Rivers
Wike Urges Prayer For Nigeria At Easter
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says Easter period is a time that reminds people of the trauma Jesus Christ went through on the Cross of Calvary and assures mankind of his reconciliation with God.
The Governor who stated this as his Easter message at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirikon near Port Harcourt, his country home on Sunday enjoined Rivers people to pray for the peace of the state and the leaders.
Wike urged Christians in the state to use the Easter period to pray fervently for the economic growth of the state, stressing the need for all to reconcile with God and humanity.
He noted that reconciliation among ourselves and God would enhance the success of the forthcoming Golden Jubilee Celebration beginning from May 27,2017, adding that the death of Jesus Christ re-unites man with God.
We must always be grateful to God, for giving us His only begotten son to die in our place”, he said.
The governor expressed his dismay over the ingeniuneness in the fight against corruption by the Federal Government, pointing out that corruption should be fought with unbiased mind and without fear or favour no matter who is involved.
He regretted that the fight is directed at members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which ought not to be, as it is expected to be all encompassing, irrespective of party or religions affiliation.
Wike urged the church to pray God to touch authorities in the Federal Government to return the N17.2 billion discovered by EFCC at Ikoyi in Lagos State to the coffers of the state, arguing that the issue must be handled with dispatch as evidence shows that the money is from Rivers State.
“Mr President is for the entire country, and as such, the Rivers State Government is not fighting Federal Government, but rather, some individuals want to bring in Mr President, just to divert attention but their plans will not work”, Wike said.
He hinted that the state government is starting up what he called ‘church fund’ in the state to help churches when they are in dire need of money to solve some church challenges, saying that the church funds would be carefully managed by very responsible and God fearing individuals.
Governor Wike told the leadership of St Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom that the on-going projects at the Rumuepirikom Community would be supported by key stakeholders of the community, who accompanied him to the church.
Earlier, the Rector, Venerable Israel Omosioni had urged Christians to do all they can and leave the rest for God because as he puts it, “the stones in their lives have been rolled away by Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross of Calvary”.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board (RSPHCMB) says it will commence Supplemental Immunization activities on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to vaccinate children from 0-5 years across the State.
The State Health Educator, Dr. Diana Babbo, who stated this during a sensitisation meeting with Media Advocate for Health, Rivers State, on the update of immunization exercise in Rivers State, said the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) is a re-enforcement of the routine immunization at the health facilities.
According to her, it is aimed at boosting polio immunisation against the circulating variance of polio virus currently threatening the total eradication of polio in the country.
She further stated that there are four pillars of polio eradication, namely routine immunization (administered on babies in the health centre), supplemental immunization activity (supplements to boost the babies), surveillance (searching for children that have weakness in their legs or some oart of their bodies), and outbreak response.
The Health Educator noted that the Novel Oral Polio Vaccination Type 2 (NOPV 2) will be administered to children under the age of 0-5 years, which targets a specific polio still in existence in communities and capable of causing paralysis among the stated categories of children, despite the country being certified a polio-free nation.
Dr. Babbo further stated that this year’s NIPDs will address the high number of unresolved non-compliance cases in the State.
She debunked what she tagged a false rumour by mischief makers which claimed that the vaccines are responsible for the development of autism in children.
She said, “vaccines are not known to be responsible for the development of autism. We’re just hearing that. The truth is that one cannot know everything.
“That aspect that has been found, have we looked into other aspects, such as genetically modified foods, drinks, and milks that our children are taking?
“Have we also looked at genetic compatibility between couples before we now say vaccines are causing x, y, z things?
“Are we looking at the environment where these things are happening, what they are peculiar to?
“It must not be peculiar to all the families, there could be something also that’s happening around that we have not known. Research is evolving, let us not accuse our precious vaccines that have succeeded so far in my knowledge, to keep as many sicknesses at bay.
“The reason we do not have small pox in our world today, apart from the lab (a bio-lab) is because we vaccinated to the point where we were able to move small pox totally out of existence from human beings. We can succeed with that same pattern with all kinds of viruses”.
She stated that the connection between autism and vaccination could merely be coincidence.
Babbo, therefore, urged all parents, churches, and school owners to avail their children/wards the opportunity to be vaccinated against polio the stated exercise.
Sogbeba Dokubo
Engr Obi Fortune, a renowned philanthropist, has donated 80 desks to four secondary schools in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The donation is part of his commitment to advancing education in the area.
The schools that benefited from the gesture includes- Community Secondary School Umuoye.
Community Secondary School Akwa- Government Secondary School Ozuzu and Community Primary School Okehi 2 and all the schools got 20 units each of the desks.
Speaking during the brief handing-over ceremony held recently in okehi recently, Engr Obi stated that the donation fulfills his promise to use proceeds from his book sales to procure desks for schools in the LGA.
He disclosed that more desks will arrive soon and expressed his continued commitment to supporting education in the area.
Obi urged the schools to make good use of the desks and called on other individuals to contribute to the educational needs in the area.
This gesture demonstrates Engr Obi’s dedication to improving education in Etche LGA.
A professor of social and political philosophy at Rivers State University (RSU ) Nkpolu Oroworukwu port Harcourt, Prof Agha Eresia _Eke has emphasized that citizenship participation is crucial for achieving true democratic government. He stressed that citizens’ involvement in exercising their basic rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, is essential for a democratic institution to thrive.
Eresia _Eke stated this while presenting his inaugural lecture at the 111 university’s inaugural lecture series with the topic “Nigeria Democratic practices:a contextual paradox”held at the university senate auditorium in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
According to him, core democratic values which include:,- Respect for individual rights and freedoms, Protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, Equality before the law, Freedom of speech, assembly, and association, Protection of privacy and personal autonomy.
“Through out history, the problem that has agitated social and political philosophers has been to work _out a model for the realization of the common good of man.
Man has always sought and developed methods and systems of organising himself according to his true nature as a rational being.”he stated.
Eresia-Eke notes that Nigeria is not practicing a true federalism and highlights the importance of a pragmatic approach to democracy, where ideas and solutions are tested and refined in real-world environments.
He emphasized that citizens must hold their leaders accountable and demand respect for human rights, stressing that by doing so, citizens can undertake their civic obligations and responsibilities, strengthening society as a whole.
Earlier in his address, the Vice chancellor of the university, Prof Zeb _Obipi commended the lecturer for his brilliant performance, adding that he has justified and proven that he is a professor in his area of specialization.
The VC averred that the university has been consistent in the inaugural lecture monthly and assured that his administration will continue to continue to keep the trend.