News
Church Urges More Education On Environmental Sanitation
President of Umuahia District of Nigeria of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, Lemmy Odoemelam, has called on the government at all levels to lay greater emphasis on enlightenment of the masses on the implications of living in a clean environment instead of focusing more attention on refuse clearing.
Speaking with The Tide Saturday during a clean up exercise carried out by Umuahia District members of the church at Apummiri Ubakala headquartes of Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, Odoemelam also charged people to imbibe the habit of living in a clean environment and teach the younger ones the virtues of selfreliance.
Suggesting ways of evolving an enduring sanitation culture that would leave the environment sparkling at all times in the country, the Umuahia District President said:
“The government, first and foremost, will have to teach more of cleanliness; the need for people to live in a clean environment and not always embarking on contracts to clean the places for the people.
“For us, as individuals who are members of the society, we should always know that cleanliness is next to godliness and that we should learn to work for ourselves and then teach our children the principles of work. By so doing, one, they would learn to be selfreliant and, two, it will assist them in whatever endeavour they will embark upon in their future.”
He pointed out that a clean environment would have positive health, economic and social implications for the people.
The three-hour clean-up exercise which saw hundreds of members of the church cutting and weeding overgrown grasses and sweeping same; raking and picking up of dirt and clearing of accumulated refuse heaps inside and outside the council headquarters lasted from 8 – 11 am. It is an annual humanitarian service observed by the church throughout Africa.
“We embarked on this’assignment because it is a commandment from God that we should serve one another and the service we mean here is assisting our neighbour in doing that
he could not do for himself and annually the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the whole of Africa carries out this obligation,” Odoemelam volunteered, adding, “last year, we (Umuahia District) had it at Umuahia North LGA and we decided to come to Umuahia South this year.”
He explained that the essence of the humanitarian service, apart from practicalising “pure religion,” was aimed at impressing it upon the people that they should be partners in progress with the government.
“We want to teach people that we are partners in progress with the government. We are government. So we don’t wait for the government to do everything for us and as we do this (clean-up), it will assist in reducing the overhead cost in the running of the local government administration here. That is why we are here today,” he observed.
Assessing the impact of the exercise on residents of Umuahia over the years, Odoemelam said “by my reckoning, the impact so far observed is that the places we have done this projects before have taken a different shape like the Umuahia main town. Now, people have learnt to keep, most particularly the market area, clean always, knowing fully well that they can do that without waiting for the government. It is a matter of living in a clean environment, so they have learnt to do that. Second, it has helped to publicise the church because not everybody is aware of the church here.”
Flagging off the exercise, Chairman of Umuahia South, Pastor Goddy Kanu, represented by the Supervisor for Works, Chief Leonard Omenazu, said the council was overwhelmed by the kind gesture of the church.
“We were all happy, including the chairman. This shows that the churches around us show great concern for this local government area. We are very happy,” Omenazu said, urging other organsations and individuals to emulate the church in promoting environmental cleanliness which would impact positively on the health of the people.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has expressed concern over certain unprofessional practices within the surveying profession, urging practitioners to address issues surrounding the acquisition of Rights of Way and seismic operations in the State.
The governor also raised strong objections to what he described as threats to land ownership and title in the State through the alleged issuance of Federal Certificates of Occupancy by the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and other affiliated federal agencies.
According to him, such actions are contrary to Section 1 of the Land Use Act, Cap L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, which vests all land within a state in the Governor as trustee on behalf of the people.
Fubara made the remarks while speaking as Special Guest at the National Conference of the Association of Private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN), a sub-group of the National Institute of Surveyors (NIS), held at the Obi-Wali Cultural Centre, Port-Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, the governor also expressed concern over the problem of land grabbing through illegal survey plans and the payment of inadequate compensation to landowners during compulsory land acquisition for oil and gas exploration by licence holders, urging surveyors to uphold professionalism and fairness in their practice.
He said such illegal activities negatively affect the development of the State.
Fubara urged surveyors to promote ethical and sustainable planning practices that protect the environment, including the preservation of green spaces, marine areas, and forest reserves.
He described the role of surveyors as pivotal to the growth, development, peace, and orderly governance of any society.
According to him, the services of surveyors are critical to physical and urban planning, housing development, land administration, and the provision of infrastructure.
He stressed that surveyors play indispensable roles in land use and management, infrastructure provision, environmental management, and conflict resolution, noting that their presence in government ministries, departments, and agencies ensures adherence to best practices.
“The role of surveyors in governance is pivotal to the growth, development, peace, and order of society, particularly in land administration, infrastructure development, environmental management, and conflict resolution,” the governor said.
He noted that the conference theme, “Mapping the Future: The Vital Roles of Surveyors in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry,” was particularly significant to Rivers State, given its position as the hydrocarbon heartbeat of the nation.
The President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Surv. Pius Eze, urged all participants to optimize the opportunity provided by the conference for professional upgrading and networking, adding that the conference displays consistency of vision and dedication to the welfare of private practitioners.
The National Chairman of APPSN, Surv. Simepiriye Kalio, thanked leaders and members of the association for their sacrifices to achieving the successes recorded.
The Chairman of APPSN, Rivers State chapter, Surv. Andy Nwikinane, said that the association was working with relevant stakeholders to prevent the infiltration of quacks in the profession.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has charged Corps members serving in Rivers State to be good ambassadors of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in the State.
?Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Batch A Stream I orientation course for Corps members deployed to the State, at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Head of Information and PR Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi.
He assured the corps members of his administration’s dedication to the provision of welfare and security.
?The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Sir. Dede Samson Friday, enjoined the Corps members to “serve selflessly in your Places of Primary Assignment and leave enduring legacies that will stand the test of time.”
?He noted that the ongoing comprehensive renovation of the NYSC camp facilities would receive speedy completion, assuring them that Rivers State remains “a home away from home for all Corps members posted in the 23 LGAs of the State.”
?He also urged them to be “exemplary, honest, committed, and dedicated in all that they do, and to be good ambassadors of the NYSC Scheme.”
?The Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Moses Oleghe, in his farewell address, appealed to the Corps members to “shine as light and dispel the darkness of tribalism, ethnic bigotry, hate speech, and corruption which have eaten deep into the fabric of the nation’s life.
?He also advised them to “make a difference in the service year by contributing selflessly to the lives of others, especially members of your host communities.”
?Speaking further, he appealed to Corp Employers to provide Corps Members with a suitable and conducive environment to thrive abd appreciated Governor Fubara for his massive support to the NYSC Scheme in the State.
Rivers State Government has launched Boat Ambulance Emergency Medical Services aimed at strengthening emergency healthcare response in riverine and hard-to-reach communities across the State.
The rollout, organised by the Rivers State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (REMSAS), took place at the Tourist Beach, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Speaking at the event, the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, said the deployment of boat ambulances represents a practical response to longstanding healthcare access challenges faced by residents of riverine communities.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Prof. Justina Jumbo, the commissioner noted that difficult terrain and long distances have historically hindered timely access to medical care for many residents in coastal areas.
According to her, the initiative is designed to bridge that gap and ensure that geographical location no longer determines access to emergency medical services.
She added that the intervention reflects the commitment of the Rivers State Government under Governor Siminalayi Fubara to provide equitable healthcare access for all residents, regardless of location.
Also speaking, Vice Chairman of the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism, Dr. Ayo Ipinmoye, commended the state government for prioritising healthcare delivery to underserved communities.
He described the initiative as a significant step toward ensuring equitable access to health services, particularly for people living in remote areas who often face barriers to timely medical attention.
Ipinmoye stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among government agencies, community leaders, development partners, and healthcare professionals to sustain improved healthcare delivery.
The Tide reports that the boat ambulance initiative is expected to enhance rapid emergency response across both land and water terrains, ensuring quicker medical intervention in critical situations.
John Bibor
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