Rivers

WAD: Commissioner Charges Communities On HIV Control …87% Rivers People Virally Suppressed

Published

2 years ago

December 8, 2023

The Rivers State Government has charged its citizenry to be advocates of HIV/AIDS control in their various localities as part of preventive measures towards eradicating the ailment by 2030.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze C. Oreh, who made the call in her World AIDS Day broadcast, recently, said this is one way to enhance the efforts of the State Government in its quest to ensure a HIV Free State.
“I urge you to be an advocate for HIV control in your various communities: know your status today; do not stigmatize infected persons; pregnant women should endeavour to register at the health facility nearest to them for antenatal care.
“Let us support Government control programmes for more control successes”, she stated.
In the WAD broadcast, the Commissioner noted that in spite of concerted global efforts aimed at checking the trend of HIV infection, the ailment has remained a source for concern, even in Rivers State, requiring more commitment in order to end its existence by 2030, noting that Rivers State is one of the identified areas with high prevalence.
“Despite the successes recorded in the control of HIV/AIDS, the disease still has global presence, making the World AIDS Day remains as relevant today as it has always been even as we mark the 35th commemoration.
“Therefore, the need to increase awareness of the impact of HIV on people’s lives, end stigma and improve the quality of life of people living with HIV cannot be over-emphasized.
“The control of the virus has remained a critical factor in ensuring a healthy population, and is indeed contributory to determining life expectancy in many countries.
“Like most cosmopolitan cities in the country, Rivers State, is among the high prevalence States for HIV infection in the country in the past two decades.
“The 2018 National AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey conducted across the country by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and Maryland University, USA, places Rivers State at 3rd position in the country with a prevalence value of 3.8 after Akwa Ibom and Benue States.
”Although, this represents a drop from the previous value of 15.2% prevalence in 2010, the large number of estimated People Living with HIVs (PLHIVs) requires humongous effort to achieve epidemic control, technically referred to as 95-95-95 targets of year 2030.
“Presently in the State, it is estimated that 95% of People Living with HIV are aware of their HIV status, 98% are on treatment and 87% are virally suppressed and are receiving treatment in about 116 health facilities across the State, inclusive of public, private as well as primary, secondary and the tertiary treatment sites as a result of the efforts to achieve epidemic control”, the Commissioner said.
This year’s theme, “Communities: Leadership to End AIDS by 2030”, she continued, “draws attention to People living or affected with HIV/AIDS and groups that are at increased risk of HIV transmission.
“We recognize that communities play important roles in the HIV response in terms of rendering services, creating demand, reaching people with services difficult to reach with formal health service, resourcing, providing leadership and changing social attitudes in order to promote equal access to care.
“We are also concerned about the persons who are yet to know their status, who are stigmatized or have suffered disabilities as a result of the epidemic”.
Consequently, she said, “the State is committed to improving the quality of lives for Persons Living with the virus by guaranteeing access to care and good quality health services comparable to international best standards.
“The State AIDS/STIs Control Programme, in conjunction with its supporting partners, have continued massive voluntary community testing campaigns across the State with innovative retention strategies for meeting the targets of HIV elimination.
“As part of on-going programs and highlights for the World AIDS day commemoration, the State AIDS & STIs Control Programme, in collaboration with its supporting partners, have already embarked on massive case finding and linkage to care of identified positives in all the Local Government Areas.
“These are clear indications of our commitment to improving access to health services for HIV, and ultimately improving patient outcome.
“Patients are receiving quality care without stigma in convenience and ambience of confidentiality, and also living happier lives as evident with the recent commissioning of the Kelsey Harrison Hospital and the Maxillofacial and Dental Hospitals in Port-Harcourt by His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS.
“We acknowledge the collaborative assistance of the United States Centre for Disease Control, the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria, UNICEF, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the media and other members of the Health Sector Control Team in the on-going control process”.
World AIDS Day, the Cmmissioner further stated, “is a day devoted to awareness creation, advocacy, and sensitization for consolidation of the on-going HIV/AIDS control programme. As usual, it brings together various stake-holders and partners who are engaged in the control of HIV epidemic worldwide”.

By: Sogbeba Dokubo

Rivers

Don, Stakeholders Urge Environmental Laws In N’Delta

Published

31 minutes ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

A lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Ibibia Worika, has called for stronger implementation of legal and policy frameworks to address the conflicts and environmental challenges facing the Niger Delta region.

Worika, who is the Director of the University’s Centre for Advanced Law Research, Faculty of Law, made the call during a stakeholders’ workshop held in Port Harcourt, with the theme, “Building Peace in the Fire.”

Worika, a Professor of Comparative Petroleum and International Environmental Law and Policy at the University of Port Harcourt, said the workshop was aimed at promoting dialogue to enhance the utilisation of legal and policy provisions.

He explained that such provisions were designed to combat extractive industry-related conflicts in the Niger Delta region.

In his paper titled “Addressing the Challenges of Hydrocarbon Mining and Related Conflicts: Towards Promoting Rights-Based Actions for Combating Climate Change in Rivers State”, he noted that pollution and environmental degradation in the region were widespread and well documented.

According to him, deliberations at the workshop focused on Nigeria and international legal frameworks that support oil extraction, while safeguarding environmental responsibilities and human rights.

Worika explained that although Nigeria’s Constitution did not expressly provide for enforceable environmental rights, the domesticated African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights contained provisions on environmental rights that courts could enforce when necessary.

He urged multinational oil companies operating in the region to comply with established international norms, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

“These companies are largely from OECD member countries. They should internalise biodiversity safety measures and other international standards in their operations in the Niger Delta,” Worika said.

The Professor also urged the Federal Government to establish an environmental remediation trust fund for the Niger Delta, similar to the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project set up for Ogoniland.

He noted that while one billion dollars had been earmarked over 25 to 30 years for the Ogoni clean-up, other parts of the region suffering similar environmental damage required comparable intervention.

Worika further called for the effective implementation of the Host Community Development Trust provisions under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), with minimal political interference and equitable representation of host communities.

He emphasised transparency and accountability in managing the trusts, adding that communities should be fully informed about membership criteria and project implementation processes.

On the remediation of Ogoniland oil pollution, Worika advocated for greater community engagement and inclusiveness in project planning and implementation.

“I would like to see greater community engagement, especially in cases where agencies decide how and where to intervene without adequate consultation with those affected. That is certainly not a good approach”, Worika said.

He stressed that communities most impacted by environmental degradation should be included at the planning and design stages and integrated into the project implementation process.

According to him, while technical aspects may require specialised expertise, local residents can handle less technical tasks such as sand removal and soil excavation, thereby enhancing ownership and empowerment.

Similarly, the President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Mr. Olu-Andah Wai-Ogosu, attributed rising youth restiveness and communal conflicts in Ogoni communities to poor mentorship and leadership failures.

“Our youths today are so much in a hurry. They don’t take time to understand issues before taking sides. They are easily swayed by short-term benefits and often fall prey to politicians”, he said.

He added that the crisis in traditional and political leadership had contributed to conflicts in the area.

Wai-Ogosu used the opportunity to urge parents and community leaders to instil discipline and moral values in young people to promote sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta.

The workshop was organised by the Habitat Protection and Sustainabley Development Initiative, in collaboration with the Centre for Advanced Law Research, Rivers State University.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

KENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare

Published

33 minutes ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The newly appointed Rector of Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori (KENPOLY), Dr. George Chile Wadike, has said he would prioritize the welfare of students by improving the learning environment.

Dr. Wadike, who disclosed this to The Tide during an interview in his office, said his administration would reduce acts of social vices in the Polytechnic and make it more learning friendly.

“We want to ensure that the school environment is more peaceful and friendly to all.

“We also want to curtail the act of social vices, especially cultism experienced in the Polytechnic”, he state.

According to him, under his watch as Rector, he would ensure zero tolerance for social vices on campus.

On the infrastructures, the Rector said his administration would improve in the existing infrastructures in the school to enhance adequate learning.

He also said his administration shall improve electricity supply on campus to enable students read their books and better their academic performance

Kenpoly, Wadike said, would compete globally with its counterparts in all fields of learning.

“I promise to sow the seed of hard work, learning and teaching amongst others in the Polytechnic as a Rector.

“We shall also improve the Polytechnic by working with its Alumni and improve students welfare. That is why we are really here”, he said.

He assured on protection for students of the school in their academic pursuit and urged them to take their academics seriously.

On cultism and other social vices, Dr. Wadike said his administration shall partner with security agencies and the host community to eradicate acts of cultism in the institution

He also appealed to the students to embrace peace and take their academics seriously, rather than indulging in acts that will be inimical to their life.

The Rector further promised to build a cordial working relationship with the host and neighbouring communities, noting that such relationships shall improve the activities of the Polytechnic.

Dr. Wadike, an Accountant, who promised to reposition the image of the Polytechnic globally, said the activities of the Polytechnic would be publicised to the international communities to earn more credibility.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Lulu-Briggs Commends Tinubu On State Police, Peace In Rivers

Published

34 minutes ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

A former Accord Party Governorship candidate in Rivers State, Chief Dumu Lulu-Briggs, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinibu for his “pragmatic support” for State Police in Nigeria.

Lulu-Briggs lauded the President on Friday during an exclusive chat with Journalists at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, in Rivers State.

According to him, State Police will help in reducing criminal activities across the country, saying that the security of life and properities is essential and it is a collective responsibility.

The former Governorship candidate called on governments at all levels to support the State Police in order to make the society crime-free.

He said the State Police would not only reduce crime, but will also boost employments across the country.

Lulu-Briggs also used the medium to applaud President Tinibu for intervening in the face-off between the Executive and Legislative arms of Government in Rivers State.

He expressed happiness that peace has returned to the state, noting that the fued between the two organs of the governments has delayed the speed of developments in the state.

The two-time governorship candidate also expressed optimism that the peace accord will give more rooms for development and also create a better atmosphere for empowerment of the youths and Women.

“Now that peace has returned in the state, there is need to queue behind the peace to be sustained for the overall interest and betterment of all in the State..

“On the political tussle in the state, I thank President Tinibu on the recent reconciliation. Now that the problem has been settled by the aggressive parties, it is the responsibility of the people to embrace peace and work towards the growth of the state and continuous sustainability of developments in the state”, he said.

On 2027 election, the Kalabari-born politician said politics is not a do-or-die affair, and advised both the public and politicians to play politics in accordance with the rules.

“To me, politics is not a do-or-die affair, whoever that wins election is still our brother or sister, the important thing is that let them do the needful, they should develop the area and the people.

“The problem we are having in Nigerian politics is that some of our politicians in positions of trust sometimes abuse the opportunities given to them”, he said.

By: Enoch Epelle