News
Banigo Condoles UNIPORT Over Student’s Death …UPTH To Probe Incident
Deputy Governor of the Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has condoled with the Management and Students of the University of Port Harcourt for the untimely demise of a 200 level Theater Arts Female Student, Miss Kelechi Precious.
Dr. Banigo who was reacting to the unfortunate incident and circumstances surrounding the death of the female student, described it as a wakeup call on Hospital Authorities, Nurses and Doctors in both public and private sectors to be alive to their responsibilities to patients.
The Deputy Governor noted with sadness that such an incident happened at a time when there have been repeated calls by the Governor Wike-Led Government for Medical Practitioners to always show compassion in their Profession.
Dr. Banigo prayed God to grant the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss while calling on the Students to remain calm and desist from taking laws into their hands.
She also called on the Federal Government and the Authority of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of the student to prevent future occurrences.
Meanwhile, the management of the University of Port Harcourt teaching Hospital (UPTH) has said that the circumstances that led to the death of a female student of the University of Port Harcourt, Miss Kelechi Promise would be properly investigated.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UPTH, Prof. Aaron Ojule, who disclosed this during a chat with newsmen, said the management has met with relevant stakeholders to examine the cause of the unfortunate incident.
Ojule said the incident had generated great public interest with wild allegations against the Hospital over the death, but assured that any staff found culpable as alleged will face full punitive measures in line with extent civil service rules and professional code of ethics.
The CMD, who commiserated with the family of the deceased and the authorities of the University of Port Harcourt, called for restraint from all parties on the issue until the exact facts surrounding the incident are unraveled to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.
The CMD, also stated that the hospital, which was established to carry out tertiary medical functions, is presently over-subscribed, and now carry out secondary medical functions with overwhelming challenges of attending to about 700 to 1000 patients daily.
He, therefore, called on the government to establish more medical centres and facilities to cater for the teeming health needs of the people.
Meanwhile, workers of the hospital have abandoned their duty posts over threats to their lives following violent protests by the students and disturbances that trailed the death of the Uniport student.
According to the CMD, “This has resulted in added suffering of innocent patients in our wards”.
He appealed to the students to stop further threat to the lives and property of UPTH staff, “to avoid complete shutdown of the hospital, which could lead to further sufferings on the part of those who patronize our services”.
He also called on staff of the hospital to return to their duty posts and resume normal duties immediately in the interest of the patients as the security situation has returned to normal.
While reassuring the commitment of the hospital toward improved health care delivery services to the public, the CMD said the management will carry out a proper assessment and evaluation of the extent of damage incurred during the protest.
It would be recalled that students of the University of Port Harcourt had Monday embarked on a protest, damaging some facilities, of the hospital to register their discontent over the death of their female colleague.
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.