Experts have advised Nigerians above 40 years to ensure that they do complete medical checkups yearly. They were also asked to take the issues of their health seriously.
According to a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday, the experts made the call during a free medical outreach organised by The Redeemed Christian Church of God Radio during the just-concluded Holy Ghost Congress at the Redemption City, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.
The statement quoted an optometrist, Dr Abel Owah, as saying that it was important to pay more attention to preventive health.
He said, “Everyone after the age of 40 should do a full body check yearly, and take their general well-being seriously, preventive health is better.”
Owah also called on the government to fund, upgrade and make the primary healthcare system in the country effective.
He said it was important to upgrade the primary health centres because it would solve 70 percent of the health challenges in Nigeria.
He added, “If the government can make primary health centres effective, 70 percent of the medical problems in Nigeria will be taken care of.
He also called on RCCG to subsidise the cost of medication for members.
“Many aged people are diabetic and hypertensive, even though they also have eye problems, they should be given free medications because medicine is now very expensive. RCCG can subsidise it for their members,” he said.
The convener of the health outreach and host of the RCCG Radio Programme, titled, ‘My Health Show,’ Oluwadamilola Omola, said over 500 members were attended to by the medics at the Old Auditorium, Redemption City.
Omola encouraged Christians not to neglect their health.
“Christians always put their faith in God while they neglect their health, it is important to take your health as a priority, we decided to give back to society to enable people to have free medical checks. Blue Coral Health Services screened them for eye check, oral check, blood sugar, and blood pressure and the Ministry of Health, Ogun State were also around to monitor.
“Coge Health initiative provided Hepatitis B screening and vaccination, and they gave free medication on anti-depressants, hypertension. My message to Christians is that they should take their health because if your goal is to win souls, you need to take your health to be able to win souls. You don’t have to wait till you’re sick before going for a medical check-up,” Omola said.
Oil theft: Navy arrests fake officer, two others in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy said its operatives have arrested three suspects, including an imposter who impersonated a naval officer for allegedly issuing forged documents to facilitate illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State.
The Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo, disclosed this while parading the suspects before newsmen after which they were handed over to the police in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Commodore Igbo said the suspects were facilitating fake oil approval for a vessel ‘MV Mother Gabrini’ when they were intercepted on November 8, 2023, by the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Bonny Island.
According to Igbo, the crew presented a fake NNS Pathfinder oil approval, and upon discovery, the Base sprang into action to apprehend the persons involved in the illicit act.
He disclosed that the suspects were trailed and arrested in different locations after a one-week sustained intelligence-led operation.
He said amongst the arrested suspects was an imposter who impersonated naval personnel to conduct illegal escort and security in events within Rivers State, saying two camouflage uniforms and other military gear were recovered from his house.
Commodore Igbo stated, “In pursuance of the Chief of the Naval Staff strategic directive, NNS Pathfinder has sustained its efforts at curbing crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.
“The sustained effort of the Base has denied the criminal elements freedom of action. As a result, these criminal elements involved in this economic sabotage have resulted in a new tactic of issuing forged documents to facilitate illegal bunkering activities.
“These three suspects were arrested for facilitating a fake oil approval for MV Mother Gabrini. The vessel was arrested on 8th November, 20233 for suspected illegal bunkering activities by FOB Bonny.
“During the preliminary investigation, the crew presented a fake NNS Pathfinder oil approval. Accordingly, the Base sprang into action to apprehend the persons involved in forging the Base oil approval.”
Continuing, he said, “The suspects before were trailed and arrested in different locations after a one-week sustained intelligence-led operation.
“It is pertinent to state that one of the suspects, Mr Williams Nweale is also an impostor. He impersonates naval personnel to conduct illegal escort and security in events within Rivers State. Two Camouflage uniforms and other military uniform items were recovered from his house.”
Igbo warns oil thieves and other criminals within the State to change their ways, saying the Base will stop at nothing to ensure that they are arrested and prosecuted.
He also advised residents to continue to support the Base by providing useful information about criminal activities around them.
Speaking after receiving the suspects, the Divisional Police Officer of Rumuelumini Division, CSP Olufunke Opayemi, assured that he will continue the investigation, saying upon conclusion the suspects will be charged in court.
