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Enugu Declares Open 2022 JTN’s Essay Competition On Tourism For Youths
Enugu State Government yesterday declared open the 2022 Edition of the Jands Travel Network’s (JTN) Essay Competition on Tourism for youths in the state.
The state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Ugonna Ibeh, said in Enugu that the annual competition was for youths between 10 and 17 years.
Our correspondent reports that the competition tagged: Flowing Feathers Tourism Writing Competition is being organised by an NGO – Jands Travel Network (JTN).
Ibeh said that the competition was apt as it would expose the youths to the rich tourism potential of the state and the country.
The commissioner said the competition was coming at a time when the government was diversifying its economy from crude oil.
Besides, he said tourism could earn the nation more revenue, if well harnessed.
He commended JTN for the competition because it would shift the attention of youths, who would participate in the exercise to the potential in tourism.
Ibeh pledged that the state government would ensure the competition was successful.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of JTN, Mrs Chioma Obi, said that tourism was one of the fastest growing industries in the world with a GDP of over 8 per cent in 2009 and an annual growth of 4.4 per cent to the global economy.
Obi reiterated that Nigeria was a potential tourist paradise which boasts of good tropical weather, variety of wildlife, waterfalls, historical relics, captivating beaches, and hills as well as culturally active citizens.
“The introduction of tourism to schools with the use of different form of education asides the classroom to enlighten pupils on the basics and importance of the sector, was the aim of the competition.
“The competition will help to ensure that the future leaders are aware of the importance of the tourism and make them willing and ready to invest their time, knowledge and skills in correcting the pitfalls that plague the sector.
“It is also reduce the high rate of vices recorded among our children by keeping their minds busy with innovative and creative ideas and activities,”she said.
According to her, there was need to preserve and promote the culture of creative writing, which has produced notable names from our society like Chimamanda Adichie, Wole Soyinka, among others..
Obi urged the intending participants to get their forms through phone numbers, which are available on the organisation’s social media platforms and also on the organisation’s website. www.jtn.com.ng by clicking “ writing competition”.
She stated that the competition comprised of two categories, the junior category for children between 10 and 13 years while the senior category was for youths between 14 – 17 years.
Obi said the first stage of the competition would close on June 30 while the date for defence session for the winners would be announced later.
She said the winners would be given scholarships, laptops and other rewards.
The event was witnessed by many dignitaries, including the Corporate Affairs Manager, (East), Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs Joy Egolum, State Secretary National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Mr Nelson Agu, among others.
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.
