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Experts Seek PPP To Boost Healthcare Delivery …Urge More Govt Investment In Infrastructure

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8 years ago

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Experts in the health sector have advocated strategic public private partnership (PPP) to boost healthcare delivery in the country and curb incidence of medical tourism abroad as well as capital flight.
The stakeholders agreed that clear synergy between medical practitioners in the public and private sectors will bridge the yawning gap in healthcare delivery value chain, insisting that adequate roads, constant power supply, enduring security, good water and sanitation systems, among others, would enhance access to quality healthcare services in the country.
The medical professionals from both public and private sectors spoke at a Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Forum to mark 2017 World Spinal Cord Injury Day, with the theme, “Yes We Can”, at Zitadel Medicals and Diagnostics Limited, Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
Consultant Neurosurgeon at Zitadel Medicals and Diagnostics Limited, Abuja, Dr Biodun Ogungbo, said the event was focused on efforts to remove obstacles in the way and ensure that spinal cord injury patients get early treatment, care and support to prevent the chances of deaths from road accidents and other emergencies which trigger spinal cord injuries.
The spine and brain surgeon listed obstacles to include lack of SCI rehabilitation centre, physical and physiotherapy care, reliable statistics for SCI cases, proper management of SCI at accident scenes, poor sensitization and awareness, among others.
He added the global focus was an initiative of the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) aimed at promoting disability inclusion throughout the world, noting that the collaboration between Zitadel Medicals and Diagnostics and other health facilities in the state was to ensure the creation of sufficient awareness on the rights steps to manage and care for SCI victims.
Ogungbo advocated total prevention from spinal cord injuries by ensuring safe driving habits, preventing falls from heights, taking of precautions when playing sports, among others.
Chairman, National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, Dr Peterside Sofiri canvassed for concerted management of spinal cord injury patients by governments, specialists and caregivers to reduce deaths resulting from road accidents and other death-threatening emergencies.
According to him, “Prevention is better than cure but in fact, where a spinal cord injury is concerned, prevention is cure. We are asking for an enabling environment to ensure we have Indian hospitals in Nigeria by putting basic amenities such good roads, uninterrupted power supply, sustainable peace and security, in place.”
Sofiri, who is also president, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Down Town, appealed to governments at all levels to provide subsidized equipment to help in the treatment, care and support for SCI patients, saying that “The high spate of medical tourism abroad can be reversed if people in authority do the needful by providing the enabling environment for individuals and organizations to contribute their quota in the healthcare sector”.
Also speaking, Consultant Orthopeadic Surgeon, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Dr Eyimina Phillip enumerated the procedure for identifying and providing emergency treatment to spinal cord injury victims, advising that special care needed to be taken to ensure patients’ situations are managed with care to avoid unnecessary deaths.
He stressed the importance of partnerships between public and private sector practitioners in managing issues in the healthcare system, saying that when medical practitioners in both sectors work together, better healthcare services would be achieved for the benefit of society.
Physiotherapist, Optimal Health Centre, Okafor Chukwuebuka said the awareness campaign was necessary to help bridge rising gap in emergency response time in the healthcare delivery, especially with regard to the needs of spinal cord injury victims, and expressed the hope that the event will facilitate an inclusive platform for persons with disability, accident and gun-shot patients, among others.
Chukwuebuka, who is also a consultant, Zitadel Medicals and Diagnostics in Port Harcourt, further listed initial treatment and stabilization procedures, including physical and occupational therapy and assistive devices for SCI patients as vital elements, adding that the rehabilitation and reintegration phase of victims were critical in sustaining recovery.
In her remarks, Chief Physiotherapist at UPTH, Dr Blessing Nkiruka Jonathan decried the dearth of adequate working tools and equipment at most public hospitals as well as lack of incentives for competent medical personnel, and advocated for unrestrained collaboration between the public health institutions and private health facilities with modern equipment and working environment to ensure better healthcare delivery services in the state.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

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Group Doles out N13m To Market Women In Isiama 

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6 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The peaceful Town of Isiama in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was at the weekend agog with activities following the donation of over N13million to market women by Engr. Justus Ngerebara in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiatives, a non-governmental organization, as part of its first phase empowerment programme.
According to Justus Ngerebara, who is also the Executive Director of the organization, the women, numbering 108, will receive various sums based on their business proposal.
He stated that the organization will carry out an annual review of the performances of the beneficiaries, with a view to rewarding those who put the money into good use.
According to him, the initiative was a collaborative effort between himself and his wife, Dr. Unyime Ngerebara, in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiative (FDI), an organization committed to youth capacity building and community development.
He said the family believe deeply in the transformative power of women’s empowerment as a catalyst for economic growth, especially in rural communities.
“As the saying goes, when you empower a woman, you empower a community. This truth resonate strongly with us, knowing that empowered women uplift households and inspire generational change”, he stated.
Ngerebara described the programme as the beginning of more things to come and urged the beneficiaries to view the gesture “as a reflection of our deep love for the community and our commitment to easing the burdens of economic hardship.
“We encourage you to invest wisely, channel these resources into your business not frivolities.
“We will continue to follow up with each participant to monitor progress and Offer guidance.
“It is our goal to see thriving business, creative solutions to households hunger and a ripple effect of prosperity through Isiama.
“We also call on the men to stand beside their spouses, offering support and encouragement to ensure these resources are maximized for growth”, he said.
In an interview, Ngerebara said the second phase of the empowerment programme will start very soon, stressing that since inception the organization has done so much for the community.
He listed some of the programmes carried out by the group in the community to include the installation of solar powered lights, and solar powered water.
While declaring the event open, a former coymmissioner for Works in Rivers State, Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, described the event as the first of its kind in the community.
Engr. Ngerebara said the programme will go a long way to improve the conditions of not only the beneficiaries, but also the entire Isiama Community.
He also charged them against wasting the resources on frivolities, adding that their success will attract more of such empowerment programme to Isiama community
Giving a brief talk on women empowerment, a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr. Awajimogobo Felix MacLean, warned the beneficiaries to justify the effort of the donor by avoiding wastages.
Dr. MacLean also urged them to be consistent in their line of business as well as avoid unnecessary competition.
She also stressed the need for them to network among themselves, while working out ways of helping the community to develop.
Guest of Honour at the occasion, Professor Uriah Oboada Alafonye, said Engr Justus Ngerebara, the initiator of the programme, has set a standard for present and future generations of leaders both in the community and the rest of Andoni to follow.
Prof Alafonye who is of the department of Arts Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, also appealed to the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity provided by the programme to reduce poverty in the community.
Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Hebron Mercy Fyneface, a crayfish seller and an interior designer, said it was the first time she was receiving such gesture from any organization or government.
She thanked Engr Justus Ngerebara for remembering the women of Isiama and urged others to emulate him.
By: John Bibor
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Fubara’s Return Excites NCSU … As Hope Rises For Civil Servants 

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6 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The umbrella body of civil servants in Rivers State, the Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the lifting of emergency rule in the State and the return to office of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly, saying, the development portends good omen for workers, the people and the State.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the return of the Governor to office portends good omen and better days for civil servants in particular, stressing that the union heartily welcomes the Governor back to office, to resume his good works in the State, after six months of the emergency rule, as well as his deputy and members of the House of Assembly.
He noted that civil servants in the State are not only elated over the development but are also full of hope that the Governor would start from where he stopped in attending to their welfare needs.
He contended that the political crisis that recently engulfed the State and the six-month emergency rule had for over one year pulled the State backwards, but expressed delight that a permanent solution has been found to stem further political upheavals in the State, and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making this possible; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and leader of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike; Governor Fubara; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule; members of the House; and other stakeholders for agreeing to amicably resolve all contending issues.
The labour leader said this is the right time for all political gladiators in the State to bury the hatchet, work together and embrace peace and genuine reconciliation in the overall interest of the State.
He described as too hasty the resolution of the House, mandating the Governor to present a supplementary budget to it, and pleaded with members of the House to be calm, to tread with caution, and harmoniously work with the Governor.
He said the return of democratic governance in the State would fast-track progress and development in the State, and enjoined the people of the State, particularly civil servants to continue to give their support and cooperation to the Fubara administration.
Osumah expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would give prompt attention to challenges facing civil servants in the State, being a former civil servant himself, stressing that the workers truly have hope, now that the Governor has returned to office, and knowing the kind of Governor he is.
According to him, he is going to look into the controversial and contentious contributory pension scheme; rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex; recruitment into the state civil service; extension of service and retirement years for civil servants; provision of vehicles to industrial unions; as well as provision of befitting staff quarters for civil servants; among others.
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NDDC Organizes ADR Capacity Building for Staff

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6 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has organized a one-day sensitization program for its personnel on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches to promote workplace compliance on transparency and due process.
The workshop, themed “Promoting Transparency and Due Process in the Workplace using ADR Approaches in Building a Culture of Accountability and Integrity,” aimed to equip staff with the skills to resolve disputes effectively.
Declaring the event open on thursday in port Harcourt,The NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the importance of using ADR mechanisms to resolve conflicts in the workplace.
Dr. Ogbuku  represented by his chief of staff,Rev Omeya Oworibo,noted that ADR approaches can encourage a culture of honesty, fairness, transparency, trust, and reduce conflicts among staff, ultimately promoting efficiency and productivity.
He averred that those disputes and quarrels if not proper resolved can derail the vision and objectives of the commission to the people, noting that the commission must as a team and unity as service provider in order to render a profitable service delivery to the people.
 “ADR approach will encourage culture of honesty,fairness, transparency ,trust  and reduce back bitting and the workforce, noting that such tendency would in turns promote efficiency and increase results in workplace.
 when integrity and honesty becomes the operandi of an organisation and employees begins to trust that their matters will be handled with fairness it will breed team work and increase in productivity.”he stated
He commended the department of DCR for organising the workshop and urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity and imbibe the culture of tolerance, integrity and teamwork in workplace.
Also speaking,the NDDC acting director of DCR ,Mr Godwin Ayewumi Ogedegbe noted that the theme of the captures the core of what the commission seeks to achieve a workplace where every action is expected to be guided by openness, fairness, and a steadfastness commitment to due process, where conflicts are not merely resolved, but prevented through structured,principled processes , and where accountability and integrity are not aspirational ideals but every day practice.
In his  keynote presentation on the theme “workplace Ethics and alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation,
Prof. Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, delivered a keynote presentation on “Workplace Ethics and Alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation.” He stressed the importance of due process, transparency, integrity, and accountability in the workplace, noting that these values are essential for productivity and organizational goals.
The workshop aimed to promote a culture of accountability and integrity in the NDDC workplace. By equipping staff with ADR skills and promoting transparency and due process, the commission can build a more efficient and productive work environment.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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