Rivers
Don Tasks Religious Practitioners On National Dev
Religious practitioners in the country have been urged to contribute to the national development by sensitizing their followers on the need to embrace, peace, and co-existence among the component unit of the federation.
A lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Wellington Wotogbe-Weneka, gave the charge while delivering his inaugural lecture, titled “Religion: Modern Denigrators and Rehabilitators in National Development,” held at Ebitimi Banigo hall, University of Port Harcourt, Thursday.
Prof. Wotogbe-Weneka opined that development of any nation begins with the individual’s level of discipline and believe system. “It therefore, behoves on the leaders of the respective religious sects to inculcate the spirit of love, peace, unity and honesty in the mind of their follower’s he added, noting that with this kind of positive mind set the nation will move forward.
He posited that no religion preaches violence and that if religious sects practice what their religion prescribes, there can be no bombing, killing corruption and other societal vices.
The theologian, argued that moral decadence is an aberration of religion adding “that morality guides us national development. Any religion that does not teach morality to their members is not contributing to the nation building, because only love for one another can move the country forward”.
He recommended that all the religious bodies should be properly scrutinized while those that has no know pedigree should be banned as such group could not be contributing to the development of the country.
He declared that there is no good or bad religion, noting that the practitioners are at the centre of every religion.
Niger Delta
Rivers Begins, Supplemental Polio Vaccination, Morrow

The Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board (RSPHCMB) says it will commence Supplemental Immunization activities on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to vaccinate children from 0-5 years across the State.
The State Health Educator, Dr. Diana Babbo, who stated this during a sensitisation meeting with Media Advocate for Health, Rivers State, on the update of immunization exercise in Rivers State, said the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) is a re-enforcement of the routine immunization at the health facilities.
According to her, it is aimed at boosting polio immunisation against the circulating variance of polio virus currently threatening the total eradication of polio in the country.
She further stated that there are four pillars of polio eradication, namely routine immunization (administered on babies in the health centre), supplemental immunization activity (supplements to boost the babies), surveillance (searching for children that have weakness in their legs or some oart of their bodies), and outbreak response.
The Health Educator noted that the Novel Oral Polio Vaccination Type 2 (NOPV 2) will be administered to children under the age of 0-5 years, which targets a specific polio still in existence in communities and capable of causing paralysis among the stated categories of children, despite the country being certified a polio-free nation.
Dr. Babbo further stated that this year’s NIPDs will address the high number of unresolved non-compliance cases in the State.
She debunked what she tagged a false rumour by mischief makers which claimed that the vaccines are responsible for the development of autism in children.
She said, “vaccines are not known to be responsible for the development of autism. We’re just hearing that. The truth is that one cannot know everything.
“That aspect that has been found, have we looked into other aspects, such as genetically modified foods, drinks, and milks that our children are taking?
“Have we also looked at genetic compatibility between couples before we now say vaccines are causing x, y, z things?
“Are we looking at the environment where these things are happening, what they are peculiar to?
“It must not be peculiar to all the families, there could be something also that’s happening around that we have not known. Research is evolving, let us not accuse our precious vaccines that have succeeded so far in my knowledge, to keep as many sicknesses at bay.
“The reason we do not have small pox in our world today, apart from the lab (a bio-lab) is because we vaccinated to the point where we were able to move small pox totally out of existence from human beings. We can succeed with that same pattern with all kinds of viruses”.
She stated that the connection between autism and vaccination could merely be coincidence.
Babbo, therefore, urged all parents, churches, and school owners to avail their children/wards the opportunity to be vaccinated against polio the stated exercise.
Sogbeba Dokubo
Rivers
Security Agencies Engage Rivers Communities On Pipeline Protection

Security agencies have initiated discussions with communities in Rivers State to safeguard pipelines and other critical national assets situated in their domain.
The Commissioner of Police in the State, Olugbenga Adepoju, announced this development in a statement in Port Harcourt.
Adepoju stated that the talks were necessary to ease tension in the State.
He disclosed that the state’s Sole Administrator, retired Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, had directed security agencies to collaborate closely with local communities to protect critical infrastructures.
According to him, security agencies participating in the initiative include the Police, Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
“These engagements with the communities aim to foster collaboration between security agencies and local stakeholders for the protection of critical national assets”, Adepoju explained.
He stated that the discussions commenced on April 25 between security operatives and community representatives in Abua/Odual, Emohua, Tai, Ogu/Bolo, Okirika and Eleme Local Government Areas (LGAs).
“During the dialogues with the community stakeholders, we addressed prevailing security issues and the general welfare of the residents.
“These discussions are essential in enhancing synergy between the communities and security agencies to protect vital infrastructure for the benefit of the national economy.
“The engagements also sought to identify challenges facing the communities beyond security, which will be communicated to the government for necessary attention , he stated.
The Commissioner of Police stated that during the meeting with stakeholders in Tai LGA, residents requested the rehabilitation of the Soghai Farm and creation of job opportunities.
Other issues raised by the people of Tai included insufficient staffing at health centres and schools in Bunu, Seme and Nonwa communities.
In Ogu/Bolo LGA, Adepoju reported that residents demanded the construction of a befitting police station, youth empowerment and employment initiatives, and an end to frequent robberies and kidnappings on the waterways.
“In Okirika LGA, stakeholders identified armed robbery as a major concern in the area and requested an increased police presence.
“They also called for the establishment of modular refineries, JAMB CBT centres, vocational training for youths, empowerment schemes for women, and the rehabilitation of the Daka Market”, he stated.
Adepoju further noted that during the engagement in Eleme LGA, residents expressed concerns over persistent electricity shortages and alleged criminal activities by herders in the area.
According to him, the people of Eleme also appealed to security agencies to intensify patrols and undertake a mop-up operation to remove illegal arms.
“In Emohua, community stakeholders appealed for adequate funding for local security outfits and the rehabilitation of primary healthcare centres.
“In Abua/Odual, residents urged the Sole Administrator of the State to initiate infrastructure projects, including the construction of roads, healthcare facilities, potable water systems, and youth empowerment programmes”, Adepoju concluded.
Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
Rivers
Ibas Preaches Peace In Emohua
As part of measures to curb incessant crisis in their communities, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ikwe Ibas (rtd.) has charged the people of Emohua to cooporate with security agencies to ensure lasting peace in their communities.
Ibas stated this recently during an interactive session at the Ngozi Kekwaru Pavilion in Rumuakunde, the Emohua Council Headquarters.
The Sole Administrator, who was represented by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, and a delegation of Service Chiefs across the Military, in his speech, said the session was imperative for the sole administrator to be acquainted with the challenges facing the people.
He noted that when such challenges are identified, solutions will be proffered, adding that he is keen on initiating developmental projects that will impact on the lives of the populace.
He also charged the people to synergise with security outfits in their domains, tasking them to jealously guard all critical infrastructures relevant to the Federal Government and those that serve them as a people.
“We want unity, we want everyone to work together so that the Sole Administrator can have enough time to develop what he can as he is interested in your welfare and can do what he feels you need most”, he said.
In his remarks, the Administrator of Emohua Local Government Council, Franklin Ajinwo, disclosed that the essence of the session was to discuss the affairs of the Local Government Area bordering on such areas as security of lives and properties, peaceful coexistence, environmental sanitation, conflict resolution, and access to health care.
Ajinwo also enjoined everyone to align with the mandate of promoting peace across all frontiers, saying it is the panacea to attract more development, describing the Local Government as one of the safest and most peaceful in the State.
He lauded the Divisional Police Officers in the area over what he described as a job well done and thanked the Service Chiefs for their visit.
Issues highlighted by various speakers facing the Emohua people include security, youth restiveness, dilapidated and abandoned projects across the area, unemployment, poor power supply, bad roads chieftaincy tussles and improved agricultural practices.
Participants were drawn from the traditional institutions, clergy, youth groups, women and men organisations and the physically challenged.
The event climaxed with an inspection tour of some projects in Ogbakiri and Ibaa communities.
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