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64th Independence: Do more to address hardship, youth leaders urge Tinubu
National youth leaders, under the Forum of National Youth Leaders of all Political Parties in Nigeria( FNYLPPN), has called on President Bola Tinubu to do more in addressing the nation’s economic challenges.
Onyebuchi Chukwu, Chairman, FNYLPP, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, congratulated Nigeria on its 64th Independence Anniversary.
He said that the country had been through war and many other crises yet survived and would continue to thrive in unity.
Chukwu congratulated the nation’s heroes past, present heroes and future heroes.
He expressed confidence that the youths of Nigeria would do better than their predecessors.
“We appreciate our forerunners who fought for and achieved independence for us and the subsequent leaders who made sure that we remained independent and self-led.
“We are not where we want to be as a country but we are definitely not where we use to be and we are very confident that a better Nigeria is possible.
“However, we are aware of the crisis in the country and we are here to call on the president to do more.
“Dear President, we recognise and appreciate your efforts so far to help the country out of hardship especially among the young people; we are aware of all the programmes that you have put up to help the youths.
“We are also aware of the minimum wage increment; we appreciate the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses you introduced and the CNG-powered tricycles for the youths.
“All these and more are geared towards alleviating the hardship in the country especially among the youths; we thank you in all of them.’’
Chukwu said that FNYLPPN was worried that if much was not done and in time, the hardship could worsen the insecurity in the country.
He commended Nigeria youths for their patience with the government.
“We are also calling on the youths to continue in their calmness: we beg that you give the president more time hoping that he will do the needful in a no distant time.
“We are also aware of all the efforts of the youths of Nigeria to see that the country works including putting their lives in line to protest and draw the attention of government.
“We are not insensitive to the plight of the youths in this country but for the sake of Nigeria; we are begging our youths again to eschew protests especially now that there is too much anger in town knowing that violence is inevitable.’’
Chukwu said the group was aware of the call for protests on Oct. 1 and urged the youths to be cautious so as not to worsen the problems they were trying to solve.
He said if protest must be held, it had to be peaceful and reasonable as there was need to give the government more time and support to address the issues.
“We, therefore, call on governments in all levels from councillorship to the presidency to invest in the programmes that will help, empower and equip the youths.
“This is because we shall be shifting our attention to other tiers of government beyond the president; we are also calling on the youths to consider political offices while we call on our leaders to give Nigerian youths the chance to lead for a better Nigeria.
“As a forum, we are assuring any youth of this country who will be courageous enough to vie for any political office of our total support,’’ 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.
