News
Banigo Seeks End To Health Workers Strike
The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has called on the Medical and Health Workers Union, Primary Healthcare Sector, to suspend its one year old strike in the interest of the people of the state.
Banigo made the call during a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Health, Primary Healthcare Management Board and the leadership of the state Medical and Health Workers Union to broker peace in her office in Port Harcourt.
She explained that the primary healthcare workers perform a critical role in the prevention of communicable and childhood killer diseases such as measles, whooping cough and poliomyelitis.
The deputy governor noted that the Primary Healthcare Management Board and the local government councils refused to work closely, thereby paralysing the health sector over issues that could be resolved amicably.
Banigo appealed to the health workers to return to work immediately and allow the state government address the issues that necessitated the strike, adding that the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration is a government that keeps its promises.
“You can be rest assured that as important as the issues raised are, you should believe in us, to find a lasting solution to this lingering crisis that has brought untold hardship to our people,” she stated.
The deputy governor explained that the present government places premium on the provision of effective healthcare services to the people of the state, noting that the health workers’ strike has adversely affected the health care needs of the citizens.
She said that the state government would soon inaugurate the Local Government Service Commission to be headed by a former council chairman and an experienced administrator, stressing that their matter would be one of the first issues to be handled by the new commission.
Banigo thanked the health workers for their willingness towards resolving contending issues, and reiterated the readiness of the state government to provide infrastructural facilities that would improve healthcare delivery in the state.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Somieri Isaac-Harry, had said that the primary healthcare system has been in comatose following the strike embarked upon by the health workers in the state.
He, however, expressed optimism over the quick resolution of the impasse by the present administration and thanked the deputy governor for her efforts in offering lasting solutions.
On her part, the Executive Secretary of Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr. Claribel Abam, noted that the state has lost its leading position in Primary healthcare services, due to the strike action by the Health workers.
Also speaking, the state Chairman, Medical and Health Workers Union Primary Healthcare Sector, Comrade Reuben Wecheonwu, traced the one year old industrial action to the inequality in the salaries of the primary health workers as against their counterparts at the state level due to the refusal of local government councils to implement the consolidated Salary Structure.
Wecheonwu said the refusal of the councils to implement their promotion arrears, regular salaries and entitlements had placed the workers and their families in a precarious situation.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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