News
Banigo Condoles UNIPORT Over Student’s Death …UPTH To Probe Incident
Deputy Governor of the Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has condoled with the Management and Students of the University of Port Harcourt for the untimely demise of a 200 level Theater Arts Female Student, Miss Kelechi Precious.
Dr. Banigo who was reacting to the unfortunate incident and circumstances surrounding the death of the female student, described it as a wakeup call on Hospital Authorities, Nurses and Doctors in both public and private sectors to be alive to their responsibilities to patients.
The Deputy Governor noted with sadness that such an incident happened at a time when there have been repeated calls by the Governor Wike-Led Government for Medical Practitioners to always show compassion in their Profession.
Dr. Banigo prayed God to grant the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss while calling on the Students to remain calm and desist from taking laws into their hands.
She also called on the Federal Government and the Authority of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of the student to prevent future occurrences.
Meanwhile, the management of the University of Port Harcourt teaching Hospital (UPTH) has said that the circumstances that led to the death of a female student of the University of Port Harcourt, Miss Kelechi Promise would be properly investigated.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UPTH, Prof. Aaron Ojule, who disclosed this during a chat with newsmen, said the management has met with relevant stakeholders to examine the cause of the unfortunate incident.
Ojule said the incident had generated great public interest with wild allegations against the Hospital over the death, but assured that any staff found culpable as alleged will face full punitive measures in line with extent civil service rules and professional code of ethics.
The CMD, who commiserated with the family of the deceased and the authorities of the University of Port Harcourt, called for restraint from all parties on the issue until the exact facts surrounding the incident are unraveled to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.
The CMD, also stated that the hospital, which was established to carry out tertiary medical functions, is presently over-subscribed, and now carry out secondary medical functions with overwhelming challenges of attending to about 700 to 1000 patients daily.
He, therefore, called on the government to establish more medical centres and facilities to cater for the teeming health needs of the people.
Meanwhile, workers of the hospital have abandoned their duty posts over threats to their lives following violent protests by the students and disturbances that trailed the death of the Uniport student.
According to the CMD, “This has resulted in added suffering of innocent patients in our wards”.
He appealed to the students to stop further threat to the lives and property of UPTH staff, “to avoid complete shutdown of the hospital, which could lead to further sufferings on the part of those who patronize our services”.
He also called on staff of the hospital to return to their duty posts and resume normal duties immediately in the interest of the patients as the security situation has returned to normal.
While reassuring the commitment of the hospital toward improved health care delivery services to the public, the CMD said the management will carry out a proper assessment and evaluation of the extent of damage incurred during the protest.
It would be recalled that students of the University of Port Harcourt had Monday embarked on a protest, damaging some facilities, of the hospital to register their discontent over the death of their female colleague.
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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