Niger Delta
Minister Lauds Diri On Health Sector Performance … Inaugurates Hemodialysis Centre In Bayelsa
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali-Pate, has praised Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, for prioritising the health of citizens and residents of the state.
He gave the commendation recently while inaugurating the newly established Hemodialysis and General Out-Patient Centre at the 500-bed hospital within the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Yenagoa, as part of activities marking the fifth anniversary in office celebration of the Governor.
The Tide gathered that the facility was established to address non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and kidney failure.
Ali-Pate noted that tackling a major health issue like non-communicable disease in Nigeria was a strong statement of commitment by the Governor as it touches the lives of millions of people.
He said what the Bayelsa State Government was doing in the health sector was in line with the Federal Government’s health policy where states invest their resources and the Federal Government complements that to address the needs of the people.
The Health and Social Welfare Minister also commended Governor Diri for appointing a seasoned health professional as Commissioner for Health, saying Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe’s performance made the federal ministry sought his services at the national level.
In his remarks, the State Governor said his government broke the jinx by equipping the 500-bed hospital with state-of-the-art facilities by inaugurating the Hemodialysis and General Out-Patient Centre.
He said the centre was conceived due to the death of his mother in 2013 from renal failure and that he desired to have such facility to treat those with similar health conditions.
The Governor acknowledged the immediate past Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who donated N500 million to the Bayelsa Medical University.
He noted that the fund had been judiciously used, stressing that his administration does not play politics with development as the facility will not only serve Bayelsa, but also other neighbouring states who have students in the university.
“I feel very fulfilled that our people will no longer die of renal failure. I feel fulfilled that we can now offer these services to Bayelsans and to Nigerians.
“I was very happy when the medical university authorities approached me about this hemodialysis centre. Without wasting time, I approved it. I already had an inner desire for this hemodialysis centre.
“Let me appreciate former Governor of Rivers State and current honourable Minister of the FCT. I do not play politics with development and whoever assisted us, we will always acknowledge and recognise you publicly”, he said.
In his welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, said the centre was a leap forward in renal care and an active drive towards universal access to healthcare, stressing that inaugurating the centre was a defining moment in the state government’s efforts towards addressing the growing burden of kidney diseases in the country and in Bayelsa.
The Tide reports that the Health Minister also inaugurated the Zipline Aerial Logistics Delivery System complex and an 800-metre concrete access road at Elebele.
Present at the events were the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Chief Fred Agbedi, Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Secretary to the State Government, Prof Nimibofa Ayaowei, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State, Chief Solomon Agwana, and other top government functionaries.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was bigger than any individual and that its internal challenges would be fixed once the members resolve to tackle them.
He stated this while speaking to journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja recently after the inauguration of the party’s South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee led by Elder Emma Ogidi.
The Governor said the political will to confront those fomenting trouble in the party resided with the members and not solely on the leadership.
Diri, who is also Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, stated that for the party to be competitive as the oldest in the country, it must look inwards and fix its internal issues.
“For me, we have to look inwards before accusing those outside our party. We have to first fix our internal issues.
“It is very easy to point accusing fingers. But the PDP has to sit back and tackle its internal challenges. That is only when we can stand to compete with others.
“I want the PDP to be competitive with other political parties. We are the oldest political party in Nigeria. So we have no reason to be accusing outsiders”, he said.
On whether the party’s leadership had the political will to discipline those fomenting trouble, Governor Diri said such will resided with the members.
“We are all members of the party. The moment we all resolve that we need to fix our party, there cannot be any one person that is bigger than the party”, he added.
He stressed that the newly inaugurated zonal caretaker committee had the mandate of the National Working Committee to look into every issue affecting the party in the South-South.
The Bayelsa helmsman expressed the hope that the event was a step forward for the party.
“In our zone, which is the only area in the country you have four governors of the party, we have all resolved and are together on this. You can see the Deputy Governor of Delta State, who represented the Governor.
“I’ve also received messages from the governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers. It shows that we are together and what we need to do is to show leadership and work with the zonal committee so that our zone will again become safe and strong for the PDP”, Diri noted.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, says the State Government was committed to maintaining the existing peace in the riverine communities to sustain oil production, the mainstay of the nation’s economy.
The Governor, who stated this on Monday when the course participants of the Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN), Calabar, visited at Government House, Asaba, said Delta remained highest in oil production.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Oborevwori said the current administration has constructed several kilometers of roads and drainage channels in the riverine areas of the state.
Oborevwori disclosed that his administration, through the M.O.R.E Agenda, was committed to “fostering inclusive development and enhancing the quality of lives of our people.
“This administration is also committed to maintaining the prevailing peace in the riverine communities as the state is the highest in crude oil production, the mainstay of the economy of Nigeria.
“It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this courtesy call to kick-start your study tour of the State with effect from today, March 17, 2025.
“I am aware that the tour is a vital aspect of your course curriculum. A delegation of 60 officials under the leadership of Rear Admiral A.O. Olodude and supported by Commodore C.U. Yahaya, Commandant and Deputy-Commandant of the College, respectively.
“This underscores the seriousness of the study and the State Government is pleased to identify with the College.
“Your study theme, ‘Maritime Security: A Panacea for Viable Socio-Economic Development’, holds the pathway to the safety and development of the blue economy of Nigeria.”
The Governor noted that maritime security was critical to the socio-economic development of the people.
According to him, Delta State has an area of 18,050 Square Kilometres; about 60 per cent is Land while 40 per cent is water with a coastline of approximately 163Km along the Atlantic Ocean.
“The M.O.R.E Agenda of this administration is committed to fostering inclusive development and enhancing the quality of lives of our people.
”In spite of the huge cost of riverine infrastructure development, government has taken deliberate step in connecting and transforming the maritime landscape.
“Before the commencement of the construction of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway by the Federal Government, the Delta State Government had gone ahead to construct several length of roads and drainage channels in the riverine areas including seven completed bridges”, he stated.
Oborevwori further said the State Government had leveraged its award-winning Contributory Health Scheme to deliver quality and affordable healthcare services to the Under-five, Pre-Natal and Pregnant Women.
“To improve the health status of the people in the riverine communities, the State Government priotised the enhancement of Primary Healthcare to ensure quality service delivery.
“The present administration has continued with the development of the coastal communities.
“The creation of the Ministry of Riverine Infrastructure Development is calculated at addressing infrastructure deficit in the riverine communities for Rural – Urban integration.
“For your take home, let me mention a few: Trans Warri-Ode-Itsekiri Road and Bridges; Construction of a 18.17km Okerenkoko – Pepeama – Kokodiagbene Roads with a spur to Teiteipor in Warri South-West LGA.
”Also construction of a 2.5km Okerenkoko Township Roads (Phase II) in Warri South-West LGA; Rehabilitation of the 26.61km Bomadi /Gbaregolor Road in Bomadi LGA; Rehabilitation of the 26.34km Ohoro/Bomadi/Gbaregolor Roads in Bomadi LGA.
“The State has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government in the development of the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, a specialized University to enhance Maritime education and research.
“Delta State Government has continued to collaborate with the various Security Agencies through the provision of logistic supports to enhance their operations in the riverine areas and the State in general.
“At an institutional level, the State Government has recruited a significant number of staff to enhance our Waterways Security Network in the coastal communities.
“In addition, Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) is an interventionist agency with the mandate to provide critical infrastructure in the oil producing Communities of the State.
“Let me assure you that maritime security is a top priority of this administration as the state is determined to maintain the prevailing peace in the riverine communities as the highest in crude oil production, the mainstay of the economy of Nigeria”, Oborevwori said.
He urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunities the tour offers, and had wished the participants a successful tour of the state.
Earlier, Rear Admiral A.O. Olodude, who led the participants said that 60 officials were undertaking the study to access the performance of the military in coastal areas.
Akwa Ibom state Police Command has arrested one Ndifreke Nelson for allegedly killing his girlfriend and stealing her mobile phone after committing the crime.
A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Timfon John, in Uyo stated that the victim, identified as Emem Monday Effanga, was found dead in her apartment under suspicious circumstance.
According to the statement, “Sometime in February 2025, the Command received a report that the deceased was found dead in her apartment under suspicious circumstances.
“Upon arrival at the scene, operatives observed visible marks of violence on her face and neck, suggesting she had been strangled and beaten to death.
“The scene was processed, evidence documented, and the body was evacuated to the hospital, where she was confirmed clinically dead by medical personnel.
“The corpse was thereafter deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”
Timfon said the matter was followed up with swift investigations as detectives traced the last person seen with the deceased to be the suspect, Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson, who had visited her residence in the morning of the suspect’s birthday.
She explained that the suspect was later tracked to a church in Uyo, where he attempted to escape upon sighting police operatives but was immediately pursued and apprehended.
According to the police spokesperson, during interrogation, the suspect confessed to visiting the victim that morning and demanded to use the victim’s phone to take pictures for his birthday celebration on social media.
She said when the victim refused, a struggle ensued, during which he overpowered, strangled her with his hands and struck her head on the floor with fist blows, leaving her unconscious before fleeing with her phone.
“One Itel Super Phone, belonging to the deceased was recovered from him at the time of arrest.
“A post-mortem examination has been conducted, and the cause of death has been officially documented by a pathologist. The suspect will be charged to court”, the PPRO stated.
The State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has assured that justice will be served and warned against all forms of domestic violence and criminal acts.
He urged the public to remain security conscious and report suspicious activities to the Police.
Christopher Tom, Uyo
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