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Fubara’s Govt Is For Civil Servants -NCSU
The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU), Rivers State Council, says civil servants in the State belong to the political family of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Simplified Movement, saying, the government of the State is a government for the workers.
The Chairman of the union, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication during the inauguration of newly elected unit officers of the union in Port Harcourt , said Governor Fubara was the first Governor in the country to pay N100, 000 Christmas bonus to workers because, according to him, he was himself a civil servant before becoming Governor of the State.
According to him, Governor Fubara has the interest of civil servants at heart, as his government is a government for the workers.
He equally expressed delight that the Governor had promoted civil servants after several years of being stagnated and appointed several civil servants Permanent Secretaries, an incentive several of their colleagues during the past administration did not enjoy before retiring, insisting that these are gestures the workers ought to be appreciative of always.
Osumah also applauded the State Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke for transforming the Civil Service, describing him as a good man who also has the interest and wellbeing of civil servants at heart.
The union chairman charged the newly elected officers of the union to see their election as a call for service, and stressed the need for them to discharge their duties with a sense of responsibility and commitment, and to serve without blemish.
He particularly urged them to be committed and always fight for the common interest of workers and to readily allow the spirit of labour to overwhelm and take hold of them.
Also speaking, the National President of NCSU, Comrade Sunday Oluwale thanked members of the union for their commitment to the struggle, stressing that the national secretariat is quite conversant with their predicaments as it relates to the implementation of the new minimum wage and the high cost of petroleum products, assuring them that everything would be under control at the end of the day.
While urging the newly elected officers to always make personal sacrifices and fight for the workers, the labour leader said it is their responsibility to carry their members along and take care of the less privileged in the society.
Comrade Oluwale, who was represented at the event by the National Auditor of the union, Comrade Peaceman Horsfall applauded the good works of the state council, exemplified by the facelift being given to the union secretariat in Port Harcourt, and advised the new executives to always follow the footsteps of Comrade Osumah, saying, the state chairman would never betray them.
Comrade Horsfall disclosed that both the National President of the union and the General Secretary would storm Rivers State for the state delegates conference scheduled for October 22, 2024.
The newly elected officers were inaugurated by the state chairman of the union, who also inaugurated the new executive of the women committee and members of the screening committee for the forthcoming delegates conference.
Executive members of the women committee inaugurated are Comrade Joy Ogbuigba, chairman; Comrade Christiana Peter Obomanu, vice chairman; and Comrade Evelyn Owante, secretary.
Others include Comrade Benedicta Dibia, ex-officio; Comrade Boma Braide, ex-officio; and Comrade Linda Bobmanuel, ex-officio.
Members of the screening committee are Comrade Ogedi Worder, chairman; Comrade Evelyn Owante, secretary; Comrade Christiana Peter Obomanu; Comrade Boma Braide; and Comrade Ezekiel Sordum Baekee.
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.
