News

Nigeria Tops High TB Burden Chart In Africa

Published

6 years ago

March 25, 2020

Nigeria has been said to be ranked highest in Tuberculosis (TB) burden in Africa.
Making this known during an event marking the commemoration of the 2020 World Tuberculosis Day (WTD) in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Princewill Chike said that apart from ranking highest among TB burden nations in Africa, Nigeria has 300,000 TB cases missing in most communities.
“The incidence of TB has remained high, with Nigeria standing at 219 in a 100,000 population. To achieve the 2030 “End TB Target”, more stakeholders’ commitment is needed as the government alone cannot achieve this lofty goal”, he said.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Ndidi Chikanele Utchay, said that in 2019, about 3,728 persons were diagnosed and treated for TB in Rivers State.
She, therefore, urged religious leaders and other stakeholders to get involved in the fight against TB in order to strengthen the collective fight to eradicate TB in the State.
Also speaking, the representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Michael Jose, who stated that TB was discovered 138 years ago by Robert Koch, noted that about 4,000 persons die daily of TB-related diseases.
Jose, who is the National Professional Officer for WHO, said that apart from the 12 approved rapid diagnostic machines for free TB diagnosis provided in Rivers State, religious institutions and other stakeholders should join hands with the government to provide additional 15 more TB diagnostic machines for the state in order to alleviate the health burden on Rivers people.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of the occasion, who is the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chinyere Chibuzor, acknowledged the influential role of religious leaders in the fight against TB.
“We, the religious leaders, are major stakeholders with overwhelming influence in our communities. I, therefore, implore you to join in this battle any way you can. A lot needs to be done, if we are to win this war”, he said.
Chibuzor, who was represented by Pastor Isaiah Gogo-Ogute, amongst others, urged religious leaders to provide diagnostic tools, advocate for their congregation to be screened for TB, and grant access to government into their outreach activities to find out missing cases.
Meanwhile, the general overseer of OPM pledged his commitment to purchase a GeneXpert machine in their health facilities to enhance diagnosis of TB in the state.
Also, the Commissioner for Health in Taraba State, Dr Innocent Vakkai, confirmed that Nigeria ranks first with Tuberculosis (TB) burden in Africa and sixth globally.
Vakkai made this known during the World Tuberculosis Day in Jalingo, yesterday.
He said 18 Nigerians die hourly from TB, while 49 develop active TB, seven of which are children, according to the KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation’s report.
He lamented that 4,000 people die of TB daily and 300,000 fall ill from preventable and curable diseases.
“TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers responsible for the death of, at least, 4,000 people each day and close to 300,000 infections,” he said.
Vakkai said that Taraba State Government had shown impressive support toward ending TB through provision of human resources, good working environment for the state team and partners.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

10 hours 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

11 hours 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

11 hours 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.