News
RSG To Site CCS Centres In LGAs …Seeks House-To-House Sanitation Inspection
Rivers State Government has expressed her desire to localise the Cervical Cancer Screening Centres to bring its services closer to the people at the rural areas.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, stated this when members of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), paid her a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Banigo noted that government was determined to improving the health of the people through the provision of quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare to all its citizenry in the state, and commended the women for embarking on the cancer screening programme.
“I am glad that you carried out expansion of cervical cancer screening outside the Port Harcourt centre, by reaching out to communities, even in the riverine areas. This is commendable because not all will be able to reach the Port Harcourt Centre. It is necessary for us to make the vaccination available for our young girls and men too.” the Deputy Governor said.
Banigo also decried the poor level of sensitization in the area of breast feeding and urged them to extend their reach to the rural dwellers.
“As a country, we were recording almost 100 percent in breast feeding, but it has reduced to 17 percent.” I think you must take the challenge to educate and encourage our women to undertake exclusive breast feeding.” Banigo stated.
She charged the Doctors to bring back compassion to the medical practice to help restore confidence of Patients, while promising to assist them in their programmes to achieve set objectives.
Earlier, the President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Rivers State Branch, Dr. Adebiyi Obelebra, said they came to identify with the Deputy Governor as one of their own and to express their excitement at her elevation.
Dr Obelebra promised to partner the Wike-Led administration in implementing activities that will promote the health of women and children in the state.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has charged Environmental Health officers in the state to collaborate with government in its task of returning Port Harcourt to its Garden City status.
Banigo gave the charge when the Environmental Health Officers, from the state Ministry of Health, led by Mr. Kikpoye Philip paid her a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Deputy Governor who recalled their traditional role of “House to House” inspection, urged the sanitary officers to gear up activities that will put Residents of the state on their toes in maintaining the culture of cleanliness.
“I employ you to start House to House inspection of premises to ensure that our environments are clean and we must keep the people on their toes, to keep their homes, streets and surroundings clean and neat.” she asserted.
She noted the priority attention accorded the issue of environmental cleanliness, by the Government, that necessitated the appointment of a Sole Administrator by Governor Wike, shortly after assumption of office to tackle the huge refuse that littered the streets of Port Harcourt and its environs
Banigo lauded Governor Nyesom Wike and the Sole Administrator, Waste Management Agency, Bro. Felix Obuah for their doggedness in bringing sanity to the environment insisting that education and sensitization was necessary to achieve environmental cleanliness.
Earlier, the leader of the Environmental Health Services Unit, Public Health Department, Ministry of Health, Mr. Kikpoye Philip, congratulated the present Government on its well deserved victory at the April polls and pledged the loyalty and support of the officers to the State Government.
Mr. Philip noted the existence of a wide gap occasioned by depletion of Environmental Health Officers, as many senior officers are being retired without replacements.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.