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Wike Deserves The Sun, Silverbird Awards -Okah

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The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah has insisted that the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike deserves The Sun Governor of the Year 2017 and Silverbird Man of the Year 2017 awards, among others.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the commissioner stated that Wike’s approach to development was distinct, pragmatic and holistic.
“The awards relate to the fulfilment of promises made by a sitting governor to his people during the campaign and those promises are being fulfilled one after the other. The results are there for everyone to see. They are things you touch and see. Nigerians are hearing how Governor Nyesom Wike is transforming the landscape in Rivers State,” he explained.
“Before 2015, there was a near collapse of our infrastructure. Salaries, allowances and pensions were unpaid. There was this general lack of trust on public officers. Governor Nyesom Wike came on board and set the state on a path of transformation,” Okah said.
According to him, “He has shown remarkable leadership. He has promoted oneness and unity amongst Rivers people. He is trying to bridge the gap between the contending political parties to the point where the new mantra is that Rivers people should put Rivers State first. The governor is trying to diffuse political tension. He is trying to open the door for every Rivers man and woman to find expression in the fact that they are Rivers people, irrespective of the political party they belong to.
“Look at what happened the day Senator Magnus Abe held his thanksgiving ceremony together with those other APC colleagues. Look at what happened when the governor went there. It is unprecedented for a governor of another political party to attend an event organised by elected officers from another political party and received that kind of tumultuous ovation from people. It was as if Governor Nyesom Wike is a member of APC or those gathered there that day were members of PDP. You could see the joy and relief”, he noted.
He further said that unlike other of his colleagues who could have not used contractors by their predecessors, Wike was using them because it serves the interest of the state.
“In trying to go about the various abandoned projects that he inherited, Governor Wike chose not to antagonise any of those contractors except a few of them who showed manifest incapacity in discharging their responsibilities.
“So, he adopted the option of not visiting those contractors with any form of hatred or enmity contrary to what used to be in the past. He embraced them and that is why within a very short time, it was easy for a lot of the projects, particularly the road projects to be completed. This is a very strong act of leadership and that is what has helped in rapid completion of the projects that were abandoned”, Okah stressed.
Okah said, “The governor is on his toes 24 hours to inspect the extent of performance and quality of work done on awarded contracts. So, you don’t just come as a contractor collect government’s money and go home and sleep.
“The governor will follow you up to your bedroom and that is one of the reasons why we have been able to record some of these significant achievements in project execution.
“Go to the health sector, some of the hospitals we’ve not been to, are still there for people to see so they will be able to know what we’re talking about when we said that there was a total collapse of the general hospitals in Rivers state. Today, the story is different. Emohua is undergoing renovation. There are hospital projects in Abonnema and Buguma.
“In Degema, we have a zonal hospital. Quite a lot of them are receiving significant attention. I’m sure a lot of Rivers people today will not be in a hurry to forget what the road infrastructure was when we got into office. Look at the Borokiri axis of Rivers State as at 2015; it was like the people who live in that axis had been forgotten completely. Look at the Eneka-Rukpokwu road, Igwuruta- Chokoto road for instance. You can go on and mention all these roads that were commissioned at various points.
“The Andoni-Opobo road is ongoing and the governor has promised that before the end of this year, the Opobo people will drive vehicles to Opobo town.
“Look at schools. Go to Rivers State University. The law faculty is completed; Faculty of Environmental Sciences building is completed; Management Sciences is ongoing, Technical Education is ongoing. Don’t forget for the first time, Rivers State University is having a school of Sciences since it was established in the 80’s. All these are very remarkable”.
“What of the secondary schools. Go to Government Secondary School, Rumuokota, Nyemoni Grammar School, Abonnema, KNC, Buguma. Go to Ogu Town. The secondary school that was brought down by the former administration and abandoned and left Ogu without a secondary school is ongoing now. Quite a lot of schools are receiving attention.UBE schools over 105 of them are receiving facelift and that is coming from a governor and government that truly care.

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Fashola Faults ‘Coat Of Arms’ Display On National Flag

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Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has cautioned Nigerians from inscribing the coat of arms on the national flag, saying doing so is a misuse of the national colours.
Fashola said this on Monday, during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Empowering Tomorrow: A New Vision for Nigeria, a special programme on the 63rd anniversary of Nigeria’s independence celebrated annually on October 1.
“Just this afternoon, I was asked to hoist a flag of Nigeria. By the time the flag unfurled, I saw that there was a coat of arms in the middle and I whispered to my host that ‘this is not the flag of Nigeria’. Nigeria’s flag does not have a coat of arms in the middle. It is green, white, and green”, Fashola said.
The former minister also said that Nigerians should pay attention to “some of the small things that matter”, adding that national symbols are to be rendered during recognised events for the country at large.
“When I was in primary school, these were the symbolisms of those Independence Day parades, Children’s Day parades, and this was how we were taught to stand up or maintain our position whenever we heard Nigeria’s national anthem being rendered,” Fashola said.
“You sit today and you shudder in your skin what happens today, what people have been taught when the national anthem is rendered”, he added.
The former governor of Lagos also spoke out against the rendition of the national anthem “at every little event”, including when the president appears at a social event, saying it is to be sung as the symbol of the country’s sovereignty.
“I have had cause to ask people not to sing the anthem for me, either as governor or minister, because I’m not a sovereign. It’s a projection of our minds,” he said.
“These are, for me, the important things to talk about and that’s why I say this anniversary provides an opportunity for reflection and, indeed, inflection”, Fashola added.

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NCDC Records 1,968 Lassa Fever Cases In 28 States

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has registered 1,068 Lassa fever infections across 112 local government areas in 28 states of the federation.
The NCDC said this yesterday, via its official website in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Week 37 (September 11 -17, 2023).
The centre indicated that 75 percent of the cases were detected in Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. It is primarily found in West Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria.
The virus is transmitted to humans through contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents, specifically the multimammate rat.
According to the NCDC, there are currently 7,352 individuals with suspected cases and the infection has resulted in the unfortunate loss of at least 181 lives in the country.
The centre said that the case-fatality ratio of the infection stood at 16.9 percent.
“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 37, 2023, 181 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 16.9 percent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (19.1 percent).
“In total for 2023, 28 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 112 local government areas.
“Seventy-five percent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 25 percent were reported from 25 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.
“Of the 75 percent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 35 percent, Edo 29 percent, and Bauchi 11 percent.
“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 93 years, Median Age: 32 years).
“The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.9. The number of suspected cases increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2022,” it said.
It said that in 2023, Lassa fever infected 49 healthcare workers across the country.
The agency said that the National Lassa Fever Multi-partner, Multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre had been activated to coordinate the response activities at all levels.
It added that prevention of Lassa fever involves avoiding contact with rodents and their droppings, practising good personal hygiene and taking precautions when caring for infected individuals.
The NCDC said that early diagnosis and prompt medical care are crucial in managing the disease and preventing complications.

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Army Orders Investigation Into Allegation Of Troops’ Poor Feeding

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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered an investigation into an allegation of poor feeding of frontline troops in the North East Theatre of Operations.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Nwachukwu said that the welfare of troops had been given premium by the present leadership of the Nigerian Army and was one of the vital pillars of the COAS Command Philosophy targeted at motivating the Force.
“The Nigerian army therefore takes these allegations very seriously and COAS has directed immediate investigation into the complaints to ascertain its veracity and unravel the circumstances,” the army spokesman said.
Nwachukwu assured the public and all army personnel that a thorough investigation would be conducted to get to the bottom of the claims.
He said the Nigerian army had always prioritised the welfare of troops, including their nutrition, adding that it has a comprehensive feeding system for troops, especially those serving at the frontline.
“We, however, acknowledge that there may be isolated incidents where lapses occur, and we are determined to squarely address them.
“An internal investigation has already been initiated to ascertain the truth behind these allegations.
“We will thoroughly examine the supply chain, the quality of food provided, and any other factors that may have contributed to this situation,” he said.
Nwachukwu stressed that the Nigerian army remained committed to transparency and accountability, and would not condone any form of negligence or misconduct.
“If any culpability is detected, it will attract appropriate disciplinary action and immediate corrective measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future,” he assured.
Nwachukwu called on Army personnel to report any grievances or concerns they might have regarding their feeding arrangements through the established channels for feedback, assuring that prompt action would be taken to address any legitimate complaints.
He said that the Army would continue to be resolute in the fight against insurgency and other security challenges, and would ensure that its soldiers were provided with the necessary support and care to carry out their duties effectively.
“We are committed to ensuring that our troops are well-fed, motivated, and equipped to defend our nation,” he added.

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