Rivers
VC Wants Association To Assist Govt Check Infectious Diseases Spread
Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt Prof Owunari Georgewill, has called on the Nigerian Biological Safety Association (NIBSA) to assist the government curb the spread of infectious dieseases in the country.
Georgewill said this in Port Harcourt while declaring open the association’s conference.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics of the university, Prof Kingsley Owete, he described the conference, which held at the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Uniport, as a welcome development in view of the challenges caused by infectious dieseases in the country.
The Vice Chancellor expressed the hope that the conference will come up with blazing innovations that will curb the trends of infectious dieseases in the country.
He also declared the readiness of the institution to support the association in all its activities.
In his welcome address, the National President of the association, Prof Abiodun A. Denloye, said members of the association have been providing skilled manpower for the diagnostic and analytical interventions in the fight against pathogens and diseases.
“Also, the Academic NiBSAItes have been involved in research as well as curriculum development and delivery in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
“Furthermore, our members have taken their pride of place in regional biosafety and biosecurity initiatives, including the West African Biorisk Management Network and the African centre for Dieseases Control”, Denloye said.
He also said membership strength of the Association has grown to over 750 across the country.
“With this, we have been fanning the embers of biological safety so much so that job follos have now included biosafety and our members appointed as biosafety officers in Research Institutes and diagnostic laboratory facilities.
“Also tertiary institutions also appoint our members to Institution biosafety committee and biosafety research ethics committees”, he said.
Also, chairman of the planning committee for the conference, Dr Austin Edache Abah, said the event marked the beginning of a journey of enlightenment towards knowing the critical point of intersection of biosecurity global health security and sustainable development.
“As we gather here, surrounded by the brightest minds and most dedicated professionals in the field, we are reminded of the profound significance of our work, be it biological and biomedical researchers, medical laboratory scientists, veterinarians, environmental scientists, medical doctors, nurses and other health professionals, agriculture education, and law engineering politics.
“Our collective commitment to exploring innovative strategies and fostering collaboration is fundamental to safeguarding our planet’s health and ensuring sustainable future for all”, he said.
Abah said the conference serves as a platform for bringing up insightful conversations exchanging ground breaking research and cultivating invaluable connection that transcends geographical boundaries.
In his words, “Through dynamic discourse and the sharing of best practices, we aim to unearth sustainable solutions that will address the multifaceted challenges of biosecurity in the context of our global health security agenda”.
Theme for the Conference was, “Deploying Biosecurity for Fulfilling Global Health Security Agenda and Sustainable Development”.
By: John Bibor
Rivers
Crisis Looms In Emohua Over Land Grabbing Allegation On Awuse
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There are palpable indications that if urgent steps are not taken promptly, major crisis may errupt in parts of Emohua Community in Emohua Local Government Area of the Rivers State.
This is sequel to land grabbing allegations against its King, the Nne Nwe Eli Emohua, HM, King Sergeant Chidi Awuse, by members of the Mgboh Royal family.
The people penultimate week, in a peaceful protest, called on the Rivers State Government and other relevant authorities to urgently come to their rescue.
Speaking during the protest walk to Government House in Port Harcourt, one of the protesters, Chief Nwosu Okachukwu, alleged that the land grabbers, working under the directives of King Sergeant Awuse, have commenced fencing of the disputed land despite a court order barring them for proceeding with work until the court hears the substance of their case.
“We are protesting because this land belongs to Mgbo family. We’ve written several times to the Commissioner of Police and others, no any action. The matter is also in the court.
“Sergeant Awuse and the group, they are the ones. We want government to intervene over this, come to our aid and hear what we are shouting, what we’re crying, because we want peace, we’re the peace-loving family”, he said.
Another member of the Mgboh Royal Family, Ogbondah Samuel, while appealing for swift government intervention, said the land in question is where their farms were and where they also rear animals.
Speaking in pidgin English, Samuel said Awuse is not a member of the Royal Family and that he just came and took over what belongs to them because nobody gave it to him.
He continued that if the land was officially given to Awuse, he would have also gotten the C of O, and with the Seal of the Royal Family.
“Let government come and help us. Give us what belongs to us because we don’t have strength. As you are seeing us, we’re facing hunger”, he said.
The protesters carrying placards with various inscription appealed for urgent government intervention to salvage the situation and prevent violence that may arise between Mgboh Royal Family members and agents of the land grabbers.
Some of the inscriptions read: “Our Land is not for sale”, “lies cannot prevent our truth”, “Awuse, you are not from Mgboh Royal Family and will not be”, “Awuse, you cannot purchase Royalty with money”, and “live the way God has created you”.
In his reaction, His Majesty, Ohna Chidi Sergeant Awuse, Nye Nweli Emohua XIII, Oloh IV, and Paramount Ruler of Emohua Kingdom, described the protesters as merchants of crimes and vices, who have through financial inducement taken advantage of a less fortunate circumstance of some individuals to stage a defamation protest against the personality of Ohna .
The monarch, who reacted through a statement issued by his press team, wondered the reason for a protest in a matter which the protesters had already taken to court and is still pending .
The statement further alleged that those behind the protest are the same group of people that peddled the death rumour of Awuse sometime last year while he was on medical trip abroad .
The statement further alleged that the sponsors of the protesters are fully aware of the absence of the King, who is again away on a medical trip in London, and for which they consider a good opportunity to manipulate lies against facts.
While exonerating the Emohua King of the protesters’ allegation of any other wrong doings, the statement appealed to the unsuspecting members of the public, the Emohua people, and the Rivers State Government to be wary of the protesters and to advise Royal Father’s accusers to purge themselves of evil capable of triggering break down of peace and order in the Kingdom, which it said has witnessed peace and stability since the Ohna Sergeant Awuse mounted the saddle of leadership.
Rivers
NAFDAC Destroys N4.7bn Worth Expired, Substandard Products In Rivers
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The National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sai it destroyed fake, expired, substandard drugs worth N4.7 billion in Rivers State.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, made the remark during the destruction exercise at the Rivers State dump site in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Adeyeye, represented by Mr. Chukwuma Oligbu, the NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, explained that the products were all seized from the six states of the South-South region.
The states are Rivers, Bayelsa. Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
She stated that the investigation, enforcement and destruction exercise was an unwavering resolve and commitment of the agency to protect the lives of the people.
According to her, the destruction of these harmful products was not just a routine exercise.
“It is a firm statement of our unwavering resolve and commitment to protect the lives of the people from the dangers of counterfeit and substandard medicines, unwholesome food, medical devices and other hazardous regulated products.
“These products, if allowed to circulate, could cause untold harm including treatment failures, drug resistance, prolonged illnesses, and even loss of lives”, she said.
Adeyeye explained that the products destroyed were made up of substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and food additives, unsafe cosmetics counterfeits.
She mentioned others as expired NAFDAC regulated products seized by the agency from manufacturers, importers and distributors.
According to the DG, some damaged and expired products were voluntarily handed over to the agency by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN) and Trade Unions.
She stated that the feat was achieved through intelligence gathering in July, 2024, adding that the estimated street value of the destroyed products was N4.7 billion.
Adeyeye further said the agency discovered several warehouses in Port Harcourt where some alcoholic beverages were being re-validated and re-introduced into circulation.
“After a properly coordinated surveillance, the warehouses were raided and products confiscated.
‘’Also, through this operation, a warehouse of unregistered cosmetics product was raided and products worth several millions of naira were confiscated.
“Seized unregistered imported vegetable oil without Vitamin A fortification and assorted unregistered cosmetics product from Delta state were also among the products destroyed”, she explained.
She acknowledged that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Edo State handed over two 40ft containers of various Pharmacological classes of unregistered and substandard drugs which was part of the items destroyed.
The DG commended the sister agencies who assisted NAFDAC in the feat for their unflinching support in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines and harmful products.
The agencies included Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Security (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
She also recognised the assistance of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and the media, assuring the agency’s commitment to protect the public from the harm of such products.
Adeyeye called on all stakeholders including health professionals, law enforcement agencies, industry players and the general public to support the fight by reporting suspicious activities and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
The dignitaries present at the occasion were the Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service Eastern Marine Command,
Others include, the Deputy Commander, NSCDC; the Rivers Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists; the Sole Administrator, RIWAMA; the State Fire Service, and the Coordinators of NAFDAC, South-South Zone.
Rivers
Don Proposes Group Matrix In Organisational Efficiency
A Professor in the Business Education Department at Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, Prof. Joy Amesi, has proposed Group Matrix model system to help assess staff and students towards achieving proficiency.
She said it can also be applied in a work place setting to determine individual performances and hence will propel staff to work more effectively.
According to her, the benefits and importance of Group Matrix cannot be over-emphasised as it is capable of enabling staff to improve their efficiency, and strategically improve on their work.
Group Matrix, she added, “is not just for products, but also for organisational efficiency”.
Amesi stated this recently while delivering her inaugural lecture during the institution’s 108th inaugural lecture on the topic, “Group Matrix Imperatives: Epistemological And Pedagogical Perspectives Of A Business Education”, held at the senate building of the University.
She further explained that the Group Matrix can be used for both academic and non-academic, business organisations, and students in academic institutions.
“Group Matrix can be used to assess staff in an organisation. It’s not only for products and also not only for marketing, but can be used to assessing staff and students, knowing their performances and to enable them work better than the way they should have worked previously.
“This year academic institution should have applied Matrix in their assessment of staff and students for better equipment”, She stated.
Prof Amesi recommended, among other things, that institutions and organisations should select the most appropriate matrix and model to be utilised in the assessment of staff and learners.
In his speech the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, said the inaugural lecture is special for them because it provides an opportunity for them to tell the world that as a university they are working, adding that the University is carrying out teaching, research and community services which is the three primary objectives of every university.
“Education is central to all that we do as a people, as a state and as a nation. Without education, we cannot make progress”, Prof. Okogbule said.
He commended the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, for coming for the inaugural lecture, adding that when Prof Amesi was promoted to the rank of Professor, Justice Amadi hosted her, and he was privileged to be part of the event.
“My lord, I thank you very much for recognising the ability, quality in this young lady.
“There is no doubt you see that today in Prof Amesi, that Rivers State University did not make a mistake to promote her to the rank of Professor in the business education faculty in the university”, he said.
By: Kiadum Edookor
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