News

Malnutrition: Mrs Wike Hails UNICEF’s Collaborative Efforts

Published

9 years ago

October 3, 2016

The Rivers State
Government in conjunction with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), recently organised a two-day Zonal Nutrition Summit for South South States of Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta, with the theme, “Leveraging In-Country Resources for Better Nutrition Outcomes-Key to Sustainable Development”.
This is even as the wife of Rivers State Governor, Justice (Mrs.) Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom Wike has commended UNICEF for its collaborative efforts in tackling malnutrition and other nutrition related diseases in the South South.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the summit in a keynote address in Port Harcourt, Mrs Wike lauded UNICEF for establishing a head office in the South-South and for playing a leading role in championship the cause of addressing the issue of malnutrition and providing the platform for concerted collaborations with stakeholders in the zone.
“I appreciate all the efforts of our development partners especially UNICEF who work over-time to ensure that Rivers women and children thrive and develop to their full potentials”, she said.
She said the Nutrition Summit was aimed at raising the awareness of critical stakeholders on the need to prioritise nutrition and appreciate care for women and children in the four South-South States, adding that the summit is timely, given that malnutrition and related diseases continue to be problems of great public health importance in Nigeria and globally, with escalating records of stunted growth in children especially and micronutrient deficiencies in women.
Mrs. Wike regretted that Nigeria has the highest number of stunted children under the age of 5 years in Sub-Saharan Africa and the second highest in the world with 37% of Nigerian children classified as stunted and 18% wasted.
She expressed delight that the Rivers State Government has in the past one year successfully controlled Lassa Fever and Cholera outbreaks and continues to prioritise public health issues in the state, emphasising that the ongoing construction of four zonal hospitals in Bori, Degema, Ahoada and Etche towns and the development of the framework for the Universal Health Insurance Scheme will grant more Rivers people and residents access to quality healthcare services and protect lives especially at the rural areas.
She promised to include the issue of malnutrition and other related issues as topical points on “RivETHNICS on Radio”, a public education and character building radio programme initiated by her office, which is aired on five radio stations every Saturday in the state.
In his remarks, the UNICEF Chief of Rivers Field Office, Mr. Wilbroad Ngambi thanked the Rivers State Government for working with UNICEF to organise the summit, a gesture which he said reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that the nutrition of Nigerian children is improved upon.
He said the theme of the summit is timely, as it is in line with the global development agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals, which clearly stated that “by 2030, end of all forms of malnutrition, including achieving by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons”.
Ngambi said UNICEF is committed to working and supporting the State in the South South and indeed the whole of Nigeria to achieve this agenda, and hinted that 11 million children representing almost 37% of Nigerian children are ravaged by malnutrition and other nutrition-related ailments.
The UNICEF Chief, therefore, threw this poser, among others for the participants to ponder on: “can there be any greater inequality than children deprived of the rights to live and learn fully, so that they may reach their full potential?”
On her part, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Onimim Jack said the Ministry of Agriculture is giving priority attention to ensuring food security in the State and promoting good nutrition among Rivers people and residents.
She said instead of concentrating on producing particular food crops, “we ensure that farmers produce a little of everything and to make sure we have our own”. Mrs. Onimim disclosed that the state is prepared to mark the World Food Day and the World Food Day Fair slated for 24th October, 2016 and 27th October, 2016 respectively.

Donatus Ebi

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.