Niger Delta
RRT Excites Palliatives Beneficiary With COVID-19 Sensitization …As Clergy Harps On Importance Of Skills Acquisition
A beneficiary of Covid-19 palliatives in St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Chokota, Mrs Hannah Okere, has expressed excitement over sensitization carried out by the Rapid Response Team(RRT) in her church, St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Chokota, in Etche LGA.
Speaking to newsmen, Mrs Okere said the sensitization was the first of its kind she has witnessed since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Rivers State.
According to her, her excitement is necessitated by the awareness the sensitization has created in her on how to prevent COVID-19 infection.
”When I get home, I will teach my children and grand children on how to prevent being infected with the coronavirus”, she said.
Mrs Okere, who benefitted from the food palliatives given to members of the church by the Vicar of the church, Rev. Cannon Christian Amadi, also appreciated his gesture.
On his part, Rev Cannon Amadi said the food palliatives given to members of the church was in accordance with the mandate of the church to reach out to members.
”what we are doing today is the mandate of the Diocese to reach out to the people and give them food, encourage and sensitize them on the need to stay safe as well as take responsiblity”, he said.
He explained that as part of efforts in empowering members of the church, some members were trained in the skill of producing nose mask.
”Infact, all the nose mask you see the women wear are produced by another woman, who is a member of the church.
“She produced it through our entrepreneurship programme which has also empowered several persons to enable them start their various businesses”, he said.
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Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has launched a grassroots security intelligence network, named, ”Homeland Safety and Security Agency,” to strengthen community-based surveillance and enhance safety across the state.
Otu, who inaugurated the agency’s office in the Southern Senatorial District of the state on Monday, in Calabar, said similar offices were being inaugurated in the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.
The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar, said the officials of the agency would serve as first point of call before matters would be escalated to main security architecture in the state.
He described Homeland Security as an intelligence-driven structure focused on neighbourhood monitoring and early threat detection through coordinated local efforts.
He said the initiative constituted the directors and field operatives, tasked with gathering and forwarding intelligence to relevant security agencies for prompt action.
Otu noted that the network would serve as a first point of contact before intervention by conventional security agencies.
“It is important that we enhance monitoring of movements across our communities, border areas, and riverine zones to identify suspicious activities and enhance security response.
“The state government will provide necessary gadgets and communication tools to improve efficiency and real-time intelligence sharing,” he said.
Otu called for public cooperation, stressing that ‘’security is a collective responsibility requiring timely information from residents.’’
He said, ‘’to ensure that the security outfit works like a model unit, proper screening would be conducted on the volunteers to weed out undesirable elements from the system.’’
The Tide’s source reports that the Governor handed over 14 motor bikes to the agency’s southern Senatorial district office to enhance their efficiency.
On his part, the Director-General, South of the agency, Mr. Michael Nsan, said the volunteers had played key roles in reducing crime through coordinated patrols and intelligence sharing.
Nsan said over 1,300 volunteers currently supported the operations with additional informants providing critical information across communities.
“Crime rates dropped significantly during the last festive period due to our collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the state,” he said.
The Director-General said volunteers would undergo training and screening, with plans underway for formal recruitment through a government employment portal.
According to him, communication tools, including walkie-talkies, and patrol motorcycles had improved rapid response to security incidents.
He commended the governor’s commitment, noting that the initiative would further strengthen security architecture and community safety across the state.
The source reports that some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion were traditional rulers and government officials.
The Edo State Government has defended its performance in office so far, saying ongoing projects in infrastructure, healthcare, education and security showed clear progress despite criticism from the opposition.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the State, Prince Kasim Afegbua, stated this at a news conference held in Benin on Wednesday.
Afegbua said the Statement Governor, Monday Okpebholo, had been focused on addressing inherited challenges rather than engaging in propaganda.
He described the recent protests against the government as driven by “faceless actors,” questioning the credibility of those behind the protests.
The Commissioner also dismissed claims that the state was stagnating.
“The current Edo narrative is cheering news to the average Edo mind. We are not into propaganda. What we are doing, you can see for yourselves”, he said.
Afegbua anchored the government’s defence on infrastructure, pointing at the ongoing and completed road projects across the state.
He also listed the near-completion of the Ramat Park flyover and a second flyover at Aduwawa Junction as some of the new infrastructural developments being carried out by the Okpebholo administration.
He also cited rehabilitation works on Sapele Road, previously abandoned, as well as multiple urban and rural road projects, spanning Edo South, Central and North Senatorial Districts.
“In 18 months, we can beat our chest that the Governor has done so much to advance critical infrastructure”, he said, noting that road construction was being accelerated despite early rains affecting timelines.
Afegbua also highlighted interventions in the education sector, stating that about 6,500 teachers had been recruited, alongside rehabilitation of dilapidated schools previously lacking basic facilities, such as desks, roofs and toilets.
“Today, you can go around and see the difference,” he said.
The Commissioner added that completed school projects had risen from 68 at the administration’s one-year mark to nearly 80.
In healthcare, he said the state government had expanded primary healthcare access by already constructing 75 centres, with a target of 160 within four years.
He said many of the facilities had been equipped to deliver immediate services at the grassroots, while work had resumed on Stella Obasanjo Hospital which, he said, was inherited at 55 per cent completion.
“We are strengthening primary healthcare because it is the first point of contact for our people,” he said.
On higher education, Afegbua disclosed that the state recently committed N2 billion to infrastructure development at Edo State University, Iyamho, while also increasing its monthly subvention from N100 million to N250 million.
Government, he said, had also provided buses to support students’ mobility.
Beyond infrastructure and social services, he pointed at the economic support initiatives, including a N1 billion interest-free loan scheme for market women and another N1 billion set aside for students’ bursaries.
All these, he noted, were aimed at easing economic pressure and expanding access to education.
While acknowledging that security incidents had shifted from urban centres to the hinterlands, Afegbua, however, maintained that overall security had improved significantly in the state.
“The way kidnapping was rife when we took over, I think it has dropped maximally,” he said, citing bush-combing operations, arrests and destruction of criminal hideouts.
He also stated that government had procured over 100 Hilux vans and 300 motorcycles for security agencies.
Similarly, he said government had supported the local vigilante operations and established a rapid response mechanism for road maintenance and emergency interventions.
Afegbua further said that local governments had been empowered with heavy-duty equipment to open rural roads and improve mobility, describing the decentralised approach as critical to grassroots development.
“We need the cooperation of everyone. Security is not just about government; it is about collective responsibility,” he added.
Responding to concerns about transparency, particularly around contract costs, the commissioner insisted that all projects followed due procurement processes and were approved by the State Executive Council.
“If you check with the Ministry of Works, you can always get the cost of those contracts,” he said, stressing that the administration was prudent in resource management.
The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has urged eligible youths in the state to take advantage of the ongoing Nigerian Army 91 Regular Recruit Intake by enlisting in the Army.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, in Benin.
According to the statement, the call followed the scheduled visit of the Nigerian Army sensitisation team to the state from April 8 to April 14.
It noted that the visit is aimed at engaging, guiding and supporting prospective applicants through the recruitment process.
The Governor, however, urged qualified young men and women in the state to participate in the exercise.
“The opportunity offers a pathway to meaningful employment, national service and personal development through the Nigerian Army recruitment process.
“I urge Edo youths to come forward in large numbers to improve the state’s participation and meet its national quota in the Army recruitment exercise.
“It is a chance for young Edo people to build disciplined and purposeful careers,” he said.
Okpebholo also urged parents, guardians, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious institutions and youth organisations to mobilise and encourage eligible candidates within their communities to take part in the exercise.
He added that interested applicants should visit the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal for full details on eligibility, requirements and application procedures.
The Governor further advised candidates to ensure that all necessary documents are complete before presenting themselves at designated sensitisation centres during the stated period.
“The Edo State Government remains committed to creating opportunities for youths and calls for collective support to ensure the success of this exercise,” he said.
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