News
Healthcare Delivery: Mrs Wike Seeks PPP For Dev
Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike has called for public-private partnership in the health sector to ensure that more people have access to quality healthcare facilities and fast-track development in the state.
Justice Nyesom-Wike also advised women to submit themselves for early screening for breast cancer, pointing out that successful treatment depends on early detection.
She spoke, yesterday, at the Christ Church, Port Harcourt, after she commissioned the Mammogram Centre built by the Christ Church Women’s League.
She explained that the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike has invested in the development of the health sector, but added that private sector participation was required to cover more grounds.
The wife of the Rivers State governor commended the women’s league for investing in the provision of a mammogram to help in the early detection of breast cancer.
While calling on other public spirited organisations to emulate the women’s league of the Christ Church, Justice Nyesom-Wike, urged the operators of the facility to be professional and humane in the way they carry out their functions.
“With this intervention, women in Rivers State now have another facility where they can be screened for breast cancer. I call on women to avail themselves of this opportunity to screen themselves for breast cancer”, she said.
She called for the location of a federal cancer treatment centre in Port Harcourt, as the three existing cancer treatment facilities are located in the the South-West and North-West geo-political zones of the country.
Also speaking, the state Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo said the Wike administration has been committed to the welfare of the people through the provision of basic amenities.
In his sermon, Prelate of the Methodist Church, Most Reverend Samuel Kanu Uche, urged government officials to always work to promote the wellbeing of the less privileged.
The commissioning of the mammogram centre by Justice Nyesom-Wike was attended by the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Samuel Kanu Uche, Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, Anglican Archbishop of Niger Delta Province, Most Reverend Ignatius Kattey, commissioners and special adviser of the Rivers State Government.
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.
