Rivers
Rivers Patriots Blast Dakuku Over Comments On Wike
The open letter of the defeated All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2015 election in Rivers State and now Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, alleging that the actions of Governor Nyesom Wike in the last two years, have shown that he was not prepared for governance, has been described as diversionary, irresponsible, envious, malicious and the height of mischief.
Speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Coalition of Rivers Patriots, described Dakuku as deficient in knowledge of the developmental programmes and policies of Wike in the past two years.
In a statement signed by Barrister Thompson Barilede, on behalf of the patriots, the coalition observed that Dakuku and his cohorts must be advised to come to terms with the reality that his theories and dreams for Rivers people while he canvassed his ambition to run for governorship should be confined to the dust bin as it cannot be the yardstick for measuring Wike’s performance.
“It is strange and a slap on the psche and sensibilities of the good people of Rivers State for Dakuku Peterside, who has since ran away from the state to Lagos and Abuja in the last two years, to remain in his self-imposed exile and assess what is being done by a governor who has been severally acknowledged as, not only the best performing Golden Governor in Nigeria but referred to as ‘Mr. Project’,” the coalition stated.
The statement recalled the encomiums that have been severally poured on the governor by prominent Nigerians, including the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, who nicknamed the governor, ‘Mr. Project’ because of Wike’s signature projects at a time the nation is in a recession and many states are unable to pay the salaries of civil servants.
Hinting that Dakuku must be alone in his hallucinations, the statement said Rivers State under Wike has remained peaceful in spite of the wicked devices of failed politicians to orchestrate crisis in the state from their abodes outside Rivers State, adding that Rivers people, including the traditional rulers were having the best of times in the state because the current administration was giving every one the honour due them.
The statement noted that Dakuku’s letter, was not only malicious but a further expression of frustration arising from his rejection by Rivers people at the polls in 2015.
psych of the people by the administration of Chibuike Amaechi, who Dakuku served, adding that the massive participation in the celebration of the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the state attests to the fact that Rivers State was safe and that the people have confidence in Wike’s administration.
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.