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Ogoloma Monarch Endorses Peterside For Rivers Gov
The Amanyanabo of Ogoloma Kingdom in Okrika Local Government Area, King G.T.I. Obudibo, Ikwo V, has described the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, as a candidate in whom Rivers people are well pleased.
The monarch told Peterside during a courtesy call on the traditional chiefs of his kingdom,”They call you governor-in-waiting but I know you are already a governor”.
The APC governorship candidate was at the palace to seek the King’s blessing and to inform the royal father of the flag-off of his campaign in Okrika Local Government Area.
The monarch also used the opportunity of the visit to draw Peterside’s attention to the kingdom’s burning need for peace and progress.
Obudibo, for the most part, challenged Peterside to re-enact as governor, the peace and prosperity that reigned in Okrika during his school days as a young boy at Okrika Grammar School.
The monarch also charged him to ensure that his Road Map to Posterity is implemented to the latter, especially as regards employment opportunities because so many young men and women in his kingdom need employment.
He expressed confidence in Peterside’s ability to lead the people of Rivers State but reminded him of the need to run an inclusive government that will unite the people of the state irrespective of party affiliations.
The royal father praised Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for being a model governor who will be remembered for building world-class infrastructure and for investing in human capital development.
Responding, Peterside promised to run an open and transparent government.
He told the monarch that he is driven by service, adding that the interest of Rivers people will be uppermost on the mind of his administration.
“I fully appreciate the needs of our people and as governor; I will face the challenges squarely. For five years, I was at Okrika Grammar School. I can say that Okrika people are good and peace loving. As a people, we have lived together for centuries.
“The ethnic nationalities also have understanding and respect for one another. Even our founding fathers knew that equity is good. We cannot afford to institutionalise slavery. It is unacceptable therefore for one ethnic group to think that it will rule the entire Rivers State forever. Your majesty, please reflect on this fact as we leave.
“It is important to state here also that our brothers and sisters in Ikwerreland object to this modern day slavery. You are aware that the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers came together and endorsed me because they equally reject this domination. We must therefore speak for justice and good neighbourliness.
“Our government will encourage peace and progress in Okrika. When we had opportunity to serve, we did our best to improve the network of roads in Okrika. If we are given another chance, we will do more. We recognise the role of traditional institution, so, we will partner with you to address unemployment, security, infrastructure, human capital development and other areas of need.
“I know people will come here to campaign but please ask them to show you what they have done for the people of Okrika. We can point to what we have done because we are stakeholders here”, Peterside added.
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.
