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UNICEF Backs South-South States On Budgetary Allocations For Children

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The United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) has restated its commitment to support state governments in the South-South zone in their efforts to improve the lot of children.
UNICEF’s Chief Field, Port Harcourt Dr. Anselm Audu, said this in an address at the South-South Zonal policy Dialogue on social Budgeting for children in Port Harcourt.
Audu said said the organisation is ready to support Governments in its efforts to improve the lot of children and women.
“UNICEF stands ready to support you in these effects. We are committed to providing the technical assistance, data-driven insights and evidence based recommendations that can help translate policies into tangible outcome for children”, he stated.
Audu said UNICEF believes that by strong partnerships with Governments, stakeholders, civil societies, and other relevant actors sustainable change can be created in the society.
He stressed the need for the participants, drawn from the South-South states, to think beyond traditional paradigm and inspire each other with creative solution as children’s future depends on the decision they take.
The Chief Field Office said the dialogue offers a unique platform for sharing experiences, best practices and innovative strategies aimed at enhancing the budgetary framework.
“It is and opportunity to reflect on our achievements, examine our challenges, and collectively chart a way that ensures every naira spent is wielded to the greatest possible effect for children”, he said.
In his presentation entitled, “Social Budgeting And Fiscal Space In South South States, Evidence Challenges And Prospect For Improvement”, Dr. Mohammed Okorie, Social Policy Manager, UNICEF, said some states in Nigeria are poor in terms of basic needs of life.
Okorie also linked poor budgetting to poverty and urged states in the zone to always include the need of children in their annual budgets.
He said public investment should be increased in some essential sectors, especially in health and education, as these sectors directly affect boys and girls.
Okorie also stressed the need for policy makers in the zone to be gender sensitive, especially as it concerns women, noting that there must be increased participation of women in decision-making in the zone.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Commissioner for Budget And Economic Planning, Dr. Peter Mede, said the State Government has over the years increased its spending on health care and education for children.
Mede said currently the government has ensured that both primary and secondary schools are free in the state, while the government also paid WAEC fees for all children in public schools in the state.
On her part, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, said Government is determined to ensure maximum performance of the health sector in the state.
Oreh said the government is currently embarking on the completion of some abandoned zonal hospitals in the state
She specifically said the abandoned Zonal General Hospitals at Bori, Omoku, Degema, Ahoada, and the Bonny are currently receiving attention from the State Government, while work will start on the Okehi Zonal Hospital next year.
Oreh said General Hospitals will receive attention from the State Government next year.
The Commissioner also said ban on the promotion of health workers that has remain for years has been lifted, while the Board of the state contributory health insurance has been inaugurated by the Governor and the programme has commenced.
She said health training institutions in the state have also been equipped.
In his presentation, Dr. Olusoji Akinloye, Chief of UNICEF Field Office, commended the effort of the Cross River State Government in the provisions of basic needs to children.
He said Cross River State has done well in all ramifications and urged other states in the zone to follow suit.

John Bibor

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Crisis Looms In Emohua Over Land Grabbing Allegation On Awuse

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There are palpable indications that if urgent steps are not taken promptly, major crisis may errupt in parts of Emohua Community in Emohua Local Government Area of the Rivers State.
This is sequel to land grabbing allegations against its King, the Nne Nwe Eli Emohua, HM, King Sergeant Chidi Awuse, by members of the Mgboh Royal family.
The people penultimate week, in a peaceful protest, called on the Rivers State Government and other relevant authorities to urgently come to their rescue.
Speaking during the protest walk to Government House in Port Harcourt, one of the protesters, Chief Nwosu Okachukwu, alleged that the land grabbers, working under the directives of King Sergeant Awuse, have commenced fencing of the disputed land despite a court order barring them for proceeding with work until the court hears the substance of their case.
“We are protesting because this land belongs to Mgbo family. We’ve written several times to the Commissioner of Police and others, no any action. The matter is also in the court.
“Sergeant Awuse and the group, they are the ones. We want government to intervene over this, come to our aid and hear what we are shouting, what we’re crying, because we want peace, we’re the peace-loving family”, he said.
Another member of the Mgboh Royal Family, Ogbondah Samuel, while appealing for swift government intervention, said the land in question is where their farms were and where they also rear animals.
Speaking in pidgin English, Samuel said Awuse is not a member of the Royal Family and that he just came and took over what belongs to them because nobody gave it to him.
He continued that if the land was officially given to Awuse, he would have also gotten the C of O, and with the Seal of the Royal Family.
“Let government come and help us. Give us what belongs to us because we don’t have strength. As you are seeing us, we’re facing hunger”, he said.
The protesters carrying placards with various inscription appealed for urgent government intervention to salvage the situation and prevent violence that may arise between Mgboh Royal Family members and agents of the land grabbers.
Some of the inscriptions read: “Our Land is not for sale”, “lies cannot prevent our truth”, “Awuse, you are not from Mgboh Royal Family and will not be”, “Awuse, you cannot purchase Royalty with money”, and “live the way God has created you”.
In his reaction, His Majesty, Ohna Chidi Sergeant Awuse, Nye Nweli Emohua XIII, Oloh IV, and Paramount Ruler of Emohua Kingdom, described the protesters as merchants of crimes and vices, who have through financial inducement taken advantage of a less fortunate circumstance of some individuals to stage a defamation protest against the personality of Ohna .
The monarch, who reacted through a statement issued by his press team, wondered the reason for a protest in a matter which the protesters had already taken to court and is still pending .
The statement further alleged that those behind the protest are the same group of people that peddled the death rumour of Awuse sometime last year while he was on medical trip abroad .
The statement further alleged that the sponsors of the protesters are fully aware of the absence of the King, who is again away on a medical trip in London, and for which they consider a good opportunity to manipulate lies against facts.
While exonerating the Emohua King of the protesters’ allegation of any other wrong doings, the statement appealed to the unsuspecting members of the public, the Emohua people, and the Rivers State Government to be wary of the protesters and to advise Royal Father’s accusers to purge themselves of evil capable of triggering break down of peace and order in the Kingdom, which it said has witnessed peace and stability since the Ohna Sergeant Awuse mounted the saddle of leadership.

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NAFDAC Destroys N4.7bn Worth Expired, Substandard Products In Rivers

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The National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sai it destroyed fake, expired, substandard drugs worth N4.7 billion in Rivers State.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, made the remark during the destruction exercise at the Rivers State dump site in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Adeyeye, represented by Mr. Chukwuma Oligbu, the NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, explained that the products were all seized from the six states of the South-South region.
The states are Rivers, Bayelsa. Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
She stated that the investigation, enforcement and destruction exercise was an unwavering resolve and commitment of the agency to protect the lives of the people.
According to her, the destruction of these harmful products was not just a routine exercise.
“It is a firm statement of our unwavering resolve and commitment to protect the lives of the people from the dangers of counterfeit and substandard medicines, unwholesome food, medical devices and other hazardous regulated products.
“These products, if allowed to circulate, could cause untold harm including treatment failures, drug resistance, prolonged illnesses, and even loss of lives”, she said.
Adeyeye explained that the products destroyed were made up of substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and food additives, unsafe cosmetics counterfeits.
She mentioned others as expired NAFDAC regulated products seized by the agency from manufacturers, importers and distributors.
According to the DG, some damaged and expired products were voluntarily handed over to the agency by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN) and Trade Unions.
She stated that the feat was achieved through intelligence gathering in July, 2024, adding that the estimated street value of the destroyed products was N4.7 billion.
Adeyeye further said the agency discovered several warehouses in Port Harcourt where some alcoholic beverages were being re-validated and re-introduced into circulation.
“After a properly coordinated surveillance, the warehouses were raided and products confiscated.
‘’Also, through this operation, a warehouse of unregistered cosmetics product was raided and products worth several millions of naira were confiscated.
“Seized unregistered imported vegetable oil without Vitamin A fortification and assorted unregistered cosmetics product from Delta state were also among the products destroyed”, she explained.
She acknowledged that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Edo State handed over two 40ft containers of various Pharmacological classes of unregistered and substandard drugs which was part of the items destroyed.
The DG commended the sister agencies who assisted NAFDAC in the feat for their unflinching support in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines and harmful products.
The agencies included Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Security (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
She also recognised the assistance of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and the media, assuring the agency’s commitment to protect the public from the harm of such products.
Adeyeye called on all stakeholders including health professionals, law enforcement agencies, industry players and the general public to support the fight by reporting suspicious activities and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
The dignitaries present at the occasion were the Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service Eastern Marine Command,
Others include, the Deputy Commander, NSCDC; the Rivers Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists; the Sole Administrator, RIWAMA; the State Fire Service, and the Coordinators of NAFDAC, South-South Zone.

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Don Proposes Group Matrix In Organisational Efficiency

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A Professor in the Business Education Department at Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, Prof. Joy Amesi, has proposed Group Matrix model system to help assess staff and students towards achieving proficiency.
She said it can also be applied in a work place setting to determine individual performances and hence will propel staff to work more effectively.
According to her, the benefits and importance of Group Matrix cannot be over-emphasised as it is capable of enabling staff to improve their efficiency, and strategically improve on their work.
Group Matrix, she added, “is not just for products, but also for organisational efficiency”.
Amesi stated this recently while delivering her inaugural lecture during the institution’s 108th inaugural lecture on the topic, “Group Matrix Imperatives: Epistemological And Pedagogical Perspectives Of A Business Education”, held at the senate building of the University.
She further explained that the Group Matrix can be used for both academic and non-academic, business organisations, and students in academic institutions.
“Group Matrix can be used to assess staff in an organisation. It’s not only for products and also not only for marketing, but can be used to assessing staff and students, knowing their performances and to enable them work better than the way they should have worked previously.
“This year academic institution should have applied Matrix in their assessment of staff and students for better equipment”, She stated.
Prof Amesi recommended, among other things, that institutions and organisations should select the most appropriate matrix and model to be utilised in the assessment of staff and learners.
In his speech the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, said the inaugural lecture is special for them because it provides an opportunity for them to tell the world that as a university they are working, adding that the University is carrying out teaching, research and community services which is the three primary objectives of every university.
“Education is central to all that we do as a people, as a state and as a nation. Without education, we cannot make progress”, Prof. Okogbule said.
He commended the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, for coming for the inaugural lecture, adding that when Prof Amesi was promoted to the rank of Professor, Justice Amadi hosted her, and he was privileged to be part of the event.
“My lord, I thank you very much for recognising the ability, quality in this young lady.
“There is no doubt you see that today in Prof Amesi, that Rivers State University did not make a mistake to promote her to the rank of Professor in the business education faculty in the university”, he said.

By: Kiadum Edookor

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