Nation
WED: ‘RSG Committed To Ecosystem Restoration’
The Rivers State Government has restated its readiness to ensure that policies on the restoration of the ecosystem are complied with, the Permanent Secretary Rivers State Ministry of Environment Dr. Nduye C.T Briggs who said this at a press briefing to mark the 2021, World Environment Day in Port Harcourt. Dr Briggs also called for a halt to illegal refining of crude oil, and bunkering activities, burning of refuse, especially plastics and other hazardous wastes, indiscriminate felling of trees and bush burning.
He said the activities not only affect the oil quality and the Ozone layer but also pollute the surface and underground waters.
The permanent secretary said while the government was doing its best to protect the environment, citizens must play a key role in ensuring environmental sustainability.
On your parts, you should also protect and preserve the environment and avoid destruction of ecosystems.
“ We must realise that air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, climate change, global warming, Ozone layer depletion, noise pollution, soot, over population, are all major issues affecting our environment” he said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly says its ready to assist in making laws to strengthen the ecosystem restoration campaign.
Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Hon Dumle Mao also said at the briefing that extant laws must be enforced to strengthen the campaign for environmental restoration.
He charged public health officers to be active to take responsibilities as there are extant laws that can be enforced to bring to justice of those destroying the environment.
The law maker also charged the ministry to spread the campaign to all nooks and crannies of the state, stressing that there is need for stakeholders’ engagement on the issue.
He also condemned the continuous dumping of plastic wastes on the river and stressed the need for attitudinal change on the part of members of the society.
The briefing was attended by members of the civil societies, civil servants and other stakeholders.
It also features the planting of trees. It would be recalled that the theme for this year’s World Environment Day was ‘ Ecosystem Restoration’.
By: John Bibor & Richard Barine Leeleebari
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
A pan-Nigeria organisation committed to the promotion and preservation of indigenous languages, Indigenous Language and Culture Promoters (ILCP), has called for the deliberate development and compulsory teaching of indigenous languages in both primary and secondary schools across the country.
The group made the call during its maiden Congress held in Bori, Rivers State, which was convened to examine challenges hindering the official adoption and effective teaching of Ogoni languages in schools.
Speaking at the Congress, the Executive Director of the organisation, HRC Mene Magnus Edooh, Amb.P, emphasised the critical role of indigenous languages in preserving a people’s culture, values and history. He warned against the gradual extinction of native languages, noting that language loss equates to identity loss.
“Years ago, Latin was a language of global relevance, but today it is largely extinct. We do not want Ogoni languages to suffer a similar fate. As a people, we cannot afford to lose our identity through the death of our languages,” Edooh said.
He explained that the Indigenous Language and Culture Promoters was established to collaborate with language stakeholders to ensure that children and younger generations remain connected to their mother tongues. The organisation also appealed to governments at all levels, as well as relevant institutions and individuals, to take strategic actions aimed at promoting and sustaining Nigeria’s indigenous languages.
Also speaking, the newly appointed Director of Media and Information, Prince David N. Gbarato, questioned the rationale behind government reluctance to accord indigenous languages their rightful place in national development policies.
According to him, “People with well-developed languages are people with well-developed indigenous systems and affairs,” stressing that language development is fundamental to cultural and societal advancement.
The Congress further served as a platform for the ratification of key officers of the organisation and featured the participation of representatives from various indigenous language groups and other language stakeholders, all of whom echoed the call for renewed commitment towards safeguarding Nigeria’s linguistic heritage.
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