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Group Delivers Free Medical Care To Okrika
The Rivers Equity Group, last Wednesday, landed in Okrika Local Government Area in Rivers State with its message of free medical outreach in collaboration with the Linsolar Eye Clinic.
The Rivers Equity Group led by Hon. Elder Clapton Ogolo and assisted by Sir John Nalley, on arrival at Okrika Island were warmly received by the Council Chairman, Hon. Akuro Tobin, in the company of his Vice, Hon. Charity Igbulubo, and other council officials and political appointees.
Briefing the council chairman, the Deputy Leader of the group, Sir J.P. Nalley, said that the group’s mission to Okrika was to ensure that the people get free medical attention, adding that the programme was in series across the 23 local governments aimed at reaching out to the people to cater for their healthcare needs, especially their eyes and to enlighten them on the Electoral Act, the importance of the PVC, non-violent elections, and the need to live healthy and stay alive to enjoy the dividends of democratic governance.
He expressed expectation that, by the grace of God, the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in the upcoming 2023 governorship electionin Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, would deliver good governance to the people, if elected.
Furthermore, he said that the free medical outreach was a divinely inspired project fully endorsed by Fubara, who he said, agrees with and fully supports the project as it was an avenue to not just go and enlighten the people but to also accompany it with value in the form of free medical outreach to indigent people across the state.
He thanked the chairman with his team and the good people of Okrika for the warm and superlative welcome accorded the Rivers Equity Group.
In his response, e Okrika Council Chairman, Hon. Akuro Tobin, expressed joy that the project has reached his people, and thanked the Rivers Equity Group for coming to reach out to the people of Okrika through such a laudable programme.
He said that Okrika was a complete PDP territory, adding that so long as the group was backed by Fubara, Okrika was with PDP and would stand with Fubara and all PDP candidates in the forthcoming 2023 general election.
He said that with the good works of Governor Nyesom Wike all over the state and his complementary efforts in the area,Okrika people were at home with the PDP, and had no alternative but the PDP and PDP alone.
During a town hall meeting, Tobin, told his people that the group was backed by Sir Siminialayi Fubara, who was the governorship candidate of the PDP for the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state.
He explained that with SIM as the incoming governor of the state, better days were on the horizon.
He charged the people to ensure that all hands were on deck to secure convincing victory for Fubara and other PDP candidates for the sustenance and consolidation of the giant strides in every sector of the economy of the state under the NEW Rivers Vision of Chief Nyesom Wike.
The chairman also promised that the council would take care of the bill for the treatment of those whose cases need referral as he also requested the Rivers Equity Group to come back for a repeat free medical outreach in the area so as to extend the gesture to more people in the area.
Thereafter, Tobin declared open the free medical outreach programme as he personally handed over free eyeglasses and drugs to a select 20 beneficiaries, just as he inspected the medical facilities of the partners of the team, Linsolar Eye Clinic.
He also took advantage of the moment to get his eyes tested, and was given a suitable prescribed pair of eyeglasses.
Earlier, the CEO of Linsolar Eye Clinic, Dr. Adeline Aluge, gave a brief talk on the medical services expected and procedures.
She also admonished the people to always avoid practices that were capable of damaging their eyes and always seek proper medical help for sustained healthy eyes, even as she said that to vote right, the eyes were important to avoid wasting their votes.
Earlier, the group had proceeded along with the Okrikacouncil chairman on separate courtesy visits to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, and Amanyanabo of Kirike Kingdom, Air Commodore T.E.O. Ogube (rtd).
At the palaces of the two kings, the group was warmly welcomed, just as its leaders, Elder Clapton Ogolo and BarristerEmekaIchoku, briefed the monarchs on the mission of the Rivers Equity Group to Okrika.
The message was the same – reaching the unreached indigent citizens with care for their health – especially their eyes, as well as enlighten them on the Electoral Act and an admonition to shun electoral violence.
In their separate responses at their different palaces, the monarchs’ messages were the same.
They appreciated the group for the lofty project they had embarked on, especially as it was geared towards helping the poor masses.
They blessed the group for the successful execution of the project, and declared support of Okrika people for the candidature of Sir SiminialayiFubara.
They also admonished the group to carry on with the good works, especially to amplify the message of non-violence and peaceful coexistence.
The medical care included treatments, drugs administration, free eyeglasses,while more serious cases were referred for further medical attention.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.