Rivers

WAD: Commissioner Charges Communities On HIV Control …87% Rivers People Virally Suppressed

Published

2 years ago

December 8, 2023

The Rivers State Government has charged its citizenry to be advocates of HIV/AIDS control in their various localities as part of preventive measures towards eradicating the ailment by 2030.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze C. Oreh, who made the call in her World AIDS Day broadcast, recently, said this is one way to enhance the efforts of the State Government in its quest to ensure a HIV Free State.
“I urge you to be an advocate for HIV control in your various communities: know your status today; do not stigmatize infected persons; pregnant women should endeavour to register at the health facility nearest to them for antenatal care.
“Let us support Government control programmes for more control successes”, she stated.
In the WAD broadcast, the Commissioner noted that in spite of concerted global efforts aimed at checking the trend of HIV infection, the ailment has remained a source for concern, even in Rivers State, requiring more commitment in order to end its existence by 2030, noting that Rivers State is one of the identified areas with high prevalence.
“Despite the successes recorded in the control of HIV/AIDS, the disease still has global presence, making the World AIDS Day remains as relevant today as it has always been even as we mark the 35th commemoration.
“Therefore, the need to increase awareness of the impact of HIV on people’s lives, end stigma and improve the quality of life of people living with HIV cannot be over-emphasized.
“The control of the virus has remained a critical factor in ensuring a healthy population, and is indeed contributory to determining life expectancy in many countries.
“Like most cosmopolitan cities in the country, Rivers State, is among the high prevalence States for HIV infection in the country in the past two decades.
“The 2018 National AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey conducted across the country by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and Maryland University, USA, places Rivers State at 3rd position in the country with a prevalence value of 3.8 after Akwa Ibom and Benue States.
”Although, this represents a drop from the previous value of 15.2% prevalence in 2010, the large number of estimated People Living with HIVs (PLHIVs) requires humongous effort to achieve epidemic control, technically referred to as 95-95-95 targets of year 2030.
“Presently in the State, it is estimated that 95% of People Living with HIV are aware of their HIV status, 98% are on treatment and 87% are virally suppressed and are receiving treatment in about 116 health facilities across the State, inclusive of public, private as well as primary, secondary and the tertiary treatment sites as a result of the efforts to achieve epidemic control”, the Commissioner said.
This year’s theme, “Communities: Leadership to End AIDS by 2030”, she continued, “draws attention to People living or affected with HIV/AIDS and groups that are at increased risk of HIV transmission.
“We recognize that communities play important roles in the HIV response in terms of rendering services, creating demand, reaching people with services difficult to reach with formal health service, resourcing, providing leadership and changing social attitudes in order to promote equal access to care.
“We are also concerned about the persons who are yet to know their status, who are stigmatized or have suffered disabilities as a result of the epidemic”.
Consequently, she said, “the State is committed to improving the quality of lives for Persons Living with the virus by guaranteeing access to care and good quality health services comparable to international best standards.
“The State AIDS/STIs Control Programme, in conjunction with its supporting partners, have continued massive voluntary community testing campaigns across the State with innovative retention strategies for meeting the targets of HIV elimination.
“As part of on-going programs and highlights for the World AIDS day commemoration, the State AIDS & STIs Control Programme, in collaboration with its supporting partners, have already embarked on massive case finding and linkage to care of identified positives in all the Local Government Areas.
“These are clear indications of our commitment to improving access to health services for HIV, and ultimately improving patient outcome.
“Patients are receiving quality care without stigma in convenience and ambience of confidentiality, and also living happier lives as evident with the recent commissioning of the Kelsey Harrison Hospital and the Maxillofacial and Dental Hospitals in Port-Harcourt by His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS.
“We acknowledge the collaborative assistance of the United States Centre for Disease Control, the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria, UNICEF, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the media and other members of the Health Sector Control Team in the on-going control process”.
World AIDS Day, the Cmmissioner further stated, “is a day devoted to awareness creation, advocacy, and sensitization for consolidation of the on-going HIV/AIDS control programme. As usual, it brings together various stake-holders and partners who are engaged in the control of HIV epidemic worldwide”.

By: Sogbeba Dokubo

Rivers

Insecurity: Paramount Ruler Seeks Profiling Of Residents

Published

19 hours ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

A Paramount Ruler in Rivers State, Nyenweli Elele-Alimini, in Emohua Local Government Area, Eze Peter Wagbara CP (rtd.), has called for the profiling of residents in his domain in order to forestall security threats and challenges.

The Nyenweli made the call at the weekend during the Ogbakor Elele Alimini 2026 first meeting held at their Kingdom Civic Centre in Elele, Alimini.

According to him, the step would help relevant authorities to keep tabs on residents and curtail criminality in the area.

The Paramount Ruler promised indigenes and non-indigenes living and doing business in the area of adequate security of their lives and properties.

“Inspite of the negative reports about insecurity in part of the country, I want to assure the people and residents of Elele Alimini of adequate protection of their lives and properties, hence the need for water-tight security throughout the nooks and crannies of Elele Alimini.

“Following the influx of people into Rivers State, particularly Elele Alimini right now, I want to charge chiefs and landlords in our kingdom to profile their tenants, religious leaders of the various faith-based organizations and commercial transporters in our domain”, Eze Wagbara said.

The retired Commissioner of Police stated that despite the violence and banditry in parts of the country, chiefs and elders as well as leaders of thoughts within his area would work closely to ensure peaceful co-existence among residents of Elele Alimini, adding that “it is one God, one Elele Alimini, and one destiny” under his reign.

He commended members of Elele Alimini Council of Chiefs and Elders as well as the CDC Chairman and the Youth President for their contributions toward the socio-economic development of the area.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Elele Alimini Gospel Ministers Forum (EAGMF), Apostle Hope Abikari, said there were a lot of churches serving God in Elele Alimini with different doctorines and practices and stressed on the need for confidentiality in handling of religious matters and related issues in the area.

“Eze Sir, I want to inform you that there are a lot of churches at Elele Alimini today serving God. In fact, this invite to religious leaders at Elele Alimini is very crucial. There is need to arrange for a fresh private meeting with religious leaders in Elele Alimini, which should be confidential. I suggest that a committee be set up to look into the activities of churches in Elele-Alimini”, he added.

He described Eze Wagbara as a Monarch who has the interest of his subjects at heart, and lauded Eze Wagbara and his Council of Chiefs, as well as members of Ogbakor Elele Alimini for their quality leadership in the kingdom.

On his part, the Chairman of Motor Cycle Operators Union of Nigeria, Elele Alimini Branch, Comrade Obuah Emeka, said members of the union who operate within Elele Alimini and Elele Okinali would render efficient services to commuters/passengers in the area.

Comrade Emeka explained that members of the union were not involved in crimes, noting that they do not constitute nuisance to the society.

He, however, promised to co-operate with the leaders of Elele Alimini in order to ensure safety within the area.

Rivers

KENPOLY Matriculates 4,350 Students

Published

19 hours ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

The management of Kenule Beeson Saro Wiwa Polytechnic (KENOOLY), Bori, has matriculated a total of 4, 350 students into the 2025/2026 academic session.

The management said the matriculation ceremony is officially admitting students into various National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) courses in sciences, Engineering, Environmental and Management Technology, spreading in five different schools of the institution

Speaking at the event, the Acting Rector of the school, Dr. George Chile Wadike, told the matriculants that “the matriculation marks the beginning of a long and challenging, but fulfilling journey in your academic development. I implore you to be resilient, focused and dedicated to the primary reasons you are here”.

The polytechnic, Wadike said, “does not tolerate any form of indecency from students, social vices like examination malpractice, theft, cultism and other violences in any form, which attract outright expulsion.

“The Polytechnic is a place where you enjoy a lot of freedoms, but that freedom often comes with some corresponding obligations as your freedom ends where another person’s freedom begins.

“So, not only must you protect your rights, privileges and freedom, you must also ensure that you do not trample on the rights, privileges and freedom of Others.

“I, therefore, recommend that you emulate the examples of your mentors and lectures in self discipline, self care, good mode of dressing, fedelity to studies and work and general comportment so that you will not be found wanting.”

He continued that “Kenpoly is positioned to be a trailblazer in good governance, accountability and transparency within the firmament of Nigeria’s educational system.

“We have no doubt that this polytechnic is strongly positioned to solve some of the nations problems of unemployment by graduating not only self-employable youths, but also youths that are themselves employers of labour.”

He announced to the matriculants and parents that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has introduced a new intervention line with the Career Development Centers.

Wadike said the new intervention is purposely for the initiation, taking-up and continuous maintenance of Student Career Guidance.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Group Seeks Traditional Medicine Hospital Establishment In Rivers

Published

19 hours ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

A group under the aegis of the Modern Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria (MTMPN), Rivers State Branch, has called on the state government to build a designated traditional medicine hospital in the state.

They said this will enable the state government actualise full realisation of its healthcare service delivery programmes and maximize the potentials of its members in the state’s health sector.

The State Chairman of the MTMPN, Eze Stanley Munoye Ogbu, made the call after the group’s general meeting in Port Harcourt, weekend, noting that the modern traditional medicine practitioners in the state are ready to partner with the government to contribute their own quota towards the development of the health sector.

Eze Ogbu, who is a member of the Rivers state government approved Board of Traditional Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM), urged members to choose area of specialisations and not be jack of all trade, while also exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in their practice, and conducting their operations in a clean environment.

The Onye Ishi Agwuru of Okehi Kingdom in Etche Local Government Area of the state hinted that a committee has been set up by the TCAM Board to clamp down on unlicensed practitioners and use the opportunity to call on the state government to invest in traditional medicine to boost revenue and create jobs.

Also speaking, the Chairman of MTMPN, Obio/Akpor LGA Chapter, Dr. Dede Temple Owhadah, said the association is training members on modern practices in order to improve their efficiency in the treatment of patients across the state.

He called on herbal and traditional medicine practitioners in the state to get trained and be educated in their areas of specialisation to remain relevance in the practice

Owhadah warned that the taskforce will go after unlicensed practitioners after the training period and urged governments at all levels to work with the registered professionals in their domain to flush out unqualified practitioners and to tap into the profession’s human resources to improve the healthcare delivery system in the state.

He stressed that members of the group are celebrated researchers who have manufactured certified drugs as cures for various diseases and ailments.

“What we are doing is that we are training and educating our members to improve on their proficiency and modern practices they desire to operate with. After this, we are going to come after those unqualified practitioners and clampdown on them across the entire state.

“Whether you are selling herbal medicine in the street, bone setters, or using any form of herbs and alternative medicine to treat people, we are going to shut such areas down without any recognised government approval at the end of the training session”, he stated

On her own. Dr. Gorgeous Chinyere Adichie commended the group for the education and training of their members to update them with the needed professional experience in the practice.

By: Akujobi Amadi