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More Access To Health In Rivers …As RSG Partners ICRC In Rural Coverage
As part of measures to improve healthcare delivery, the Rivers State Government said it has put measures in place to ensure there is safe access to healthcare institutions, facilities and workers across the communities in the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Theophilus Odagme, made this disclosure in Port Harcourt during a press interview on the resolution of the various stakeholders in the healthcare sector, following discussions of various committees constituted on April 12, 2016 to find workable solutions that could bridge the gaps that threaten healthcare in rural communities in the state.
Odagme said: “This meeting is put in place today, with the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) in a bid to talk policy issues identified by the various stakeholders. We have looked at the legal frame work to ensure that we make healthcare safe. When we talk about healthcare, we are talking about the health facilities, workers and everyone that needs to be attended to in the health sector, so that they are safe.”
He noted that various groups such as the security agencies, healthcare workers, civil society organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were involved, noting that there was the need for the formulation of strategies to reach all stakeholders.
According to him, “We try to formulate strategies to reach them at the community levels, in the creeks, wherever they are, so they have respect for healthcare system and facilities because when healthcare is affected, whether by kidnap of a healthcare worker or attack on healthcare institution or any healthcare facility, including ambulances, the community suffers.
“So, by this collaboration with ICRC, we want to stem the tide of attacks on the healthcare workers, facilities and system because it is not the business of healthcare institutions alone, it affects the communities too”.
Odagme emphasised that in order to stem the tide, all stakeholders, including the Rivers State Government, ICRC, private practitioners, CSOs, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), the security agencies, among others, must be involved.
Odagme emphasized further that one of the ways to minimize healthcare deficit in the state is by incorporating the trained ICRC volunteers from the various communities, among others, to play their part in ensuring sustainability of the quality healthcare delivery in the communities.
The Head of ICRC South-East in Port Harcourt, Mrs Dorsa Nazemi-Salman, recalled that on April 12, 2016, the ICRC and other stakeholders charted a way forward to reduce ‘Healthcare In Danger,’ including how to tame violence against healthcare workers and facilities, and added that support of all was needed to achieve desired results.
Dorsa said: “With all the stakeholders put in place to decide how these issues could be addressed, by proffering solutions on the way forward in collaboration with CSOs, other international organizations, MWAN, I am very optimistic that we are going to have some positive results that would enable unhindered access by rural dwellers to healthcare services.”
She emphasized that ICRC, as an independent humanitarian and a neutral organization, has always engaged with community members before entering communities, noting that Rivers was one of the few states in the country benefiting from its intervention programme to address the threats posed to healthcare in rural communities, especially ravaged by violence and conflicts.
Dorsa listed other states to include Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Nasarawa, and appealed to communities affected by cult-related violence, and other conflicts to encourage healthcare providers, protect facilities and institutions to save more lives and promote sustainability of quality healthcare delivery in the state.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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.