Niger Delta

13,000 TB Cases Not Reported In Nigeria – WHO

Published

8 years ago

March 30, 2018

No fewer than 13,000 cases of Tuberculosis (TB) have been under reported in Nigeria annually due mainly to failure of private healthcare providers to partner with the various state TB and Leprosy Control programmes.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria Tuberculosis (TB) Surveillance Officer, Rivers State Communicable Diseases Cluster, Dr Ayakeme Udom Ekpoudom, who stated this, added that due to poor treatment of TB patients by some private healthcare facilities, the incidence rate of TB in the country has increased.
Ekpoudom made the disclosures during an event organised by the Rivers State Ministry of Health to commemorate the 2018 World TB Day at the Rivers State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt, last Saturday, with the theme: “Wanted: Leaders To End TB in Rivers State”.
The event was preceded by a road walk from St Andrew’s State School, Mile One, Diobu to the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
The WHO officer lamented that a lot of people prefer to go to private health centres, which were even more costly than the government facilities for the treatment of TB, adding that this was one of the reasons why statistics on reported cases of TB were scarcely available.
He complained that the treatment many patients receive from the private healthcare facilities was sub-standard compared to the international best quality treatment given to TB patients at the government-controlled TB centres across the 23 local government areas of the state.
“A lot of people go to the private facilities and are probably treated for TB, and yet as a nation, we don’t have them on our record. We don’t know them, and they are sometimes poorly treated,” he argued.
He appealed to the private medical sector to partner with the state TB and Leprosy Control Programme to ensure that every TB patient in the state receive the same quality care that will ensure free and effective treatment of the patient in line with international best practices.
Ekpoudom stressed that the theme for this year’s event was a clarion call for everyone in position of power to use the instruments of his or her offices to fight TB, and warned that those with TB symptoms such as coughing for two or more weeks, weight lost, breathlessness, fever and restlessness at night to report to any of the TB care centres located at the 23 LGAs of the state instead of spreading the TB disease to the larger population.
He appealed to faith-based organizations to report suspected cases to the state TB programme by calling the phone number 08002255282 for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Also speaking, the State TB Programme Manager, Dr Victor Oris Onyiri identified two types of TB treatment: the simple which treatment lasts for six months and the complicated TB which treatment lasts for 9-12 months.
Onyiri said that both treatments were free of charge, adding that when TB virus is detected early, there was the likelihood of cure.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana & Victory Amirani

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

6 days 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

6 days 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

1 week 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.