Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation has reviewed its achievements for 2024, highlighting significant progress in various areas.

The Commissioner, Mr. Ilamu Arugu, who made this known during a retrospective meeting with his management staff in his office in Port-Harcourt, disclosed that the ministry achieved remarkable milestones in 2024.

He also said the Ministry successfully surmounted the challenges faced to make significant advancements, particularly in child welfare and social services generally.

Key accomplishments highlighted by the Commissioner under review include: Tackling Illegal Baby Homes to ensure the safety and well-being of children; Enhancing Public Safety Initiatives by addressing the movement of mentally challenged individuals on major roads in Port-Harcourt, aimed at promoting a safer environment for residents; and improving care facilities by  fumigating and carrying out minor repairs at the Children’s home, to provide comfortable living conditions for residents.

Others are: introduction of a monthly cash prize of N100,000 for the best staff member in the Ministry to boost morale and encourage optimal service delivery; renovation of the Commissioner’s office, which was previously in a deplorable state; installation of two transformers at the Rehabilitation Center in Iriebe and Safe Home in Borikiri to address power issues and  enrollment of children under the ministry’s care into the Rivers State Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) to provide quality healthcare services to them.

“Notably, the Ministry  also initiated a team to ensure accurate and efficient documentation and data management at the homes, further enhancing transparency and accountability”. the Commissioner said.

The Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Commissioner further unveiled the Ministry’s 2025 infrastructure plans, which include: remodeling of the Children’s Home at Borikiri.

He expressed optimism that with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s approval, the ministry will make significant strides in providing humanitarian services to vulnerable populations in the state, and encouraged staff to take ownership of the upcoming projects.

“The ministry’s 2025 targets also include: establishing a proposed home for the elderly; partnering with relevant NGOs to monitor homes using specialized software in enhancing the management and care of children in orphanages as well as publishing a quarterly newsletter showcasing activities of the ministry.

He commended the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Professor Justina Jumbo, for her invaluable support and administrative efforts that have assisted the ministry’s growth and  equally praised the Directors for their tireless work and dedication, which, according to him, have been instrumental in achieving success in the ministry.

Mr.  Arugu also hailed the Ministry’s media team for showcasing the ministry’s efforts through social media, newspapers, television, and radio stations.

Mr. Arugu emphasized the importance of consistent teamwork amongst  members of staff and urged them to maintain their collaborative spirit for the collective good of the ministry.

On her part, the Permanent Secretary underscored the crucial role of planning, teamwork, and accountability in driving the ministry’s success, urging her colleagues to exert maximum effort in achieving their goals.

The ministry, she said, has established notable collaborations with several organizations such as UNICEF, ActionAid  Nigeria, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria  (IHVN), University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT), and NGOS, including Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON) to enhance its impact.

The Permanent Secretary also highlighted the need for specialized training for casual staff to handle vulnerable groups, given the ministry’s manpower shortage.

While praising the Commissioner’s leadership, the Permanent Secretary noted her willingness to tolerate mistakes and support staff growth for the new year.

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rivers State Chapter, Most Rev. Dokiboeriya Bray Kaladokubo, has called on the Christian community in Rivers State to the support the administration of Governor Siminalaye Fubara in prayers.

The CAN Chairman said this in an interview with newsmen at Elderly Home,  Harbour Road, Port Harcourt, during the distribution of bags of rice donated by the Governor for the Association to some charity homes in Port Harcourt and Obio Akpor Local Government Areas.

Most Rev. Kaladokubo, who also sued for peace among the political class in Rivers State, said the bags of rice were given by Governor Fubara to the Association for distribution to the Christian community, but the Association decided to send some of the bags to charity homes.

“Today we are here at the home for the elderly and other homes to support them with a gift from the performing Governor of the state.

“He gave some rice to share to the Christians and we decided that there are others who needed this rice, so we decided to give out a good number to the elderly and that is why we are here.

“We have shared it to five other homes and this is the last home we are coming”, he said.

Commending Governor Fubara for the gesture, the CAN boss said it was the first time in many years that CAN and other religious groups are receiving such gesture from the government.

He said the prayers of the Christians are needed to enable Governor Fubara’s administration succeed.

“We thank the Governor for his magnanimity, and we pray that God will continue to be with him. As Christians, we are with him, we are working for him and we are praying for him to succeed”, he said.

He also stressed the need for the government to look into the plights of some of the inmates of the homes visited, stressing that some of them need conducive environment and financial support.

“The first, second and third homes that we went to, the government needs to come to their aid. The environments are not good, a lot of them have emaciated and they need support financially and food items”, he said.

The Most Rev. also stressed the need for the political class in the state to give peace a chance this year, saying Rivers State will gain nothing from continuous political crisis.

“I’m not a politician, but my advice as a Christian to politicians is for them to take things easy, because all of us are one. Above all, they should  love one another”, he urged.

Some of the homes visited include: Lifetime Caring International Foundation, Woji; Azibaola Charity Foundation; Children Home, Amadi Ama, Port Harcourt; Port Harcourt Cheshire Home; and Elderly Home.

At the Azibaola Charity Foundation Children Home, the matron of the home, Rev. Mary Edoni, commended the Association for the gesture.

She said the 50 bags made available to the home will also be shared to others in need.

Also, at the Port Harcourt Cheshire Home, the leader of the inmates, Jeremiah Victor George, said the inmates need the support of the Governor.

He also pleaded with CAN to intimate the Governor on their poor conditions.

At the Elderly Home, Mrs. Francis Edith thanked the association for including them in the gesture.

John Bibor

The Executive Director, Gender and Sustainable Development Forum, Dr. Doris Onyeneke, has hinted of plans by the group to improve women and children health through campaign against violence on women and children.

Expressing regret that the health of   women and children was in great danger as a result of  domestic violence, rape and Child abuse, she urged well-meaning individuals and citizens to join hands to end violence against the girl child.

Dr. Onyeneke said the abuse against women and girls can be defeated if the relevant bodies support the campaign with vigor.

She disclosed that the group had organised sixteen days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women.

The reason, she explained, “is that trafficking occur around this vicinity. So we decided to create awareness here.

“Gender-Based Violence, domestic violence, child abuse, and all sort need government support”.

On her part, the President and founder  of Nice Foundation, a non- governmental body that caters for the well-being of the out of school children, Lady Alamieseigha Nice, said her group stand strongly against violence against women and the  girl child.

She stated  that Nice Foundation, with network across Nigeria, throws its weight behind the campaign.

Lady Nice said the group had been in existence for the past 20 years, nothing that it has carried out campaigns against girl child and ensured out of school children are given the right education.

She said the women should be protected and allowed to participate fully in politics

Also, the Managing Director and CEO KOP, Victoria ThankGod Ode, said her group came to give maximum support to the campaign.

Victoria called on everyone to stand against violence against women in the society, and commended the organisers for a well thought out exercise.