving them the grace, wisdom and the enablement to serve in the branch.
Effah thanked the Chief of Training and Operations for the honour done them, adding that most of them were not expecting the gathering for them to be remembered.
“So, for the branch to have come up with this, send off for us is quite heartwarming.
“”We want to wish the branch the best. We know that the work is actually so much with so much out cry with respect to crude oil theft, oil bunkering and other maritime crimes.
“The weight of it all these lies on the head of the branch and the staff officers that we are leaving behind’,” he said.
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.
