Niger Delta

SPDC Urges Communities To Embrace Health Insurance Scheme

Published

11 years ago

March 20, 2015

Shell Petroleum
Development Company (SPDC) has called on communities to embrace its Community Health Insurance Scheme (CHIS) to improve their health care status and eliminate poor health.
Shell’s Regional Community Health Manager, Dr Tunde Fakunle, made the call during the first anniversary celebration of Rumuokwrusi community health insurance scheme in Port Harcourt.
Fakunle said that SPDC was committed to improving the health care of neighbours and surrounding communities.
“The community took the lead to ask for the health programme from SPDC, we went to Rivers State Government for approval which the government approved.
“When we started this programme, the women were not more than two or three persons that delivered in a month but now we have large number of women that deliver and receive treatment in a month,” he said.
Fakunle said that the health centre records about three to four deliveries in a month before the introduction of the scheme which brought the
number of delivery to 40 in a month.
“CHIS is health care of the people, by the people and for the people; this scheme has been of immense benefit to the community.
“I can tell you that in a space of one year, the programme has grown so fast and God has been faithful.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the women to make use of this facility for a small amount of money they were asked to pay to explore the facility for a year, “he said.
Fakunle urged the paramount rulers to support the programme by encouraging their communities to use the facility.
“We call on community leaders to encourage the women, youths and children to use this facility because we are ready to partner with you to improve the health status, “he said.
In his speech, Dr Anikara Atamunotoru, who represented the Executive Secretary of Rivers Primary Health Care, Dr Claribel Abam,
commended Governor Chibuike Amaechi , Shell team for initiating the scheme.
Atamunotoru called on Rumuokwurusi community not to forget the vision of CHIS to improve the health status of the people.
“After one year implementation of this scheme, the journey has just started, but on a positive note, one year has seen a lot of unimaginable progress that will improve the general well-being of the people,’’ he said.
He commended SPDC, the stakeholders and the paramount rulers for the success of the scheme.
In his speech, the paramount ruler of Rumuokwurusi kingdom, Eze Sunday Wokoma, commended SPDC and the state government for their immense support to the scheme.
Mrs Ezinne Daniel, one of the beneficiaries, who spoke on behalf of the women, applauded SPDC and the team for the scheme.
“I am very happy to be a beneficiary of this programme. Ordinarily, I would have spent more than N7,500 for antenatal , delivery and other
treatment that were given to me but that was the only fee I paid for the one year health service,” she said.

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

4 days ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.