Ndigbos kick over $1.5m WHO donation to Gov Ikpeazu

The cheque for 1.5 million dollars presented to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of ABia State by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is generating storms across the Southeastern states.

Stakeholders, traditional rulers and youth organisations are convinced the money would be ‘accidented’ and end up in private pockets thereby defeating the good gesture of the world health body.

The money which was meant for the implementation of the World Health Organisation’s ‘Save Our Million Lives’ Program – a maternal/child health care initiative in the state, was presented to Gov Okezie Ikpeazu by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. John Ahukanna who led the WHO delegation to the state. The Commissioner had, upon presentation of the cheque, urged that the money be judiciously disbursed to Maternal/Child Health Care throughout the state.

On the forefront of stakeholders who oppose the handing over of the money to government is radical founder of the Liberation Temple of Absolute God and Universal Worship Centre in Nri, Anambra state, Prophet Dr. Ramas Okoye Asuzu, Amb.P, FCON.

Ramas who spoke to The Daily Times on Wednesday at his country home in Anaocha Local Government Area, Nri, the famous ancestral home of Ndigbo, posted that the World Health Organisation has made a very big mistake because of the culture of non-accountability of governments to the electorate.

“We know what politicians do with state money and nobody has been able to hold them accountable.

“Part of all that money will go for their merry making, while they will keep the bulk for their next election; that is when we witness politicians carrying money in ‘Ghana-must-go’ bags to traditional rulers, to bishops and to reverends; that has been the culture and it will not help matters.

“Whatever they are sending to help the poor and downtrodden should be sent through foundations that have been caring for the sick and disabled, the widows and the less privileged in the society.

“Such a laudable project should be committed to well known foundations that has identified with grassroots people and their problems from time,” he said.

It would be recalled that the $1.5 million grant is a seed fund for beneficiary states whose work plans had been scrutinised by Federal Ministry Of Works/World Bank and approved as implemented.

The programme has a 12-month reassessment period which, if the previous year results are better, reward by way of more money is given to performing states. This health program lays emphasis on these six key areas: Vaccination Coverage in young children and Vitamin A supplementation in children, among others.