Niger Delta

A’Ibom Commits To Educational Advancement

Published

1 year ago

November 17, 2023

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has stated that his government will continue to prioritise investment in educational development.
The Governor gave the assurance at the combined convocation ceremonies of the University of Uyo, at the TETFund Auditorium, Main Campus of the university.
He noted that education is one of the pillars of the ARISE Agenda, and that government is investing in education beginning from the foundation to tertiary.
Eno, an alumnus of the University of Uyo and a Ph.D candidate, stated that as part of his administration’s commitment to actualise the educational advancement component of the ARISE Agenda, the state government will continue to support UNIUYO to enhance its pursuit of academic excellence, expressing hope that products of the institution will continue to contribute to the development of the State and society in general.
The Governor congratulated the university on its successful combined convocation and felicitated with the 14,866 graduating students of the university, and those conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degrees.
He also expressed the gratitude of the government and people of the State to the Chief Visitor of the university, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the university’s Chancellor, Emir of Hadejia; Chairman, Jigawa State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Abubakar Adamu Maje; Vice Chancellor, Professor Nyaudo Ndaeyo; Senate and Management of the University of Uyo, for their contributions to the advancement of education in the State through the university.
Eno commended the strides recorded by Professor Ndaeyo since his assumption of office as Vice Chancellor, especially for successfully hosting the combined convocation to formally celebrate the graduation of the 26th, 27th and current 28th sets who were caught in the web of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the institution’s academic calendar.
“I commend you on the successful hosting of this joint convocation. Let me particularly pay special tribute to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, on his strides since assumption of office. You’re not just a pacesetter, but a shinning and worthy ambassador of all of us, and as the saying goes, a good job done means more jobs to be done. We know and trust that you will excel.
“Our administration will continue to work with the University of Uyo and indeed all other universities and tertiary institutions in the State.
“We will support them, because education is one of the pillars of our ARISE Agenda and we’ll continue to demonstrate good faith working with you and supporting you as much as possible,” the Governor assured.
On his part, the Chancellor of the university, Alhaji Abubakar Adamu Maje, CON, also felicitated with the graduands and charged them not to see their academic attainment as an end, but a means to an end, and challenged them to think out of the box of white collar jobs and launch themselves into the present world of innovation, resourcefulness and creativity.
The Jigawa Royal Father congratulated Governor Eno on his emergence as Governor of the State, while calling for stronger collaborations between the Federal and State Governments to advance education as a catalyst for the needed development of Nigeria.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ndaeyo, expressed gratitude to the Visitor, Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Eno, and other Governors for their support and goodwill towards the school and its graduands.
Professor Ndaeyo said the University of Uyo was proud of having Eno as its first alumnus to be a Governor of the state, and for his leadership disposition and gains recorded for the the state and the institution.

By: Christopher Tom, Uyo

Niger Delta

NACA Debunks Fake HIV Drug Pricing News

Published

2 days ago

March 12, 2025

The Tide

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has debunked what it called “fake news” circulating online regarding the cost of HIV treatment in Nigeria.

The news was that antiretroviral drugs will now cost 250,000 per dose with patients required to pay 500,000 monthly.

Describing the news as “completely false and misleading”, in a statement signed by the Head, Public Relations and Protocol, NACA said “HIV treatment in Nigeria remains free of charge at Government owned health facilities.

“The Government in collaboration with donor partners remains steadfast in providing free and accessible HIV treatment to all who need it.

“For accurate and up to date information on HIV treatment and prevention in Nigeria, follow our verified social media platforms and visit the official NACA website’.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Niger Delta

RSG, MWAN Strengthen Partnership To Improve Healthcare

Published

2 days ago

March 12, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government, through the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, has indicated its preparedness to partner the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) in ensuring that the healthcare needs of vulnerable people in the State are met.

The State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr. Ilamu Arugu, who made this known when the leadership of MWAN, Rivers State Branch, visited him in his office in Port Harcourt, reiterated the State government’s commitment to improving the healthcare and wellbeing of vulnerable populations in the state.

While commending MWAN for their efforts in promoting healthcare and advocating for the rights of women and children in the state, Arugu expressed his ministry’s willingness to collaborate with the association in addressing the healthcare challenges facing residents in the state government-owned healthcare facilities.

“I want to thank you for appreciating our efforts. It’s not easy for people to recognize the humanitarian work we do, as we don’t seek laurels or rewards. We simply do what we believe is right,” the Commissioner stated”.

Earlier in her remarks, the state’s MWAN President, Dr. Cecilia Leloonu Nwibubasa, commended the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for appointing Mr. Ilamu Arugu as Commissioner, praising his outstanding achievements in the ministry.

She highlighted his unwavering commitment to effective, accountable, and participatory governance, particularly his focus on citizens’ welfare through responsive and inclusive policies, which, she said, serves as an inspiration to all.

Dr, Nwibubasa, who is the 19th President of the association in the state, noted that the organization is dedicated to advancing women and children’s health, with a focus on mental health, nutrition, and holistic mentorship for young female doctors, among others.

She stated that the association has remained at the forefront of community health initiatives, offering health services, medical outreaches, such as cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings, cancer treatment, maternal health care, support and extensive health education through various media channels.

Nwibubasa further revealed that the Association, a non-profit organization affiliated to the Medical Women’s International Association and the Nigerian Medical Association, was established in 1976 and incorporated in 1984.

The association’s motto, “Matris Animo Curantis,” meaning “healing with the love of a mother”, she explained, reflects its deep commitment to delivering compassionate healthcare.

The MWAM President noted that their visit was “driven by a deep sense of appreciation” for the commissioner’s leadership, which has been particularly impactful in areas aligning closely with the association’s mission.

This, according to her, includes ensuring safe homes, quality healthcare, education, and economic empowerment for women.

She emphasized the organization’s eagerness to explore collaborative opportunities to strengthen their shared objectives.

The MWAN delegation also presented the commissioner with a proposal outlining areas of potential collaboration, including healthcare services, training, and advocacy programmes.

The courtesy visit, which was attended by the ministry’s management team, ended with a commitment from both parties to work together to improve the healthcare and wellbeing of women and children within the Disabilitiy community in Rivers State.

Niger Delta

HoSF Delighted Over New Secretariat Project In Bayelsa … As Diri Promises Timely Completion

Published

2 days ago

March 12, 2025

The Tide

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, has expressed delight over the construction of a new nine-storey civil servants secretariat by the Bayelsa State government.

She said when completed, the iconic structure would go down in her memory as an exciting legacy of the Governor Douye Diri’s administration.

Mrs. Walson-Jack stated this when she performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the project in Yenagoa.

According to her, the event was a special, significant milestone to her as she had served in the Bayelsa public service and felt a sense of nostalgia to witness the historic foundation-laying ceremony.

“The civil service is the engine of government, providing the expertise, structure necessary for effective governance. A well-motivated and efficient civil service requires capable personnel, robust policies and an enabling work environment that clusters professionalism, collaboration and innovation”, she said.

The HoSF stressed that the project was a testament to the state government’s commitment to strengthening the institutional framework that underpins governance and service delivery.

“This new state secretariat is a commendable effort to provide public servants with a con ducive workplace environment. I applaud the Bayelsa State government for its dedication to infrastructure development.

“This project aligns with the broader vision of strengthening the Nigerian civil service at both the state and federal levels to deliver people-centred governance”, she noted.

In his remarks, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, said the workers’ complex would be an electronic secretariat, noting that the cost of the project was N46 billion.

He stated that government had already mobilised the contractors with 30% of the project sum and had directed the release of another 20% as soon as it commenced work on site.

Diri, who assured that funding of the project will not be a problem, said the timeline for delivery was 24 months and charged the state workers to reciprocate government’s support for their welfare and wellbeing.

“What propelled me to build a new secretariat was the civil servants’ request for office accommodation, which became a recurring decimal every Workers’ Day in the state”, Governor Diri said.

He expressed delight that with the construction of the new secretariat, labour unions would no longer complain of inadequate office space.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, also stated that the project was conceived and initiated by the Diri administration and that the structure will provide a conducive and befitting communal space for the workforce.

He listed some of the features in the proposed structure to include modern eco-friendly green solutions that would support key functional needs of the state and that it would have a footprint of 3,675.633 square metres within a proposed gross area of 26,762.99 square metres with parking space for 155 cars.

Speaking on behalf of the project contractor, the Operations Director of Megastar Technical and Construction Company Ltd, Mr. Carlos Zanone, said the edifice will be equipped with a solar power-backed system, conference halls, a six-bed sick bay, a crèche to support working families among other features.

He added that the facility will be built to morden standard and finished with high quality materials that will improve and beautify the surrounding area.

Mr. Zanone assured that the 24 months completion time-frame was achievable.

In her remarks, the State Head of Service, Mrs. Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema, expressed appreciation to Governor Diri, noting that the edifice will be a dream come true for all civil servants in the state.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa