Rivers State Government and the Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Hospital (POCCH) have launched a free breast cancer screening initiative to promote early breast cancer detection initiative.

According to available information, the initiative which  targets 10,000 women aims at promoting early breast cancer detection, improving treatment and reducing deaths associated with the disease.

It will also provide up to 10,000 free mammograms, a screening procedure used to detect breast abnormalities before symptoms become apparent, particularly removing the financial barriers that prevent many women from accessing early diagnosis.

The Chief Executive Officer of Peter Odili Cancer and cardiovascular Hospital, Dr. Toni Rahme, disclosed this last Saturday during the hospital’s Pink October event in Port Harcourt, where cancer survivors were celebrated and those who had lost their lives to the disease in Rivers State were honoured.

Rahme said registration for the free mammogram programme had opened, with screening appointments to be scheduled subsequently, urging women across the State to register and take advantage of the opportunity.

He said the initiative was designed to encourage more women to undergo regular breast cancer screening, stressing that early detection and prompt treatment could significantly improve survival outcomes.

The hospital chief executive cited Nigeria’s estimated 44,000 new breast cancer cases and more than 21,000 deaths recorded in 2024, saying the figures underscored the urgent need for expanded screening programmes and improved access to cancer care.

“Behind these figures are women, families and futures. The cases identified at POCCH remind us why early detection matters.

“A mammogram can find changes before symptoms appear, and finding cancer early and treating it promptly can save lives,” he said.

Explaining the decision to target 10,000 free screenings, Rahme said the hospital wanted to ensure that the cost of mammography would not prevent women from knowing their breast cancer status.

“That is why we aim to provide up to 10,000 free mammograms: to remove a cost barrier and help more women get checked. Today, registration opens, and screening appointments will follow,” he said.

He urged women in Rivers State to take advantage of the programme, stressing that identifying breast cancer at an early stage could increase the chances of successful treatment and reduce avoidable deaths.

“To our women community, your health matters to us. Come forward. Hand by hand, let us walk beside you,” Rahme said.

He commended the Rivers State Government for supporting POCCH’s efforts to expand access to specialised healthcare, acknowledging the contributions of the State Ministry of Health and its commissioner, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, to advancing the partnership.

Rahme said the collaboration between the State Government and the hospital reflected a shared commitment to bringing specialised medical services closer to residents and improving healthcare delivery.

“Across Nigeria, Health Invest Africa works with government to strengthen healthcare management and bring specialist care closer to communities.

“Here at Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Hospital, our partnership with the Rivers State Government turns that shared vision into service,” he said.

The POCCH chief executive also praised the hospital’s medical personnel and other workers for their dedication to patient care, describing their efforts as vital to giving cancer patients and their families hope.

He expressed optimism that the 10,000 free mammogram initiative would enable more women to detect breast cancer early, access timely treatment and survive the disease.

“There is a sound we want to hear more often at POCCH: the bell ringing in our oncology department, marking a new beginning, a new hope, a new life.

“Let this campaign give more women the chance to reach that bell, more children the chance to hold their mother’s hand, and more families the hope of many years together. That is the future we are working for. That is why we are here,” Rahme said.

John Bibor, Goodness Emelue & Chioma Wali

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has questioned the Trade Union Congress’ (TUC) rejection of the Federal Government’s proposed ?70,000 transport allowance, saying the union was not involved in negotiations with the government.

Ajaero said the NLC had made it clear from the beginning that it was negotiating independently of the TUC, making the latter’s opposition to the outcome surprising.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, yesterday, Ajaero said the TUC did not sign the agreement and argued that the union should not oppose an arrangement it did not negotiate.

“Why is TUC challenging what was gotten for the workers when we stated clearly that NLC was acting alone?” Ajaero asked.

“The agreement was not signed by TUC, and you don’t kick against something that you didn’t negotiate, you never asked for,” he added.

The NLC president said he would have preferred the TUC to demand a higher allowance so that both unions could negotiate with the government towards a common position.

“I would have preferred a situation whereby if NLC was asking for one naira, TUC would be asking for 10 naira, and probably the government would harmonise it,” Ajaero said.

The NLC president recalled that the disagreement began after the TUC president reportedly said the minimum wage would be due for negotiation in August 2027.

Ajaero said the NLC disagreed with that position, insisting that it was inconsistent with the law, and proceeded with its own engagement with the government.

He said the TUC had also distanced itself from the process after reports emerged that both labour centres were jointly meeting with the government.

“When we started the first meeting, the media reported that NLC and TUC had a meeting. They threatened us and said they are not part of it,” he said.

Ajaero added that the NLC subsequently issued a statement clarifying that it was acting alone in the negotiations.

“We came out with a statement that NLC is on this alone; we are not with TUC. So, I would be surprised why TUC would be challenging what was gotten for the workers,” he said.

On calls for a wage increase, Ajaero argued that such an adjustment could not be granted without a formal process involving the relevant stakeholders.

Does the government dash wage increase? There must be a process put in place,” he said.

He noted that the same TUC had called for the process to begin in August 2027, adding that the NLC had advocated that the relevant committee commence work immediately.

Ajaero said he remained concerned about the TUC’s position on the transport allowance, questioning why the union would reject an arrangement it had not negotiated or secured.

“I have been worried for some time now, why you say you reject something that was not given to you,” he said.

Recall that the TUC had rejected the proposed ?70,000 wage award and demanded an immediate salary increase for workers.

It said temporary wage awards are inadequate to address the economic hardship facing Nigerian workers, insisting the Federal Government should implement a salary increase instead.

The congress stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro.

The TUC also accused the Federal Government of failing to fully fulfil its 2023 wage award obligations to some workers and of neglecting a seven-month-old agreement on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of over 3,800 senior police officers, including two Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, 10 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and 17 Commissioners of Police.

The promotions followed the officers’ success in promotion examinations and oral interviews conducted by the commission.

The approvals were granted at the commission’s plenary meeting held in Abuja, yesterday, and presided over by its chairman, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (retd.).

According to a statement by the Head of Protocol and Public Relations of the PSC, Torty Njoku Kalu, two AIGs, Olaolu Adegbite and Dankombo F. Morris, were promoted to the rank of DIG.

“Adegbite, who heads the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja, previously served as Director of Operations at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“Morris, who heads Zone 4 Headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State, previously served as Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State, ” the statement added.

The commission also approved the promotion of 10 CPs to the rank of AIG, including Omosanyin Olusegun, Ogbodo Ugobueze, Ohagwu  Ndukwe, Taylor  Olanrewaju, Regina Udoette, Afolabi Olutokunbo, Nwogoh Martin, Shetima  Mohammed, Ibrahim Gotan and Danjuma IYahaya.

The statement listed them as Nache Bashir Liman, Sirajo Lawal Salihu, Ayeleye Adegboyega E., Isiaka O. Salau, Usman Shaik Adamu, Aminu Maiwada Garba, Abdulkarim Musa Waziri, Muhammad Yusuf Adamu, Sani Adamu Nufawa, Bello M. Adamu, Okezie Chikezie C., Aminu Usman Gusau, Abiodun Onuoha, Salisu Bello Fago, Adegoke A. Alani, Wuwa Auwal Muhammad and Benedict U. Agbo.

In other categories, 85 Assistant Commissioners of Police were promoted to DCP, 49 Chief Superintendents of Police to ACP, 245 Superintendents of Police to CSP and 498 Deputy Superintendents of Police to SP.

Notable among those promoted from SPs to CSPs is the FCT Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh.

“245 SPs to CSPs, including SP Josephine Adeh (PPRO FCT Command), SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje (PPRO Adamawa), SP Abah James (Rivers State Command), SP Okere Romanus (DPO Isiowulu Division, Anambra), SP Ugochukwu Ozoude Alex (O/c Monitoring Unit Zone 9 Umuahia),” the statement said.

The commission also approved the promotion of 3,218 Assistant Superintendents of Police to the rank of DSP.

Congratulating the newly promoted officers, Argungu urged them to see their elevation as motivation to improve their performance.

He said much was expected of them in the discharge of their responsibilities, particularly in securing lives and property and enforcing the law.