Rivers
Commissioner Seeks Improved Collaboration For Women’s Development
The Rivers State Government has called for collaboration among Civil Society Organisations, corporate bodies, non-governmental organisations and well-meaning individuals, with government, to support women and the vulnerable in the society.
Commissioner for women Affairs in the State, Dr. Roseline Uranta, made the call, weekend, in Port Harcourt at a national conference and women empowerment programme, organised by the Rivers State Chapter of Southern Women Empowerment Forum (SWEF).
Dr. Uranta stressed the need for improved collaboration with development partners in women empowerment, saying the job should not be left for government alone to handle.
She noted that government has demonstrated strong political will and commitment in formulating policies and guidelines to act as the needed framework to achieve the goal of improving the lot of women and the vulnerable.
She, therefore, called for “greater support from development partners to foster stronger synergy with government to alleviate the suffering of women and the vulnerable in the state”.
The Commissioner commended the SWEF on the bold initiative to empower over a 100 indigent women in the state, with agricultural produce and grinding machines, describing the gesture as commendable, while urging them not to relent but to continue in the good work, assuring on government’s continued support for such programmes.
On her part, National President of the SWEF, Dr. Helen Taiwo Adebakin, stated that the NGO is focused on resource development at multiple levels.
Such lebels imclude delivering access to education and skills training, providing access to financial resources, such as micro loans and cooperative funding, as well as improved health and social services, which, she said, would ensure that rural women can contribute meaningfully without the burden of preventable diseases.
The SWEF National President further urged the NGO’s matrons and patrons to use their positions to advocate for policies that promote gender equality and resource allocation for rural development.
“Leverage your networks to create opportunities for rural women in Rivers State and beyond”, Adebakin urged, adding that the empowerment of rural women is not just a humanitarian effort, but “an investment in the future of communities within the nation”.
The State Chairperson of SWEF, Lady Adaure Odu, on her part, disclosed that about 10 indigent women were being empowered with multi purpose grinding machines while over 100 would be given agricultural produce to assist them economically.
Lady Odu pledged the unwaivering support and commitment of the NGO to the cause of women, expressing optimism that with the right steps taken, a more just and equitable society will be achieved where women will thrive.
One of the beneficiaries of the women empowerment programme, Mrs. Josephine Woke, who hails from Obio Akpor, commended the organisers of the empowerment programme and gave assurance of using proceeds from the grinding machine that she received free of charge to empower other indigent persons around her immediate environment.
Highpoint of the occasion was an award of appreciation to the Hon. Commissioner for women Affairs for her contributions to the cause of women and the vulnerable in the state, and presentation of grinding machines and agricultural seedlings to some indigent women.
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The Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board (RSPHCMB) says it will commence Supplemental Immunization activities on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to vaccinate children from 0-5 years across the State.
The State Health Educator, Dr. Diana Babbo, who stated this during a sensitisation meeting with Media Advocate for Health, Rivers State, on the update of immunization exercise in Rivers State, said the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) is a re-enforcement of the routine immunization at the health facilities.
According to her, it is aimed at boosting polio immunisation against the circulating variance of polio virus currently threatening the total eradication of polio in the country.
She further stated that there are four pillars of polio eradication, namely routine immunization (administered on babies in the health centre), supplemental immunization activity (supplements to boost the babies), surveillance (searching for children that have weakness in their legs or some oart of their bodies), and outbreak response.
The Health Educator noted that the Novel Oral Polio Vaccination Type 2 (NOPV 2) will be administered to children under the age of 0-5 years, which targets a specific polio still in existence in communities and capable of causing paralysis among the stated categories of children, despite the country being certified a polio-free nation.
Dr. Babbo further stated that this year’s NIPDs will address the high number of unresolved non-compliance cases in the State.
She debunked what she tagged a false rumour by mischief makers which claimed that the vaccines are responsible for the development of autism in children.
She said, “vaccines are not known to be responsible for the development of autism. We’re just hearing that. The truth is that one cannot know everything.
“That aspect that has been found, have we looked into other aspects, such as genetically modified foods, drinks, and milks that our children are taking?
“Have we also looked at genetic compatibility between couples before we now say vaccines are causing x, y, z things?
“Are we looking at the environment where these things are happening, what they are peculiar to?
“It must not be peculiar to all the families, there could be something also that’s happening around that we have not known. Research is evolving, let us not accuse our precious vaccines that have succeeded so far in my knowledge, to keep as many sicknesses at bay.
“The reason we do not have small pox in our world today, apart from the lab (a bio-lab) is because we vaccinated to the point where we were able to move small pox totally out of existence from human beings. We can succeed with that same pattern with all kinds of viruses”.
She stated that the connection between autism and vaccination could merely be coincidence.
Babbo, therefore, urged all parents, churches, and school owners to avail their children/wards the opportunity to be vaccinated against polio the stated exercise.
Sogbeba Dokubo
Engr Obi Fortune, a renowned philanthropist, has donated 80 desks to four secondary schools in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The donation is part of his commitment to advancing education in the area.
The schools that benefited from the gesture includes- Community Secondary School Umuoye.
Community Secondary School Akwa- Government Secondary School Ozuzu and Community Primary School Okehi 2 and all the schools got 20 units each of the desks.
Speaking during the brief handing-over ceremony held recently in okehi recently, Engr Obi stated that the donation fulfills his promise to use proceeds from his book sales to procure desks for schools in the LGA.
He disclosed that more desks will arrive soon and expressed his continued commitment to supporting education in the area.
Obi urged the schools to make good use of the desks and called on other individuals to contribute to the educational needs in the area.
This gesture demonstrates Engr Obi’s dedication to improving education in Etche LGA.
A professor of social and political philosophy at Rivers State University (RSU ) Nkpolu Oroworukwu port Harcourt, Prof Agha Eresia _Eke has emphasized that citizenship participation is crucial for achieving true democratic government. He stressed that citizens’ involvement in exercising their basic rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, is essential for a democratic institution to thrive.
Eresia _Eke stated this while presenting his inaugural lecture at the 111 university’s inaugural lecture series with the topic “Nigeria Democratic practices:a contextual paradox”held at the university senate auditorium in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
According to him, core democratic values which include:,- Respect for individual rights and freedoms, Protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, Equality before the law, Freedom of speech, assembly, and association, Protection of privacy and personal autonomy.
“Through out history, the problem that has agitated social and political philosophers has been to work _out a model for the realization of the common good of man.
Man has always sought and developed methods and systems of organising himself according to his true nature as a rational being.”he stated.
Eresia-Eke notes that Nigeria is not practicing a true federalism and highlights the importance of a pragmatic approach to democracy, where ideas and solutions are tested and refined in real-world environments.
He emphasized that citizens must hold their leaders accountable and demand respect for human rights, stressing that by doing so, citizens can undertake their civic obligations and responsibilities, strengthening society as a whole.
Earlier in his address, the Vice chancellor of the university, Prof Zeb _Obipi commended the lecturer for his brilliant performance, adding that he has justified and proven that he is a professor in his area of specialization.
The VC averred that the university has been consistent in the inaugural lecture monthly and assured that his administration will continue to continue to keep the trend.