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RSG To End Malaria Scourge By 2020 …Plans Peace, Reconciliation Initiative For Communities
Rivers State joined the rest of the world to celebrate the World Malaria Day yesterday with the aim of becoming a malaria-free state by the year 2020.
Speaking to newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health, Mrs Caroline Wali, revealed that the prevalence rate for malaria in the state was 7.2% while the national average was 45 per cent, stating that the state had made significant progress in malaria control in recent times despite the challenges.
With the year’s theme, “End Malaria for Good, what is your role, Wali said this year’s theme speaks to everybody to do a re-assessment of their roles in a bid for a malaria-free Rivers State.
Every citizen of the state has a role to play to eliminate malaria in the state, Wali revealed saying that Nigeria accounted for 32 per cent of the global annual estimate of 627,000 malaria deaths, which is approximately about 200,640 deaths and stressed the need not to downplay the negative impact of the disease.
In her words, “ today, we join the rest of the world to celebrate their success stories and the various strides made in the various intervention areas, and also remind all stakeholders of the commitment to achieving the target of providing, at least, 80 percent of targeted population with appropriate preventive measures by 2020.
The permanent Secretary further urged all partners and stakeholders to rise to the occasion of playing their roles, saying ‘ be an advocate for malaria eradication by playing your roles of sleeping under the insecticide treated net, taking intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) during pregnancy, get tested and treated at the first signs of malaria, treat malaria with Arteminsinin Combination Therapy (ACT) and maintain a clean environment”.
In his opening remarks at the grand finale of the celebration at the Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, the Director, Public Health in the ministry, Dr Nnanna Onyekwere noted that so much resources had been spent on malaria eradication, expressing optimism that Nigerian and indeed, Rivers State would achieve the set target by the year 2020.
Onyekwere said the health personnel alone can not make this happen. It requires the concerted efforts of everyone to achieve this target, and so we all must play our roles.
Meanwhile the member representing Opobo/Nkoro constituency in the Rivers State House of assembly, Hon Adonye Diri, has regretted that despite government investments in healthcare sector, recent statistics show that Rivers State has been listed as one of the malaria endemic states in Nigeria.
He stated this during the celebration of World Malaria Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Diri said the world malaria day which is observed globally ever April 25, as part of efforts to control the malaria scourge should be seen as an opportunity to eliminate the epidemic in the state.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government says it would partner for a state-wide reconciliation programme with a view to ensuring genuine and lasting peace in the state.
Special Adviser to the state Governor on Conflict Resolution, Chief Okori Abelekum disclosed this yesterday in Port Harcourt at the Mediation and Community Reconciliation workshop for community leaders in conflict affected communities in the state.
Abelekum, said that the new vision programme of the present administration was to ensure a peaceful state where everybody will live in peace.
The Special Adviser also stressed the need for the people to key into the vision of the administration by making their contributions towards the development of the state.
According to him, the workshop, which has the theme, ‘ Mediation and Reconciliation” was aimed at building local capacities for peace-building, indentifying the root causes of conflicts and enabling community leaders to activiely play their role of building sustainable peace in society.
Lady Godknows Ogbulu & Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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