News
Amaechi Flags Off Polio Immunization Campaign …RSG To Grant Primary Healthcare Autonomy
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has flagged-off in the state the 2013 National Immunization Plus Days Campaign against poliomyelitis, an infectious disease that causes temporary or permanent loss of feeling in the human body.
Governor Amaechi administered oral polio vaccine to two babies, Baby Faith Tom, one year and four months old, and Baby Pamela Engofa, aged three and half years to flag off the National Immunization plus days campaign against polio at the Degema Local Government Council Headquarters, yesterday.
The governor said he was leading the polio immunization campaign in the state in line with State governors’ decision to lead the polio immunization campaign in their respective states.
He also said his administration plans to make the polio immunization campaign a daily activity in Rivers State in the government’s drive to successfully push back poliomyelitis from the state.
”Let me say that the governors’ forum in our last meeting directed that all governors must lead the polio drive and that is why this is my second time of coming to participate. The other thing to say is I know I had directed that polio immunization should be routine, I hope you are doing that, is routine, then the next directive that will follow is that either Primary Healthcare Board or Ministry of Health should liaise with all local government council chairmen and ensure that those children that they have not immunized both in schools and churches and homes should be immunized on daily basis, he said.
Amaechi further gave the assurance that his administration would further boost healthcare services in the state by building a world-class referral hospital in each of the state’s three senatorial zones.
“Finally is to tell the people of Degema, we have agreed to build three new hospitals or to rebuild three new hospitals, Degema is one to cover the Kalabari areas, I think Bori is the second one and Ahoada is the third one and I have told you the same design we used for the Emenike hospital, let us bring it forward now, advertise for contractors and let us rebuild these hospitals so that it can become referral points for the three senatorial zones”.
Introducing the flag-off of the polio immunization campaign, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker said the Amaechi administration was prepared to wipe out poliomyelitis from the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon Ibigoni Daddy Pokima in his address said the people’s search for a healthy society can only become positive when leaders formulate health policies that provide quality health to the people. He commended Governor Amaechi for providing quality health services to the people of the State.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi has announced plans to grant autonomy to the newly established Primary Health Care Agency.
Governor Amaechi gave the hint yesterday while flagging off the National immunization Plus Days campaign at Degema Town in Degema Local Government Area.
According to Amaechi, let me join the man from Primary Healthcare Agency, Abuja, to appeal to Ministry of Health, to please, allow the primary healthcare agency be.
Further calling for the independence of the body, he added ‘ in my discussion with the Commissioner for Health, I say to him, the law separates the two… I say the law did not give him an opportunity to drag any child. He should allow this child to grow on its own”
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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