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Health Workers Commend Wike, Suspend Strike
The Medical and Health Workers as well as Nurses and Midwives Association under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) has expressed appreciations to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for his willingness to interface with labour unions in order to resolve the issues of strike embarked upon by health and medical workers.
The state Chairman of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Dr. Chris Mbata, who stated this while announcing the suspension of the one-month old strike, last week, also expressed the union’s unalloyed loyalty to the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike-led government.
Mbata explained that the union was excited about the recent advertisement to employ more health workers to boost healthcare delivery in the state.
He noted that the lifting of embargo on employment in the state’s health sector by the state government was a welcome development, and apologised to patients for the hardship they may have gone through while the strike lasted.
The JOHESU chairman prayed God to intervene to ensure that the situation gets better as soon as services are restored at all the public hospitals and primary health facilities in the state.
However, the medical and health workers as well as nurses and midwives in Rivers State, will today, resume normal services in all government hospitals and primary health centres across the state after one month of industrial action by the unions.
This followed by the suspension of the strike, last Thursday, by the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) and Joint Negotiating Council (NLC).
When The Tide visited some of the health centres, last Friday, it was discovered that few medical workers had resumed work.
The health centres visited include those at Pott Johnson Street, Elekahia, Orogbum, Ngbudukwu at Okija/Emenike, and Okuru-Ama all in the Port Harcourt Local Government Area.
Others are Okochiri and Ibaka health centres in Okrika Local Government Area.
Those who were seen on duty when The Tide visited said majority of the nurses and other health workers could not resume work because the strike was suspended late on Thursday, saying that some had travelled to their villages.
They assured that normal work and services in all the facilities at primary health centres will resume, today.
A communiqué signed by the union, last Thursday, and read by the state Chairman of JOHESU, Rivers State chapter, Dr Chris Mbata, directed all workers to resume work immediately, even as the communiqué directed all monitoring teams to ensure compliance as at last Friday.
The communiqué signed by the Treasurer, Comrade Gibson Liver Osendi; Secretary, Comrade Reginald Kuru; and Chairman, Dr Chris Mbata; commended the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for their timely intervention toward resolving the issues in dispute.
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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