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Church Tasks Politicians On 2019 Elections

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The Diocese of Niger Delta North, Anglican Communion has tasked politicians to adhere to the rules of free and fair election as the nation prepares for the 2019 general elections.
This was contained in a communique made available to newsmen at the end of the second session of the eight Synod of the Diocese at the Cathedral of St Paul, Port Harcourt.
The communique, jointly signed by the Bishop of the Diocese and President of Synod, Most Rev Ignatius Kattey and the chancellor of the Diocese, Sir Emeka Ichoku also urged the federal government to put a stop to the wanton destruction of lives and property by herdsmen in the country.
It also urged politicians to de-emphasise the high premium placed on political power and see politics as a platform for service rather than a war.
While urging Christian faithful to register and obtain their Permanent Voter’s Card in order to exercise their franchise, the diocese observed with dismay the pollution of Niger Delta especially the release of soot into the environment of Rivers State and urged for the speedy implementation of the Ogoni clean-up programme.
The Diocese also thanked Governor Wike for his assistance to the Diocese as well as his achievements in improving the fortunes of the state with regard to security, agriculture, health, infrastructural development and assistance to the church.
The Diocese also appreciated former Governors Peter Odili, Celestine Omehia and Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and other government functionaries for their outstanding support to the church so far, during the tenure of the present Archbishop/Bishop.
It recognize d the roles of the diocese in relation to other Christian bodies including Christian Council of Nigeria Rivers State, Christian Association of Nigeria Rivers State, Port Harcourt Christian Council Project and Scripture Union Nigeria.
The Synod also congratulated the new Dean of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Most Rev Ali Buba Lamido, Archbishop of Kaduna province, the Archbishop-elect, province of Niger Delta, Rt Rev Tunde Adeleye and the Bishop-elect diocese of Niger Delta North, Ven Wisdom B. Chunwo and also for their prayers and support.

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Ministry Lists Challenges To Health Sector 

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The Rivers State Ministry of Health says it has identified some key challenges affecting the healthcare sector of the state.
This, it said, include shortages in critical health cadre, imbalance in workforce distribution between urban and rural communities, and weak workforce data integration.
The rest are: ageing personnel, attrition pressure, limited fiscal space, and increasing demand for health care services.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, said this while declaring opene a five-day Health Labour Market Analysis (HLMA) Methodology and Data Collection workshop for health officers in the state, in Port Harcourt.
He said the programme was crucial due to the growing pressure on health systems globally, adding that it would go a long way in addressing critical challenges and also strengthen health care service delivery in the state.
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Wachukwu noted challenges facing the health sector such as shortages of skilled personnel, unequal distribution of health workers, migration, attrition, productivity concerns, rising disease burdens, and limited financial resources.
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According to him, the strength of any health system depends largely on the capacity of its workforce, describing health workers as essential to service delivery, disease surveillance, emergency response, maternal and child healthcare, and the achievement of universal health coverage.
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He restated the government’s commitment to adopting evidence-based workforce planning, backed by reliable data, strategic investment, and policy coordination rather than fragmented interventions.
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Wachukwu explained that the Health Labour Market Analysis would enable the state to evaluate workforce supply, demand, financing realities, and healthcare needs while identifying existing policy and investment gaps.
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“The exercise will help us develop practical strategies for building a resilient and sustainable health workforce capable of meeting the healthcare needs of our people”, he said.
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Wachukwu also acknowledged that although the state government has implemented reforms to strengthen the health sector, major challenges still persist.
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“This workshop comes at a very critical moment, not only for Rivers State, but for Nigeria’s health sector as well.
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“Across the country and indeed globally, health systems are increasingly confronted with major workforce challenges, shortages of skilled health workers, inequitable distribution, migration and attrition, productivity concerns, changing disease burdens and growing financial constraints”, the Permanent Secretary said.
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Emphasising the importance of collaboration and stakeholder participation, he noted that the success of the workshop would depend on the availability of quality data and institutional cooperation.
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He urged participants to contribute actively throughout the workshop and support the data gathering and analytical processes, stating that the outcome of the exercise would guide policy formulation, improve workforce performance, strengthen investments in the health sector, and enhance healthcare outcomes across Rivers State.
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The Permanent Secretary commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Clinton Health Access Initiative, World Health Organization, development partners, and stakeholders for supporting the initiative.
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Also speaking, the Assistant Director, Human Resources for Health, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Abuja, John Okobia, said the HLMA exercise was specifically designed to address the unique healthcare workforce realities and needs of Rivers State.
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Okobia explained that the policy framework expected to emerge from the workshop would not be merely theoretical, but tailored towards practical solutions capable of improving healthcare delivery and outcomes across the state.
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He advocated for deliberate interventions aimed at strengthening the health sector and improving access to quality healthcare services, expressing optimism that the five-day workshop would produce fruitful outcomes that would support effective health workforce planning and better health indices in the state.
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“The policy that we are going to generate from here is not going to be a theoretical policy, but  is going to solve the practical needs of the people of River State.
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“With a population of about nine million people, Rivers State requires deliberate support and strategic interventions. What we aim to achieve through this exercise is to identify practical ways to improve health outcomes across the state.
“On that note, I want to sincerely thank you all for receiving us, and we are hopeful that the next five days will be productive and impactful”, he  said.
The workshop was organized by the state Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Social Welfare, Clinton Health Access Initiative, World Health Organization (WHO), and other development partners.
By: John Bibor, Nwachukwu Lauritta, Chukwuma Divine Okwu, Ngerebo Patience
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Rivers

VIO Seeks Stronger Collaboration For Road Safety 

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Towards ensuring safer roads and improved transportation management in Rivers State, the Chief of the Rivers State Road Traffic and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), Engr. Akobo Monibo, says there is need for strategic collaboration with transport stakeholders in the state.
He made this known while receiving a delegation of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUTON), led by the State Chairman, Lady Larencia Chioma, during a courtesy visit to his office.
The meeting, which focused on fostering a broad-based partnership and mutual understanding aimed at enhancing ease of operations for app-based drivers across Rivers State, was also intended to promote compliance with road safety regulations and traffic management standards.
Speaking during the visit, Engr. Monibo expressed appreciation to the AUTON leadership for their willingness to collaborate with the agency in ensuring orderliness, professionalism, and safety within the transport sector.
He emphasized that road safety remains a collective responsibility and called on all transport operators, especially app-based drivers, to continue supporting government efforts geared towards reducing road accidents and improving public confidence in transportation services.
According to him, “Road safety remains the hallmark of every responsible transport system. We appreciate the understanding, cooperation, and commitment shown by AUTON towards building a safer and more organized transportation environment in Rivers State.”
On her part, the AUTON State Chairman, Lady Larencia Chioma, commended the leadership of the VIO for its openness and readiness to engage stakeholders constructively.
She assured the agency of the union’s support and cooperation in promoting lawful operations and safer roads within the state.
The visit further highlighted the importance of synergy between regulatory agencies and transport unions in advancing efficient service delivery, public safety, and sustainable transportation development in Rivers State.
By: Michael T. Abraham
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Rivers

CIFAL Global Network, UNITAR Webinar Series Holds At RSU … As Nigeria’s Energy Future Takes Centre Stage

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A coalition of international scholars and policy experts will shift global attention to Nigeria’s energy future as the second edition of a three-part webinar series examines the country’s struggle to balance economic growth, energy security and the global transition away from fossil fuels.
The webinar series, titled “The Politics of Power: Energy Security, Resource Wealth and the Global Energy Transition,” is being organised under the CIFAL Global Network and United Nations Institute for Training and Research, with sessions hosted by leading academic institutions in Australia, Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
At the session to be hosted by CIFAL Nigeria at Rivers State University (RSU), in Port Harcourt, will focus on the implications of the global energy transition for Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, amid mounting concerns over declining global dependence on fossil fuels and the challenge of expanding domestic energy access.
The organisers said the session would interrogate how Nigeria can sustain economic prosperity while pursuing a just and sustainable transition to renewable energy sources.
The webinar will feature presentations from leading scholars and energy experts, including Prof. Augustine A. Ikein, a Fulbright postdoctoral fellow and Professor Emeritus at the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State; Prof. Kingsley Okpara of the Institute of Geosciences and Environmental Management (IGEM), Rivers State University; and Dr. Uduak Akpan, a postdoctoral researcher at SOAS, University of London with extensive experience in Africa’s energy and economic transformation, including work with the African Development Bank.
According to the organisers, the webinar series is designed to bring together global perspectives on one of the defining policy questions of the 21st century — how nations rich in natural resources can achieve energy security and economic stability while advancing a fair transition to cleaner energy systems.
Participants who attend all three sessions will receive certificates of participation from the CIFAL Global Network and UNITAR, while recordings will also be made available to registered attendees.
Stakeholders, policymakers, academics and industry players have been urged to participate in the discussions and contribute to shaping the future of global energy systems.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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