News
Churches Bar Members From Donating Blood
The National Blood Transfusion Centre (NBTC) in Enugu, has blamed religious and cultural inhibitions for the low rate of blood donation in the South East zone.
The Coordinator of the centre, Dr Michael Chukwu, told newsmen in Enugu last Thursday that churches in the zone had even banned their members from donating blood.
“This religious problem is a very big thing, especially in this South East, where some clergy men would not allow us to come and sensitise the people during service to get blood.
“It is culture of the people also that blood is a special thing that should not be given out; but it is the same people that rush here every day to come and access blood,’’ he said.
Chukwu said that the centre might decide to ban those religious groups from accessing blood from it if they continued.
He said the negative attitude had affected the blood bank in the centre as it made less than 200 units a month as against a target of 360 units.
The coordinator also decried the attitude of the government, tertiary institutions and corporate bodies toward supporting and encouraging blood donation.
Chukwu said the centre set up what he called ‘Club 25’ in some tertiary institutions in the state but regretted that they were not effective because of lack of funds to sustain it.
“Club 25 is a group of youth in higher institutions who vow to donate blood until they are 25 years of age or to donate blood 25 times in their life time and to remain HIV-negative throughout their life time. “So it is a group of youths under 25 years. “
The coordinator said they were encouraged to educate their group and become blood donors so that they could spread the message on HIV and Hepatitis B.
He appealed to the media to assist the centre by creating awareness, to encourage people to donate blood.
In her contribution, a haematologist at the ESUT Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Mrs Ada Chineke, said that only those between 18 years and above and weighed above 50kg were liable to donate blood.
Chineke commended blood donors for saving lives and encouraged others to emulate them in order to save more lives in the country.
The UN set aside June 14 every year to mark World Donors Day to encourage people to voluntarily donate blood to save lives.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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