Iorliam Shija: Acknowledging giant strides of Grassroots Support for Tinubu 2027

The remarkable strides of the group Grassroots Support for Tinubu 2027 1019 Initiative, GST for short,whose humanitarian activities target rural dwellers, women, youths, and the elderly across Nigeria, speak volumes. These efforts not only reflect the positive disposition of the group’s convener, Mr. Tersoo David Ukechir, but also present the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu—whom Mr. Ukechir refers to as his mentor—in a different light.

Mr. Ukechir, a businessman and philanthropist, has anchored his activities on a deep desire to showcase the president’s humane nature by demonstrating what the president truly represents. He seeks to highlight the personal virtues and principles President Tinubu holds dear—values that politics and politicking might otherwise obscure.

According to Mr. Ukechir, these virtues are rooted in the president’s love for humanity, empathy, outreach to others, and efforts to ease the struggles of those who cannot help themselves. In his private and public life spanning decades, Mr. Ukechir has observed that these virtues are the core messages President Tinubu preaches to family, friends, and mentees. Consequently, GST’s initiatives include free medical outreaches, free transportation for Nigerians, payment of bursaries and scholarships for students, and interventions in other humanitarian areas.

Grassroots Support for Tinubu 2027 1019 Initiative began its interventions with free medical outreaches in selected communities across Benue State. The first outreach took place in Ningev, Vandiekya Local Government Area, the hometown of the convener. Key activities included medical consultations, diagnoses, and surgeries.

During the week-long exercise, over 12,000 people were treated, including about 2,500 surgeries—all fully funded by GST. A similar outreach followed at Tsambe settlement, also in Vandiekya Local Government Area, where over 14,000 people were treated and 1,700 surgeries performed.

This GST Free Medical Outreach, which lasts six days at each location, has successfully reached over 45,000 people and conducted 10,000 surgeries in total. In Benue State alone, besides Ningev and Tsambe, the outreach has extended to:

• Ushongo Local Government Area: Tse Aku
• Gboko Local Government Area: Gboko Central, Hyungwanor, Ameladu, and Yandev communities
• Tarka Local Government Area: Wananue
• Buruku Local Government Area: Buruku Township, Mbaya, Binev Mbalagh, and Abwa communities
• Otukpo Local Government Area: Otukpo Township
• Oju Local Government Area: Oju Township
• Ogbadibo Local Government Area: Otukpa and Orokam communities

Following successful outreaches in the three senatorial zones of Benue State, the medical team moved to Nasarawa State, conducting similar activities in Lafia, Awe, Nasarawa Egon, Kokona, and Garaku communities. The GST Free Medical Team now plans to continue their outreach in Bauchi State, promising to touch even more lives. The convener has also sponsored medical tourism for individuals needing specialized health care, many of whom he had never met before.

Medical outreaches are not the only way GST seeks to alleviate challenges faced by Nigerians. The Free Transportation Scheme is another major initiative. Mr. Ukechir has purchased 20 Hummer buses and 6 brand-new Coaster buses to convey Nigerians free of charge across the country, with parks located in Benue, Niger, Kaduna, Kogi States, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Plans are underway to acquire more vehicles and establish additional parks nationwide.

Recognizing the financial challenges of education, Mr. Ukechir has awarded scholarships to 300 students of Benue State University, Makurdi—now known as Rev Fr Moses Orshio Adasu University (MOAU). There are plans to extend this scholarship scheme to other universities, including Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; University of Jos; and select institutions in Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, and Borno States.

In his bid to improve access to clean water, Mr. Ukechir, through GST, has successfully drilled over 70 solar-powered boreholes across various states including Benue, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Delta, and Nasarawa. Additionally, he has contributed to the growth of churches, socio-cultural groups, and private individuals in many other impactful ways that cannot all be detailed here.

The convener of GST, who uses his personal funds for these efforts, often says his inspiration comes from his mentor, President Tinubu.

These gestures are more than mere campaign activities for President Tinubu’s second term; they underscore Mr. Ukechir’s belief and desire for Nigerians to see the president beyond the ongoing reforms since he took office in 2023. GST invites Nigerians to reassess the country’s overall turnaround when the full impact of the president’s innovations become evident. It also highlights the principles that President Tinubu truly represents. The giant strides made by the group in such a short time are highly commendable and widely recognized.

Iorliam Shija: Acknowledging giant strides of Grassroots Support for Tinubu 2027