News

Rivers SACA Boss Identifies Milestone In HIV Response

Published

4 years ago

June 21, 2021

The Acting Executive Director (ED) of the Rivers State Agency for the Control of AIDS (RIVSACA), Dr George Nwaeke, has identified improvements in HIV/AIDS response in Rivers State.
Nwaeke, who made the identification recently at a 2-day South-South HIV Media roundtable meeting in Port Harcourt, stated that such improvements are in about ten areas of HIV/AIDS response.
In his keynote address at the occasion, Nwaeke said one of such areas is in the increase of access to HIV/AIDS services across the 23 LGAs of the state and the removal of “User Fees” for HIV/AIDS services.
The ED, who was represented by the Programme Manager, RIVSACA, Dr Naaziga Francis, said the improvement was also in terms of increase in HIV treatment sites from five in 2010, to 86, and increase of HIV testing sites from 11 in 2010 to 367.
Others are increase in sites for Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS from six in 2010 to 115; increase in trained manpower for HIV response; and reduction in stigmatization.
He also stated that the state government has provided three Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines for Early Infant Diagnosis (EID), viral load testing, including hepatitis, which also serves as a testing hub for neighbouring southern states.
He used the opportunity to call on people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS to make it a priority to access these services.
In his remark at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor PaulinusNsirim, stated the importance of the meeting, noting its timelines in the face of the emergence of Covid-19, which attracted more public health concerns at the detriment of HIV/AIDS.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Director, Public Enlightenment of the ministry, Mr Celestine Ogolo, urged the media to bring back HIV/AIDS to the front burner.
“I think that this meeting has to find a way of encouraging the media to play their own part earnestly to ensure that HIV/AIDS is brought back to the front burner, so that our people won’t think that it’s over for HIV/AIDS”, he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman, House Committee on Health, at the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Samuel Ogeh, assured participants at the meeting that the Legislature was ready to contribute its quota in HIV/AIDS response in the state by creating enabling laws.
He, however, charged relevant bodies such as RIVSACA to initiate necessary bills, assuring that it will be given priority hearing.
“It (Bill) will only come from you for me to push it. I am always available to work with you”, he said.
On her part, the South-South Zonal Coordinator of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Uduak Daniel, explained that the meeting was “to better help the media understand HIV response”, adding that “this is the third activity in this process. The last activity will come out soon”.

By: Sogbeba Dokubo

News

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

News

Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.