RSG Pledges Support For Orphans, Vulnerable Children

Rivers State Government says it will ensure the success of the USAID’s Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s programme in the State.
Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, stated this when the Country Director and Head of delegation of United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), and Family Health International (FHI) 360) paid her an advocacy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Banigo noted that the State government is passionate about the welfare of vulnerable and orphan children in the state and will do all it can to take them off the streets.
“The important thing is not just that the programme will be successful but we will ensure its sustenance for the sake of the vulnerable children”, she stated.
According to her, Governor Nyesom Wike had demonstrated sincere commitment for the plight of the less-privileged in society which is captured in his policy frame work and lauded the agencies for their synergy.
The Deputy Governor stressed the need for proper monitoring of the progress of the programme, to include stakeholders like the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission and those at the grassroots towards achieving set objectives.
Banigo, also urged the stakeholders to extend the awareness campaign by involving the State Primary Healthcare Board to reach rural communities, noting that the sustenance of the programme would be guaranteed with the commitment of all stakeholders.
Banigo assured foreign partners in the state that the Wike-led administration has taken adequate measures with security agencies to ensure that law-abiding citizens go about their normal businesses undisturbed.
“We know that security is a global problem but I assure you that this government is on top of the security situation in the State”, she asserted.
Also, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Ms. Kadilo Brown and her Health counterpart, Dr. Somiari Isaac Harry appealed to relevant ministries to uphold their commitment to the programme.
According to them, a pilot scheme has been initiated in five local government areas of the state, covering the three Senatorial Districts and assured the determination of the relevant Ministries to drive the process.
Earlier, the Country Director, USAID and leader of the delegation Dr. Susan Coleman, stressed the need to step up the control of HIV/AIDS in the rural communities, noting that the fight against the disease has not been won.
She disclosed that USAID had supported over 600,000 people in Nigeria, including Rivers State within 10 years of existence in the country.