Niger Delta

NGO Empowers 1,830 Health Workers In A’Ibom

Published

10 years ago

June 27, 2016

The United States Agency
for International Development (USAID) funded programme, Malaria Action Programme for States (MAPS), has empowered 1,830 health workers for malaria prevention in Akwa Ibom.
The Head of MAPS in Nigeria, Mr Oluwole Adeusi, disclosed this in Uyo in a windup ceremony to mark the end of MAPS projects in the state.
Adeusi, also known as MAPS’ Chief of Party, said that the health workers were trained on Malaria case management, prevention and control in pregnancy.
Other areas of capacity building included malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (mRDT) and training of 25 laboratory scientists in the state on malaria microscopy.
Adeusi said that within the two years of MAPS’ existence in Akwa Ibom, over 95 per cent of confirmed uncomplicated malaria cases had been appropriately treated.
He said that MAPS in collaboration with other partners worked assiduously to improve adherence to national malaria guidelines, planning, budgeting and development of annual operational plan in the state.
Presenting an overview of MAPS implementation in Akwa Ibom, the State Coordinator, Mr Ime Akpan, said that the project started in March 2014.
Akpan said that the programme had implemented monthly data validation exercise from local government areas as well as monthly state meeting on monitoring and evaluation.
The coordinator said that the programme had trained 150 personnel on Health Management Information System (HMIS) and supported robust health data consultative meetings.
Akpan said that the programme had assisted the continuous distribution of long lasting insecticidal nets through ante-natal clinics and during immunisation days.
He said that the greatest challenge he had while the programme lasted was the nonchalance attitude of some health workers.
In his welcome address, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Dominic Ukpong, commended MAPS for living up to expectations by contributing to significant reduction of malaria burden in the state.
Ukpong noted that MAPS project had made positive impacts and promised to create conducive environment for partners to operate in the state.
“It is imperative that such gains be sustained for the achievement of the desired global targets,” Ukpong said.
He thanked the Federal Ministry of Health, the United States Government and other implementing partners for their efforts towards eliminating malaria in the state and Nigeria as a whole.
In his goodwill message, the State Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Augustine Umoh, noted that malaria was one illness that had defied preventive measures.
Umoh called on the Akwa Ibom government to evolve strategies that would sustain the gains recorded by MAPS in the state.
He also commended MAPS for partnering with the NMA in the state to train doctors on treatment and management of malaria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that MAPS is a six-year programme spanning 2010 to 2016, implemented by FHI360 in partnership with Malaria Consortium (MC) and Health Partners International (HPI).
It has the major objective of increasing the quality, access and uptake of malaria control interventions in Nigeria by implementing and scaling up proven malaria control methods. (NAN)
BB/MST/MST

Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

Published

4 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.

Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.

Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.

He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.

Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.

In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Niger Delta

Otu Reiterates Commitment To Support Military Veterans, Families

Published

4 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.

Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.

“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.

Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.

“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.

Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.

Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.

He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.

“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.

The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.

Niger Delta

Delta Legislative Assembly Impeaches Leader Over Gross misconduct

Published

4 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Leader of Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm, Rt. Hon. Ajero Prosper Okeoghene, has been impeached over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The impeachment of the ousted leader was signed by 12 out of the 18 councillors that attended the plenary at the legislative chamber of Ughelli North on Wednesday.

The Councillors alleged that the former House leader breached the constitutional requirement to lead the 8th Assembly.

According to the statement, “We the undersigned Councillors of Ughelli North Local Government Legislative House of the 8th Assembly have watched with keen interest the activities of the present Leader of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ajero Okeoghene Prosper, and having thoroughly gone through it, we decided to as a matter of urgency, resolved to impeach him in line with the relevant Delta Local Government Law 2013, as Amended, and other Legislative practices/convention.

“Furthermore, to the above therefore, we are constrained to state unequivocally that Hon. Ajero Okeoghene Prosper lacks the ability to move this Eighth (8th) Assembly to the next level and as such should step outside for another to reinvigorate this present Assembly.

“Having satisfied the constitutional requirement of 2/3 majority, motion for his impeachment and removal as leader of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm was moved.

“His impeachment was as a result of Misappropriation of funds, inability to pilot the affairs of the house, high-handedness, gross misconduct and refusal to call plenary as at when due and his excessive drunkenness.

“The motion for his impeachment was moved by Hon. Onome Isherhe, Councillor representing Ughelli Ward 12, and seconded by Hon. Clever Erhuvwu Ofariko, representing Orogun Ward 3, respectively.

“The motion for a new Leader of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm was moved by Hon. Collins Oghenebrorhie Arhiakpore, the Councillor representing Agbarha Ward 2 and seconded by Hon Felicia Diedjomaho, the Councillor representing Agbarho Ward 1″, it stated.

Amongst the Councillors that signed the impeachment are Hon. Orido December, Hon. Victor, Hon. Igogono Goddey, and Hon. Felicia Diedjomaho.

Others are Hon. Inana Oke Festus, Hon. Clever Erhuvwu Ofariko, Hon. Collins Arhiakpore, Hon. Joseph Friday Obara, Hon. Onome Isherhe, and Hon. Palmer Israel.

The new Leader of the Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm is Rt. Hon. Solomon Oghenero Agbini, the Councillor representing Ogor Ward 1.

All efforts to contact the impeached leader, Okeoghene, were not successful as calls to his line were not answered or returned as of the time of this report.