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Coronavirus Pandemic: NCDC, NLNG, MAN Hail Wike’s Stance Against Spread …As Lebanese Community Donates To RSG
The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for his firm, strong, committed and personal leadership to check the spread of the novel Coronavirus disease in Rivers State.
Speaking during a meeting between Rivers State governor and officials of NCDC at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Ihekweazu said that Rivers State was important in the fight to stop the spread of the virus.
Ihekweazu said: “This is a working visit. I want to thank you for your firm, strong, committed and personally-led response to Covid-19 in Rivers State.
“Rivers is one of the most important gate-ways into the country and one of the most important economies in the country. So, Rivers is important, not only to you but to the entire country.
“We thank you very much for your leadership and we need your leadership to continue in order for us to continue doing our work nationally.”
The NCDC director general said that his team was in Rivers State to engage with the state Public Health Team to consolidate on the successes on the fight against Coronavirus.
“This is actually a joint team. I have come with the officer in charge of World Health Organisation (WHO). We have come together to offer our support.
“Your Excellency, you have an excellent public health team to which I have an excellent working relationship with. We have a close technical working relationship.
“The purpose of this visit is to engage with the team and understand their challenges and continue driving that close coordination,” he said.
Ihekweazu noted that because of the unique nature of the virus, all stakeholders must work in unity, stressing, “The unique nature of this virus is that it is a global pandemic. None of us can do this on our own. No country can do this on its own.
“We share information across the states to make sure that everyone is informed as they can possibly be. We share Information on new developments, strategies, what works and what doesn’t work.
“Whether it is in detection, prevention and treatment, our role as NCDC is to make sure that our technical colleagues are able to respond at all levels and are supported in any way with the expertise they need.”
He said that because the prolonged lockdown cannot continue indefinitely, stakeholders must begin to work towards gradually reopening the economy without endangering the population.
The NCDC leader also urged the private sector to focus more on helping the states to build their capacity to respond to the virus.
Responding on behalf of the Rivers State Government, the Health Commissioner, Prof Princewill Chike said that Governor Nyesom Wike has strengthened the public health system of the state to fight Coronavirus.
Chike said that before the Coronavirus pandemic, the Rivers State Government was already battling Lassa fever, Monkey Pox and HIV/AIDS.
He said as a result of the proactive leadership of the governor, the state has no current confirmed case of Ccoronavirus, adding that the two cases in the state have been treated and discharged.
“Since January, Rivers State has had two cases of Coronavirus; a 19-year model and a 62-year old retiree. They have been treated and discharged. All the 214 persons that had contact with them were placed under surveillance. Except for two cases, all other contacts have exited Isolation,” he said.
The commissioner noted that the proactive approach of the governor in tackling Coronavirus centres on early detection, prevention and treatment.
Chike said: “We give kudos to our governor for his proactive approach at tackling Coronavirus. It has been successful. The Rivers State Executive Council set up a sensitization committee to sensitise and inform the people on ways to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.”
The Rivers State Government said that it has PCR machines, but added that they were devoted to the treatment of other major ailments before the outbreak of Coronavirus.
The commissioner said that another set of PCR machines to be devoted to the testing and treatment of Covid-19 was on its way to the state, and also announced that all public hospitals in different local government areas of the state have Covid-19 centres, developed by the Wike-led administration.
He said: “They have been developed to hold suspect cases before the intervention of the State Rapid Response Team on Covid-19.”
The Rivers State Government called on the Federal Government to take immediate steps to stop oil companies from violating the state Executive Order on restriction of movement.
Chike said: “The way some oil companies breach the Executive Order issued by the Rivers State governor to restrict movement in and out of the state can jeopardise the fight against Coronavirus. The Rivers State Government needs the support of the Federal Government in this regard.”
The Rivers State Government also requested the establishment of a functional infectious diseases laboratory to handle Coronavirus testing, emphasising that even though it was in the process of setting up its major laboratory, the strategic place of Rivers State as the nation’s oil and gas hub requires a federal testing centre.
Similarly, the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) has commended the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for taking proactive steps to protect Rivers people from Coronavirus.
This is as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Rivers and Bayelsa State Chapter also praised Wike for setting up measures to check the spread of Coronavirus in the state.
They spoke in Port Harcourt, last Friday, while presenting palliatives for Rivers people to the Rivers State Government.
The General Manager Corporate Services, NLNG, Sir Joseph Alagoa, said that the Rivers State Government has done well in the fight against Coronavirus.
Alagoa said: “Permit me on behalf of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) to commend the Rivers State governor on the proactive steps he has taken in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We also commend him for ensuring that the people of Rivers State are protected from its spread.
“While we applaud your efforts, we also recognise that the state government cannot go it alone. It is also important for the private sector and individuals to provide support.”
The NLNG made donations to the Rivers State Government to assist it in the fight to check Coronavirus.
“We will be donating two pickup vans, five ventilators, 30 monitors and 17,000 pieces of Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs).
“In addition, we will be donating equipment and materials worth $1million to upgrade specific facilities at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.
“In addition to that, we will be refurbishing and setting up 10-bed Isolation and holding Centre at the Bonny Zonal Hospital, and this will cost $1.05million.
“This centre will be equipped with all the necessary medical equipment to ensure that it is fully functional in the event that Covid-19 becomes present in the Bonny area.
“We will be donating food items valued at over $250,000 to our host communities as palliatives. We are doing this to guarantee the safety of lives and property. In total, what we have donated is about $2.8million,” he said.
Alagoa called on all stakeholders to work together at this crucial time.
He said: “This is to show our stand and determination to work with the Government of Rivers State and also the people of Rivers State at this time that all hands need to be on deck to work together to tackle this challenge.
“These are trying times, and we all need to stay together, standing together and most importantly, supporting each other at this trying time.”
The Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Rivers and Bayelsa State, Senator Adawari Pepple lauded the governor for taking the right steps for the state.
Pepple said: “So far, all the steps that have been taken by the Rivers State Government have been very positive. We are glad to note that we haven’t recorded more incidents than what we have.
“Even those who were declared positive have now been treated, and they are negative. This is worth celebrating.”
MAN assured the Rivers State Government that it would support its efforts at offering palliatives to the people, adding, “We have come to lend our support to Rivers State Government in its fight to check the spread of Coronavirus.”
Also, last Friday, one of the largest shopping complexes in Africa, Next Cash and Carry donated different foodstuffs and beverages to the Rivers State Government.
The Chief Financial Officer, Next Cash and Carry Ltd, Sir Nnaedozie Okwoli, lauded the governor for the fight to check the spread of Coronavirus.
Responding, the Chairman of Rivers State Covid-19 Palliatives Committee, Amb Desmond Akawor, thanked the donors for supporting the Rivers State Government to reach out to her people.
Akawor said: “Today, Next Cash and Carry has scored a major point by donating these items to a friend in need. The efforts of Governor Wike have yielded efforts as the state for now has nobody with the virus.
“But there are consequences for the lockdown. The shops and markets are not there. He has set up committees to buy off foodstuffs from farmers and fishermen, and then, distribute to the less privileged.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Chike Princewill assured that all the donations would be judiciously used by the Rivers State Government for the benefit of Rivers people.
Similarly, the Rivers State Government says the stringent measures it has taken since the outbreak of the Coronavirus in the country are targeted at preventing its community spread which would be difficult to manage.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, made the assertion shortly after taking delivery of four truckloads of bags of rice and noodles donated by the Lebanese Community in support of the ongoing distribution of palliatives to natives of the state.
Danagogo, while appealing for the support of the media in sustaining public enlightenment and awareness about the virus, warned that the facilities put in place would not be sufficient should the virus degenerate to a pandemic through community spread.
The Chairman of the Lebanese Community in Rivers State, Charles Solomon, said he was satisfied with measures taken so far by the state government to curtail the spread of the virus in the state.
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.