The Rivers Equity Group led by a former commissioner in the state executive council, Elder Clapton Ogolo, has intervened to provide free medical outreach to the most vulnerable people in Degema Local Government Area of the state.
The group had stormed Bakana, the headquarters of the local government, where thousands of grassroots people gathered to receive hard-to-get medical attention, including eye checks and treatments.
Leading the people to receive the medical tourists was the Degema Local Government Area Chairman, Hon. Michael John Williams, who was accompanied by the Degema PDP Acting Chairman, Chief Taribo Benson, and other council officials.
Speaking on the essence of the mission, Leader of Rivers Equity Group, Elder Clapton Ogolo, said the group was in the area to reach the unreached and to assist those who do not have the financial muscle and capacity to go to the clinics to examine their eyes.
Ogolo said one of the group’s patrons and major sponsor, the Rivers State PDP gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming governorship election in 2023, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, mandated the group to go to Degema, to deliver the his message of hope, adding that his administration, if elected, has great plans for the people.
He explained that the free medical outreach was the brainchild of Fubara, who has vowed to build a healthy society where even the indigent can access health care without hassles.
Ogolo thanked the Degema Council Chairman, Hon. Michael John Williams, who he said was known to be fully SIMplified, for his support for the medical outreach.
He praised the chairman for making sure that the group held the programme to cater to the healthcare needs of the people of Degema because, according to him, he appreciates that “health is wealth”.
Ogolo noted that “to go to the optician alone would have been very difficult for a lot of you, but thank God that the chairman has supported us to come to you at your doorstep”.
He said the people of Degema needed to have good eyesight in order to vote wisely during the 2023 general election.
Ogolo noted that Degema has had an affinity with the PDP in Rivers State from the formative stages, and has remained a stronghold of the party since 1999.
On behalf of the group, Ogolo, conferred on the Degema LGA Chairman, Hon. Michael John Williams, an award as Life Patron, noting that the conferment was based on his support to the group, as well as the enormous investment in the health sector.
Responding, the Degema Council Chairman, Hon. Michael John Williams, thanked the Rivers Equity Group for the honour, just as he commended Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for having the people of Degema at heart, declaring that the people of Degema were solidly behind him.
Williams said he was convinced the Rivers PDP governorship candidate was coming on board to consolidate on the outstanding legacies of Governor Nyesom Wike, noting that the people of Degema had resolved to give Fubara 100percent support to actualise his gubernatorial ambition.
According to him, “I will back Sim to the logical conclusion. Degema is 100% with Sim, and the Rivers PDP. Sim is helping his people. He is coming to expand what the incumbent governor is already doing. It is only the PDP that can do that”.
He then enjoined beneficiaries of the free medical outreach to make good use of the opportunity by being orderly, and pay keen attention to prescriptions and instructions from the medical team.
On her part, the CEO of Linsolar Eye Clinic, Dr. Adeline Aluge, explained what the processes entail, and how they would be attended to.
She also counselled them on how to maintain good eye care and the habits to avoid, and admonished them to stick to prescriptions.
Aluge explained the importance of the eyes and why it was necessary for them to get their eyes adequately tested and treated, especially as they plan to vote next year so they don’t waste their votes.
She said, “Without good eyesight, a voter may end up either voting wrongly or voiding one’s vote”.
She, therefore, pleaded with the LG chairman to consider footing the bills for his people that would be referred for further check up and treatment.
Earlier, another member of the group, Sir John Nalley, had introduced the team to the people at Bakana town hall.
He explained why the group set to specifically enlighten the people on the Electoral Act and the need for non-violent election, but had to add the medical outreach to the programme through the divine mandate of Fubara to help the poor in the society.
The REG drama unit entertained the audience with a #SIMple drama educating them on the need to vote wisely and to vote for Sir Siminialayi Fubara and Prof. Ngozi Ordu.
Thereafter, the chairman was led by the leadership of the Rivers Equity Group in conjunction with the CEO of Linsolar Eye Clinic to inspect the medical facilities and items and to formally declare the free medical programme open.
The chairman also took time to personally hand over about 20 free eyeglasses to some already screened participants to mark the official commencement of issuing of free eyeglasses and drugs to the people.

By: Nelson Chukwudi