Rivers

ACOMIN Urges Govt To Commit To HIV, Others

Published

2 years ago

December 1, 2023

In order for Nigeria to ensure progress in the control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), and Malaria (ATM) in the country there is the need for government at all levels, and other stakeholders to adopt combined measures.
The Rivers State Chairman, of the Association of Civil Societies in Malaria Control, Immunisation, and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Pastor John Ihua-Maduenyi, made this disclosure, midweek, at a media meeting in ACOMIN’s office in Port Harcourt.
Ihua-Maduenyi said the combination of measures should include “prevention and treatment, health education and promotion, and community partnership”.
Towards this end, the State ACOMIN boss urged governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders to commit to ensuring that funding and financing for primary health delivery should be carefully mapped out and sanctioned against any misappropriation or mismanagement, to enable a robust public health programme at all award levels in the Local Government Areas.
He listed other measures, saying, “ the National Health Insurance programme enjoyed by the formal sector should be extended to other citizens of Nigeria, particularly the poor and most vulnerable.
“The poor often are less educated and unemployed, and consequently lack ability to pay out-of-pocket for high costs associated with frequent illnesses.
“Communication and education programmes can raise knowledge and awareness, and, in turn, improve testing and care-seeking. There’s a great need to educate, engage, and empower the communities to embrace any behaviour change relevant to achieving success in Malaria, HIV, and TB control in Nigeria.
“Every Ward should commit to health promotion and education programmes to increase awareness of prevention measures, and promote community participation and adherence to evidence-based strategies.
“Commit adequate resources through advocacy and partnerships, for the full and effective implementation of all planned interventions, including through involving of the private sector, and community participatory approaches.
“Community members should actively support and advocate for their local Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs). Community involvement is crucial in ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of these centres.
“Additionally, community support can manifest through volunteering, donating resources, or participating in advocacy efforts to secure increased funding and resources for PHCs”.
To further enhance instilling the importance of effectively instituting the listed measures, Ihua-Maduenyi emphasized the urgent need for “strengthening health systems, providing needed financial resources, renewing political leadership, and fostering collaborations”.
According to him, “evidence-based cost-effective interventions such as community-led monitoring need to be scaled up and include community-based differentiated service delivery models, less frequent visits to a health facility with less frequent and an improved focus on people-centred care.
“Finally, innovations in service delivery and technology adaptations remain critical as countries aim to limit disruptions to routine services”.
On factors debilitating effective service delivery in some Local Government Areas, raised by some stakeholders at the meeting, the HIV Desk Officer, Rivers State Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB), Dr. Mekele Igwe, assured that the issues will be excallated with a view to resolving them.

By: Soibi Max-Alalibo

Rivers

LG Administrator Commits To Completing Ongoing Projecrs … Urges Students Of The LGA To Be Focused

Published

3 days ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

Abua/Odual Local Government Area Administrator, Sir Okroiyobi A. Arugu, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to completing all ongoing developmental projects initiated by the previous administration.

Sir Arugu gave this assurance, Tuesday, during an inspection visit to the Okana-Ayama Road Project, one of the key infrastructural projects in the LGA.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the inspection, he stated that strategic measures are being put in place to ensure timely completion of projects, which are slated for commissioning in the coming weeks.

“Our focus is on continuity and consolidation. We owe it to the people of Abua/Odual to complete these projects and deliver tangible dividends of democracy”, he declared.

In a related development, the Administrator played host to the leadership of the National Union of Abua/Odual Students (NUABOS), who paid him a congratulatory and courtesy visit at the council secretariat.

Speaking during the visit, Sir Arugu urged students across the LGA to remain dedicated to their academic pursuits, avoid negative peer pressure, and resist involvement in societal vices, especially amidst union-related activities.

“Education remains the key to sustainable development. My administration will do all it can to support students in achieving their dreams”, he stated.

During the visit, NUABOS President, Comr. Umoroye Ojike, alongside other union stakeholders, briefed the Administrator on the challenges facing students and presented proposals for upcoming student programmes.

The programme included a request for sponsorship of an inter-school Quiz and Debate Competition among secondary schools in the area.

Sir Arugu pledged to look into their concerns and assured them of his support.

In addition, the Administrator also received other well-wishers and stakeholders from across the LGA, including his Former Colleagues, school friends from Comprehensive College Bolokiri, who paid him a congratulatory visit.

The Administrator expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he has received and reiterated his resolve to serve the people of Abua/Odual with transparency, accountability, and development-focused leadership.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

NDDC Expands Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme To Nigerian Universities

Published

3 days ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has announced the expansion of the commission’s Postgraduate Scholarship Programme to include Nigerian universities.

Ogbuku made the disclosure during an interview session for candidates applying for the commission’s foreign postgraduate scholarship, held in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

He stated that under the expanded scheme, 600 indigent students from the Niger Delta region would be awarded scholarships to pursue postgraduate degrees in universities across Nigeria.

“The 600 students will benefit from the expanded scheme, compared to the 200 who currently receive foreign scholarships”, he said.

Ogbuku emphasised that the selection process for the local scholarship awards would be conducted with full transparency, ensuring that only qualified candidates are chosen.

He further noted that recipients of the commission’s foreign scholarships programme had consistently distinguished themselves academically in their respective countries of study.

“We commend our interview panellists for their dedication and impartiality, which ensures that only the most qualified candidates are selected for the scholarships”, he added.

Also speaking, the Director of Education, Health, and Social Services at the NDDC, Dr. George Uzonwanne, outlined the rigorous procedures adopted to maintain a transparent selection process.

He revealed that over 30,000 applicants had applied for the scholarships, with only about 6,000 candidates passing the Computer-Based Test (CBT).

“From this number, 2,500 applicants scored 70 per cent or higher, enabling them to proceed to the oral interview stage, which will determine the final beneficiaries of the foreign postgraduate scholarships”, Uzonwanne stated.

He reaffirmed the integrity of the process, noting that candidates receive their test scores immediately upon completion of the CBT, thereby ensuring transparency and fairness.

Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick

Rivers

Power Surge Kills 2 In Okrika

Published

3 days ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

Two persons have been confirmed dead and several others injured as a result of power surge at Ogan mainland and Fiberesima Ama all in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

According to one of the victims, Mrs. Justina Moses, the incident, which occurred on Tuesday night, also led to the destruction of property worth millions of naira.

Meanwhile, the Sole Administrator of Okirika Local Government Area, Engr. Tamunobipiye Isodiki, has confirmed the incident.

Isodiki, who visited the affected communities, also expressed shock over the incident and also called on the management of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) to upgrade their facilities to avoid future occurrence of such an incident.

The Sole Administrator also stressed the need for PHED to be vigilant and improve efficiency and capacity to safeguard the lives and property of the indigenes of the area.

While blaming the incident on low quality cables and improper wiring, he said the incident could have been avoided if the distribution company had been vigilant.

“It is obvious that the power upsurge is the cause as well as low quality cables, improper wiring and very poor connections.

“I feel very sorry for the loss of two lives, the complete burning of one house and partial destruction/burning of about five other houses.

“PHED should not just be interested in collecting money or revenue from their consumers, but also be interested in seeing to it that proper connections and wiring are done in people’s premises”, he said.

Isodiki also advised consumers of electricity to be careful with their electrical appliances and avoid illegal connection.

According to him, those that have been displaced as a result of the fire outbreak should seek shelters with their neighbours while the council seeks for ways of helping them.

He said the two persons who died in the incident should be blamed for attempting to change face or put up power on the fuse box.

Earlier, while conducting the Sole Administrator and his team round the affected communities, the immediate past caretaker Committee chairperson of Okrika Local Government Area, Princess Ibinabo Ogan, and Chief Ebenezer Ogan said the incident happened around midnight when people were still in bed.

According to them, but for timely intervention of some youths, more lives and property would have been lost.

Also speaking, the PHED Okirika service centre Manager, Engr. Ellis Anjumbo, said the 11 KV line snapped and fell on the lower 415 line and unto 16mm that caused the upsurge.

Mrs. Justina Moses, who was one of the victims, appealed to the Sole Administrator to assist them in getting alternative accommodation and financial support.

John Bibor, Confidence Daniel, Bekwele Homa