Rivers
Embrace Measles Vaccination, Health Educator Urges Mothers
Ahead of the forthcoming round of measles vaccination scheduled to hold from the 12th to 18th of October, a Health Educator, Dr. Diana Babbo, has called on mothers to ensure that their children and wards are vaccinated.
Dr. Babbo, who is the Health Educator, Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, said women, particularly those who may have missed the last round of vaccination, would need to take advantage of the opportunity.
“We’re saying that any mother that has possibly missed one of her doses can just walk in, show us her card, we will first look through, and give the child whatever the missed opportunity, of which vaccine”, she said.
Babbo, who made the call while speaking to newsmen on the sideline of a media parley, continued that, “we are also saying that there’re some women that have not given their children any vaccine at all. So long as the child is in that 1 to 5 years bracket, and have not been given any vaccine, we’re combing them out, and we’re starting them on our schedule”.
She noted that while vaccines are for vaccine-preventable illnesses, it has been found that less mothers are continuously embracing vaccination and immunization.
Consequently, she said, “we are seeing all the illnesses that had we won the battle against coming back: polio, whooping cough, yellow fever, measles are all back, and they’re causing a lot of havoc in our communities.
“So, we’re saying let mothers begin to have trust again in our vaccination and immunization”.
She also used the opportunity to call on the media to be a viable ally in creating adequate awareness on the forthcoming round of vaccination and immunization, by providing avenues for more robust media sensitisation.
The categories of children to be vaccinated, she said, are “nine months to five years: those that are in creches 1, 2, and Primary 1 and 2”, while the vaccination is for measles, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and routine immunization.
The HPV is for young girls within the ages of 9 to 14 years, who are not yet sexually active, but are exposed to the virus.
Also speaking, the Chairperson, Media Advocacy for Health, Rivers State, Mrs. Jenewari Utomi, urged journalists on effective reportage of health-related issues, particularly those on women and children.
“As Journalists, we constitute a vital arm of stakeholders in the quest to achieve effective and accessible health care delivery in the state, and the nation at large. One way that we can achieve this goal is through our reportage”, she said.
Sogbeba Dokubo
Continue Reading
An expert in Natural Resource Governance, Dr. Mike Uzoigwe, has called for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the development of oil communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Uzoigwe made the appeal during a training for community representatives under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He noted that five years after the PIA was enacted, funding under the HCDT framework for member communities had yet to be fully implemented.
He attributed the slow pace of implementation to oil companies’ failure to remit funds, ongoing litigations, internal community disputes, and regulatory challenges, among other factors.
According to him, these challenges have made it difficult to properly assess the effectiveness of HCDT implementation in host communities.
Uzoigwe also expressed concern that several communities were yet to establish HCDTs, which are essential for accessing funds designated for local development.
“Fortunately, there are communities that have successfully leveraged the HCDT to advance development in their localities.
“However, we want every host community to access these funds to accelerate development in their respective areas and contribute to the broader transformation of the Niger Delta”, he stated.
Uzoigwe urged host communities to familiarise themselves with the provisions and regulations of the PIA to enable them to fully benefit from the Act.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, explained that the training was organised for HCDT communities in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers States.
According to her, the objective of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the PIA’s provisions, conduct needs assessments and undertake community development planning.
“We examined how the HCDT can be made effective and efficient in utilising the three per cent operational cost allocation for community development projects, as stipulated in the PIA.
“This allocation is structured as follows: 75 per cent for project execution, 20 per cent for savings, and five per cent for administrative costs.
“HCDT members are responsible for identifying and prioritising community needs through a transparent, sincere, and people-centred decision-making process in managing these funds”, Okon explained.
She encouraged host communities to engage actively with various stakeholders, including women, youth, farmers, and community leaders, to identify development projects that reflect the genuine needs of their communities.
The Sole Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, says he will run an all-inclusive government for the betterment of the local government.
He stated that his priority is workers’ welfare in all ramifications and the good people of the area.
Apiafi stated this recently while addressing workers at the council’s headquarters in Opobo, saying that his direct mandate is to ensure that the existing peace is sustained.
According to him, he is a technocrat, hence he will carry out his functions accordingly.
“Thank you all for welcoming me as your administrator. My mandate here is to ensure that you, workers, are well treated, with your salaries paid promptly, and give you what you deserve.
“You all are my brothers, sisters and friends. I know that together we can take this local government to an enviable height. What I need from you is cooperation.
“I solicit for your support to enable us all succeed because I alone cannot achieve the desired development”, he urged.
The administrator used the forum to thank the Sole Administrator of the State, Vice – Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) for giving him the opportunity to serve his people and pledged that he will not disappoint him in any aspect, while promising to discharge his duties in strict compliance to the charge of the Sole Administrator.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the LGA, Comrade Diri Dandison, commended the administrator for placing workers’ welfare top on his list.
According to him, what workers want in the LGA is someone who can give them listening ears, and also give them what they deserve.
“I am happy that Mr. Fredrick Apiafi has placed welfare of workers first, but we pray he fullfills his promises. What we want is for people at the grassroots to also enjoy dividends of governance”, he said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
The Nigerian Navy Rescue Team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER have saved 99 persons from drowning in Rivers State during an operation.
A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, in Port Harcourt, said the incident occurred when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba) was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route Akuku Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State, resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.
He said the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard.
According to him, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.
“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved.
“The Nigerian Navy hereby restates that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the service will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate sea farers within Nigeria’s maritime domain”, Adams Aliu said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
-
Sports19 hours agoWorld Relays: Chinese Embassy replies ‘inconsistent’ AFN
-
Oil & Energy12 hours agoTight Now, Loose Later: Oil Futures Flash Warning
-
News19 hours ago15 Pipeline Vandals Convicted In N’Delta -Ribadu
-
News13 hours agoHYPREP Solicits Regulators, Asset Owners’ Support
-
Niger Delta19 hours agoC’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002
-
Politics12 hours agoTinubu’s Visit To Anambra Healing, Reconciliation Message To Igbo – Arthur Eze
-
Sports19 hours agoNasarawa intensify training ahead of National Sports Festival
-
Oil & Energy12 hours ago“Renaissance Energy, NNPC JV Donate ICU Equipment To RSUTH