Residents of Rivers State have been called upon to actively promote the programmes of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) to enhance awareness and boost enrolment across the state.
The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of RIVCHPP, Dr. Vetty Agala, made the appeal during a sensitisation and enrolment engagement held at the palace of the Eze-elect of Oyigbo, Eze Samuel N. Azuh, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Dr. Agala was represented at the event by the Head of Planning of the agency, Dr. Juliet Aleme.
She emphasised that increased awareness of the health insurance scheme would enable more residents to understand and benefit from the initiative, which is designed to provide access to quality healthcare services without financial hardship at the point of need.
According to her, RIVCHPP is a comprehensive health insurance scheme open to residents across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State. She noted that the programme reflects the commitment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to improving the welfare of citizens, particularly by ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare.
Dr. Agala further disclosed that both the federal and state governments have already covered health insurance premiums for a segment of the population classified as vulnerable, urging more residents to enrol and take advantage of the scheme.
In his response, the Eze-elect of Oyigbo, Eze Samuel N. Azuh (Eze Oha III), expressed appreciation to RIVCHPP and Pamo University for bringing the sensitisation and health outreach to the community. He commended the state government for sustaining the initiative and assured that his people would embrace the opportunity to enrol.
The traditional ruler, however, appealed for an expansion of the vulnerable category to accommodate more citizens. He also urged the agency to include coverage for eye-related ailments and surgical procedures in its benefit package.
Earlier, the Head of Community Medicine at Pamo University, Iriebe, Dr. Chidinma Opara, revealed that research conducted by 600-level medical students indicated low awareness of RIVCHPP programmes and poor utilisation of primary healthcare centres in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
She explained that the findings prompted the institution to collaborate with RIVCHPP to intensify awareness campaigns, particularly targeting underserved communities, to ensure wider access to the scheme’s benefits.
As part of the collaboration, a facility visit was conducted to the Pamo University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, for an on-the-spot assessment of its facilities. Discussions are currently underway between RIVCHPP and the hospital’s management to onboard the facility as a service provider for enrollees under the scheme.
The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by RIVCHPP to expand its reach and strengthen healthcare delivery across Rivers State.

As part of activities marking World Oral Health Day 2026, Pepsodent has intensified efforts to promote oral hygiene among Nigerian children, reaching 51 schools across 17 states through a nationwide school activation campaign.
The initiative, executed simultaneously in major cities including Port Harcourt, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Awka, Enugu, Abuja, Lagos, Yenagoa, Calabar, Uyo and Benin City, among others, provided an opportunity to educate pupils on proper oral hygiene practices through interactive sessions and demonstrations.
Observed annually on March 20, World Oral Health Day is aimed at equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to maintain good oral health—an essential component of overall well-being and quality of life.
Through the campaign, thousands of pupils were engaged in practical learning activities designed to instill healthy habits such as brushing twice daily, reducing sugar intake, and maintaining regular dental check-ups. The outreach underscores Pepsodent’s commitment to preventive oral care and early education.
Speaking at the Lagos activation held at Temidire Primary School, Oke-Odo, Alimosho, the Brand Manager, Pepsodent, Lauretta Amie, said the initiative reflects the brand’s long-standing focus on building healthy habits among children.
According to her, the campaign combines education with interactive learning experiences to help children better understand the importance of oral hygiene while encouraging consistency both at school and at home.
“At Pepsodent, we understand that maintaining healthy teeth goes beyond occasional brushing; it is about building daily habits that protect overall health. Through our ‘Do The 2’ campaign, we are encouraging families to adopt brushing twice a day as a simple but effective routine,” she said, adding that the brand remains committed to supporting communities with the right tools and education.
Also speaking, the Education Secretary of Alimosho Local Government, Dr. Aminat Ige, commended the initiative, noting that bringing the campaign directly to schools would significantly boost awareness among pupils and their families.
A Dental Surgeon, Dr. Abraham Akinbami, described the programme as a timely intervention, stressing the importance of targeting young people for behavioural change.
“It is encouraging to see Unilever, through Pepsodent, driving oral hygiene awareness among children, who are more receptive to adopting healthy habits early in life,” he said.
In her remarks, the Headteacher of Temidire Primary School, Moninuola Lawal, expressed appreciation to Unilever Nigeria Plc for the initiative, noting that it would create a ripple effect as children take the knowledge home to influence healthier practices within their families.
She added that the interactive sessions and demonstrations would leave lasting impressions on pupils, helping them develop lifelong oral care habits.
The school activation campaign forms part of Pepsodent’s broader strategy to expand access to oral health education in Nigeria, reinforcing its commitment to empowering children with the knowledge and tools needed for healthier lives.

The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Odu, has stressed the need to amplify women’s voices, strengthen mentorship, and promote collaboration across generations and sectors as key drivers of gender equality and sustainable development.
Prof. Odu made the call on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, during the “Mentoring the Next Generation” programme and joint commemoration of International Women’s Day and World Water Day, organized by the International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) at Rivers State University.
She described the Women Elders Forum as a critical platform for dialogue, mentorship, and advocacy, noting that such initiatives play a vital role in equipping young advocates with the guidance, inspiration, and confidence needed to champion inclusive development.
According to the Deputy Governor, mentorship remains an essential tool for societal progress, as it bridges generational gaps and fosters leadership capacity among emerging changemakers.
Highlighting the significance of collaboration, Prof. Odu commended the convergence of government, academia, and civil society at the event, emphasising that strong partnerships are necessary for inclusive governance and sustainable impact.
“You can see that today all three sectors are here under one roof. Such partnerships are essential in promoting inclusive governance and achieving meaningful long-term impact,” she said.
She urged stakeholders to remain committed to nurturing future leaders and creating opportunities that are accessible to all, while also commending UNITAR and CIFAL for their contributions to development initiatives.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, noted that the joint celebration of International Women’s Day and World Water Day serves to highlight the resilience and contributions of women, particularly in water management and conservation.
He said the occasion provides a platform to amplify Nigerian voices while promoting sustainable access to clean water through women’s active participation in governance and resource management.
Delivering a keynote address titled “Inclusive Leadership: Building Institutions that Reflect All Voices,” Chairman of the occasion, Dame Ibim Semenitari, described mentorship as a vital pathway to inclusive leadership.
She explained that effective mentorship goes beyond guidance to include access, exposure, and the transfer of opportunities, stressing the need for a shift from traditional hierarchical models to more collaborative and structured engagements.
“Where mentorship flows, leadership grows. Where mentorship is blocked, inequality deepens,” she said.
Also speaking, the Director of CIFAL Nigeria, Mrs. Ihuoma Njemanze, explained that the CIFAL Global Initiative, established in 2003 and coordinated by UNITAR, focuses on training and multi-stakeholder collaboration in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
She added that CIFAL centres are spread across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, with the Port Harcourt Centre established through an agreement signed by Prof. Odu.
The event brought together stakeholders from various sectors to promote dialogue and collective action toward gender equality, inclusive leadership, and sustainable development.