Niger Delta
Coordinator Wants Deltans To Embrace Free Health Services
The people of Delta State have been called upon to key into the state government’s 2011 Free Rural Health Programme in the state.
The field coordinator of the scheme, Dr. Ojodume Okugini made the call in Olomoro, one of the centres in Isoko South Local Government Area.
Assessing the programme since its flag-off, Dr Okugini confirmed that the response had been tremendous because of the awareness campaign on the programme.
Dr Okugini while emphasising the absolutely free nature of the scheme since its inception encouraged the sick and needy who before now could not access health services to come out in their numbers and benefit.
At Olomoro and Idheze centres both in Isoko South, over 300 patients were registered with some diagnosed with surgical cases and referred to the Oleh Central Hospital for surgeries, while milder cases were treated at all the centres by the medical teams.
Children below one year of age were also immunised against the 8 deadly diseases at the immunisation units at both the Olomoro and Idheze centres.
At the Oleh Central Hospital, consultant of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the zonal medical director, Isoko zone, Dr Omoghene Agadas revealed that the Central Hospital would handle surgical cases.
He listed Hernia, Fibroid, Hydrocele, Ophtalmic and Dental as some of the surgical cases the hospital would handle.
Meanwhile, siblings Joyce and Nicholas Ekrika from Bomadi town and an eighty year old mama, Ekuefebe Akporu from Oviore, Ethiope East had their cataract surgery done at the Central Hospital, Oleh.
The beneficiaries expressed their appreciation to the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan for the free health stride.
Meanwhile, great celebrations were exhibited as one Mrs. Okpoto with total blindness and several others regained their sight as the free rural health programme progresses.
A team of Ophthalmologists who made this a reality at the Central Hospital, Warri confirmed the case of Mrs. Okpoto and others as Cataract.
Mrs. Mary Okpoto from Otor- Iyede in Isoko North revealed that she was completely blind for well over two years.
In a mood of ecstasy, she expressed great thanks to the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, for the free health care, pointing out that it is one of his many ways of achieving the human capital development goal.
Similarly, Mr. Philip Oviro- Oke from Okpe and Mrs. Victoria Jesse both had their over two years cataract cases successfully operated.
The daughter- in law of Mama Charity Jesse urged private individuals and groups to emulate the scheme.
Also at the Ekete and Oghjor centres both in Udu Local Government Area, the Medical Teams were on ground performing their routine duties of referring surgical cases after laboratory tests and treating medical illnesses.
Mrs. Grace Igho, a seventy- five year old woman from Iyede in Isoko South and a seventeen year old Stella Omowho from Onwvia both had their severely aching teeth extracted at the Ekete centre.
A forty- four year old Mrs. Felicia Omadide from Orerokpe suffering from Kelloids which she said started as chicken pox was referred to Warri central hospital for surgical attention.
The free rural health scheme, an interventionist health programme by Delta State Government continues till January 21, 2012 as it is designed to cover one hundred communities in the 25 Local Government Areas of the states.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.