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HIV/AIDs: NGOs Want Release Of Allocation

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16 years ago

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Members of a coalition known as the “Enugu state HIV and AIDS Budget Monitors” and an Enugu based Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO), Women Information Network (WINET), have raised serious alarm over what they described as non- release of Sectoral budgetary allocations to some ministries and agencies in the state, such as the Enugu State Action Committee on AIDS (ENSACA), Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry by the Enugu State Government.

Briefing newsmen Thursday on behalf of other members of the coalition on the outcome of Budget Tracking and Advocacy(HABTA) Project, carried out by the coalition and funded by Mac-Arthur Foundation, Miss Martha Onyia, of the Coalition of Enugu State Support Group Organisation (CESSGO), stated that over N159.5 million allocated to the affected ministries and agencies by the Enugu State Government in its 2008 and 2009 Budgets “is yet to be released to them till date.”

Their words: “Our findings during the visits showed that funds allocated to the ministries and Enugu state Action Committee on HIV and AIDS in Enugu state 2008 and 2009 fiscal years for HIV and AIDS activities had not been released to the implementing agency and ministries.”

Continuing, members of the coalition further said: “The officers, the ministries and agency assigned to respond to our questions regretted that non-release of budgetary allocations for HIV and AIDS activities  had made it impossible for them to carry out their proposed activities.”

At Ameke- Ngwo and Amokwe communities in Udi local government Area of the state, where WINET has its two projects, the story was not different as those interviewed confirmed that the N2 million budgeted for HIV and AIDS prevention and control, as well as the N6 million also budgeted for construction of Abia health centre and rehabilitation of health centres at Ngwo-Uno Nsude and Affa were not implemented owing to non-release of budgetary allocations by the state government.

Hear them: “We regret that non- release of the budget has made it difficult for the government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to implement their annual work plan on HIV and AIDS activities.”

The coalition, however, appealed to the Enugu State government to provide health care and counselling services at the primary health care level to make it  more accessible to the people living with the virus in rural communities of the state.

Present during the media interaction held in WINET conference room included Reverend Jonathan Emenikeh, of the Enugu state HIV and AIDS budget Monitors, Miss Ijeoma Ogbonna of WINET, among others.

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.
This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”
She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.
As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.
A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.
The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.
By John Bibor
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Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.
On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.
Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.
It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.
The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.
Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.
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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.
The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.
The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.
It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.
The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.
Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.
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