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Group Takes Campaign Against HPV To Trans Amadi
A Niger Delta-based non-governmental organisation, Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative, has described cervical cancer as one of the most deadliest diseases in the world.
The group said this at a road show at the Trans Amadi Area of Port Harcourt ahead of the roll out of HPV vaccine by the Rivers State Government today.
Executive Director of the organisation, Mrs Loretta Ahuokpeme said the walk was to sensitise the people on the dangers of contacting Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which causes cervical cancer in women.
Ahuokpeme said Human papillomavirus (HPV) is normally contracted through sexual intercourse.
According to her, “This campaign started one month ago, HPV causes cervical cancer on a woman when it contracted through sexual intercourse and that is the only way you get HPV
“So we are saying that people should know about this, that cervical cancer is dangerous,” she said.
While blaming lack of awareness for the continous spread of the diesease, she said that it was against this background that the group has stepped up its campaign with a view to teaching out to teenagers between the ages of 8 and 14 on the dangers of contacting Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which causes cervical cancer.
“According to her, the group has been moving around neighborhood schools and communities telling people about the virus.
“ The campaign is to inform young ladies between the ages of 9 and 14 of the dangers involved in contracting Human Papillomavirius which causes the cervical cancer,” he said.
” The disease which is contracted through sexual intercourse has caused the death of many young women in the society”.
“ It is contacted through sexual intercourse and that is the only way you get HPV, so we are saying that people should know that cervical cancer is dangerous,
“it kills women, a lot of women dies because of it”. Ahuokpeme called on Rivers people to participate actively as the state government rolls out the vaccine on Monday.
“The immunization program is starting from next week and the flag off is Rivers state Primary Health Care Management Board
. She also said that as the vaccine comes in, it will extend to other people both boys and girls.
Speaking on the symptoms of the disease, Ahuokpeme said that the symptoms may not be visible ,adding that this underscores the reason why people should go for regular screening.
She said that the vaccine is very expensive in private hospitals but Federal Government has made it necessary that health care centres should have it.
“Now Federal Government has made it necessary that the Primary Health Care and Ministry of Health should have it because there have been so many advocacies around that”.
“For now it’s only Medical women Association of Nigeria (MWN) that are holding the screening but with time others like; UPTH, BMH ewill join”.
She said that the location of the screening will be at marine base as there is a center stationed there
. She encouraged women to form groups as it will be easier to reach out to them so they can be moved to the center.
Ahuokpeme advised young women to stay away from sex or if you must, please keep one partner and it is better you use protection.
“ We should all zip up because multiple sexual partners doesn’t help” she said.
The Focal person for HPV vaccine Amaclare connect and Development Initiative Igwe Doris said the HPV vaccine uptake in Rivers state is coming up on the 27th of May 2024 and it will be free to all young girls ranging from ages 9 to 14.
“ The record of cervical cancer killing people is more than 8,000 every year. based on that, Federal Government in conjunction with the CDL and AVAC has brought down this cervical cancer”
She stated that this is the second phase in Nigeria and Rivers state is lucky to be part of it, adding that Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative has reached out to more than 10,000 young girls and 20,000 families.
John Bibor
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.