Metro
Covid-19 Lockdown Fever Grips PH Residents
The tension generated at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic seems to be reverberating across the nation, following the new upsurge in the pandemic.
In Port Harcourt, residents are already under the grip of palpable tension, over the possibility of a return of the lock down scenario and its untold consequences.
With the latest report of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, there is the rise of fatality in the pandemic especially among prominent Nigerians, who are already hounded by the disease which is now evidently man’s most mortal foe, that seems to defy solutions, posing the greatest threat to humanity. In Port Harcourt metropolis and its environs, residents are already deeply apprehensive, loathing the possibility of the sordid experience of the immediate past, that displaced the people.
A random interview by The Tide, reveals that there is palpable pall of apprehension on the part of the residents, who said they were still picking the scraps of their lives from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A food vendor, Mrs Ihifiwa Joshua said she and her family were yet to recover from the tough times of the Covid-19 pandemic. “I have been in this business for many years and my entire family including my relatives survive on it, but things became too difficult for us during this Covid-19 to the extent that I closed down, after eating up my capital during the period of lock down; I borrowed money to start up again and I do not want that experience again”.
Another respondent, Mr Desire Okeke, also expressed fear over the possibility of a lock down as a result of the new case of Covid-19 in the country.
Okeke, who is a herbalist said, it was not good for the government to just relax and wait for western solution to the Covid-19 pandemic, stating that more attention should be given to research in indigenous medicine to solve the medical challenge, especially some that appear intractable like the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Godwin Namane who also spoke with The Tide said the resurgence of the pandemic poses grave danger to the people and urged the government to handle the issue with care. He said, “it is most unfortunate, that there is a new phase of affliction by Covid-19 in Nigeria. We are struggling to come out of our experiences as a result of the series of lock downs. It is not something that the people want to experience again. We want the government to give attention to the measures of addressing not just the pandemic, but the social consequences of the pandemic, such as palliative distribution, rehabilitation which have made the people to be more afraid of the lockdown than Covid-19 itself.
Another respondent, Mr Desire Okeke, also expressed fear over the possibility of a lock down as a result of the new case of Covid-19 in the country, Okeke, who is a herbalist, said, it was not good for the government to just relax and wait for western situation to the covid 19, pandemic, stating, that more attention should be given to research in indigenous medicine to solve medical challenges, especially some that appears intractable like the covid 19 pandemic already had abiting effect on the populace, as signified by the doldrums preceding this years yuletide.
“It is already, few days to Christmas, but the normal Euphoria that characterised chrismas is not felt because of the effect of covid 19, the important thing is to be alive”.
Mrs Owunari pointed out that it was extremely difficult for parents to cope with school resumptions because of the interruptions and challenges of the moment.
“It was not easy for people like us that have four children, to get them back to school, its only God that helped us to cope with the tasks of paying schools fees and making daily provisions for the children and the entire house hold.
By: Taneh Beemene
Metro
Firm Plans Hose Manufacturing Facility, Marks 21st Anniversary
An oil servicing firm, Fairtex Group, rolled out drums last weekend to celebrate it is 21st anniversary.
The ceremony was held at its new headquarters, in Elelenwo in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area, of Rivers State where the firm acquired a massive parcel of land to build its new automobile fluid testing and hose manufacturing facilities.
It also used the event to unveil its “Equip 2026” to provide roadmap for its new diversification plans.
From a one room apartment in Ogbunabali 21 years ago, the firm has grown over the years with specialty in oil tool servicing and haulage to providing oil servicing solutions.
According to its Chairman/Executive Officer(CEO), Mr. Jacob Idungafa, the company has achieved its 2023 vision and hence, plans to diversify into automobile fluid testing and hose production for oil and chemical industrial uses.
Already, he disclosed that the company has begun talks with some South African and German firms on the setting up of a automobile jack system capable of providing jobs for the host community and impact on the nation’s economy.
The hose production is going to be a joint operation with a French firm, Aeroflex, as staffers will be sent abroad for training.
Since commencing operations in 2003, the firm has established branches in 14 countries in Africa that include Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Angola and Cote d’Ivoire.
“One unique thing is that in all of these, we have not taken any loan facility from the banks. We are prudent and resourceful, “he said.
Idungafa said further, “We are not competing with anybody. We are just beginning and there is a lot to do.”
So far, he stated that it has achieved the Vision 2023 with the acquisition of land, addingthat Equip 2026 is to serve as a launch pad for greater future for the firm.
Some staff who spoke at the 21 st anniversary praised the commitment and hard work of their CEO, saying his steadfastness has helped the firm in the path of growth over the years.
Manager, Foreign and Local Procurement, Brightness Sambo said since she joined the company, she has learnt a lot in management and networking.
In her word, “You don’t have to see the immediate results because the future is certain…We are aiming to go outside Africa.”
Human Resources Manager of Fairtex, Ngozi Ndukwe thanked God for the company and the milestones it has achieved over the years, saying “Where there is a vision, the vision does not die and with God’s grace, we are headed somewhere.”
The firm’s Principal Accounting Officer, lbaraibim Ogolo said since she joined the company, she has grown in her professional competency, describing the CEO as a role model and hardworking personality.
Highlights of the 21st anniversary included a thanksgiving service at Just Jesus Assembly, Port Harcourt, a party at the company’s new site, special performance by staffers and cutting of the anniversary cake by the Managing Director and other guests.
By: Kevin Nengia
Metro
ELTHAN Celebrates World Poetry Day In PH
As part of activities to celebrate this year’s World Poetry Day, the English Language Teachers Association of Nigeria (ELTHAN), Rivers State Branch organised poetry sensitisation day for young secondary school students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The event was held at Community Secondary School Elelenwo, as students from Archdeacon Brown Educational Centre, Woji and Government Girls Secondary School, Elelenwo participated.
Chairman of the programme, Dr. Sunday Igbigibereibim said the event is to raise public awareness on the importance of literature.
“ELTHAN sees this as a challenge and that is why we commemorate 21st March yearly as provided by the United Nations Educational Scientific Council (UNESCO)”, he stated.
He noted that literature is art, “there is need for literary scholars and enthusiasts all over the world to promote Literature.”
While counselling the students on how they can make a career from Literature, Dr. Igbigibereibim pointed out that a shift has occurred over the years from impressionistic to target writing.
On her part, State Secretary of ELTHAN, Salome Ikokoyo decried the decline of literature in the society.
She revealed that in the past years, students’ performance in Literature examinations has been abysmal.
Ikokoyo stated that, “ I think what is happening is a reflection of what the teachers do in the classroom. It’s a reflection of teachers’ performance. And it’s our responsibility as teachers to do what we are paid for.”
Once teachers of Literature improve in their teaching techniques, Ikokoyo believes that students’ performance will also improve.
On the other hand, she tasked students to put in more effort, “they need to read the text books, even though some of them are not interesting, but that is where hardwork is needed.”
Students from Archdeacon Brown Educational Centre, who spoke to The Tide Metro said they were motivated by performance.
One of the students, Esther Ogbebo said she learnt a lot from performance poetry, “ I would prefer Literature for leisure, but for those, who have the passion, they can pursue their career”.
For Deborah Ebiunor, the presentations were exciting, as she lamented that,” Literature is not being promoted in the country. And students need to be encouraged to learn.”
Highlights of the programme included dance, drama and poetry performance by some students, and from the popular folk poet, Biokpo Joshua.
Metro
‘PH Water Project Nearing Completion’
The ongoing Port Harcourt water and Sanitation Project (PHWSSP) is nearing 100 percent completion, says the Managing Director of the Rivers State Water Corporation, Chief Ibibia Walter.
The project was slowed down during the last quarter of 2023 and early this year, it has got a boost when Sir. Siminialayi Fubara administration approved compensation for some residents whose properties were affected by the water pipe expansion.
The Port Harcourt water project when completed is expected to cater for quality water needs of residents of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of the State.
The Rivers State Government is working on the scheme to revive water and sanitation provision in the metropolis.
Based on the updated Replacement Action Plan (RAP), the payment of compensation has paved the way for the completion of the project.
African Development Bank whose counterpart funding had been stalled had since resumed after the government approval and subsequent release of funds for the project development objectives to be achieved by the middle of the year.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Rivers State Water Corporation, Chief Walter had expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the elevation of King Ateke Tom, Amanyanabo of Ancient Okochiri Kingdom to First Class stool and the promise to continue the Isaka Jetty project abandoned by the last administration.
Chief Walter who hails from Okrika is an indigene of Isaka and Chairman of Isaka Council of Chiefs as he expressed happiness over the developments.
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