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RSG Begins Equipping Zonal Hospitals …As Wike Vows To Sanction Erring LG Officials

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The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has said that his administration has commenced the process of equipping recently completed Zonal Hospitals to take quality tertiary healthcare closer to the people.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Board and Management of Philips Project Centre Limited at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike said that the Zonal Hospital, Degema and Zonal Hospital, Bori have been completed while the equipping process was ongoing.
He added that the Rivers State Government was also equipping the Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt to provide specialist care to women and children.
“Health is very important to this administration. It is one key area that we are focusing on to improve the lives of the people.
“We are investing resources to equip the completed Zonal Hospitals that will soon come on stream. We have Zonal Hospitals in Degema, Bori, Etche, Ahoada and Omoku. We will equip Degema and Bori Zonal Hospitals because they have been completed”, he said.
Wike said that the Rivers State Government would partner with Philips Project Centre to equip the hospitals and train staff to maintain the facilities.
He directed the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and the Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare to work with Philips Project Centre to develop the health facilities for use by Rivers people.
“Whatever we will agree with Philips Project Centre must include training and retraining of our staff. We will partner to equip these hospitals”, he said.
The governor noted that his administration has so far equipped the former Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, now Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, with $6.5million.
The Executive Director, Philips Project Centre, Ayo Grillo called for partnership with the Rivers State Government to equip hospitals across the state.
Grillo said that the Philips Project Centre has special interest in Rivers State as the organisation has been working in the state for some years to construct and maintain healthcare facilities.
“We have a long history with Rivers State. We are keen to continue to work with Rivers State to develop the health sector. We bring trainers from abroad to train clinical and non-clinical staff with requisite knowledge on how to tackle healthcare challenges”, he said.
He informed the Rivers State governor that they operate internet-based applications to ensure efficiency, and promised to deploy ICT to make the state’s healthcare system effective and efficient.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has stated that his administration would follow the due process of the law in implementing the report of the committee set up to investigate and audit the financial transactions of the 23 local government councils, insisting that erring principal officers of the LGAs would be sanctioned.
He spoke when he received the report of the committee set up to investigate and audit the financial transactions of the 23 local government councils from May, 2018 to May, 2019 at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Monday.
The governor said, “If I was going to them to collect money, I wouldn’t get up to set up the committee. They would have indicted me. Some councils receive up to N2billion annually and there is a council that gets up to N5billion annually, yet no project”.
Wike said that the Rivers State Government would abide by the Supreme Court judgment that state governors cannot dissolve elected councils, but noted that the report presented by the committee exposed a scandalous rot in the local government system.
He said: “The Supreme Court has said that you cannot dissolve elected councils. We will obey the Supreme Court judgment on that matter.
“But we shall take action on the areas where we are empowered by law to act. All the treasurers, Heads of Personnel Management and other civil servants involved in illegal financial transactions will be sanctioned.
“I have read the preliminary report. It is bad. The report is scandalous. Tomorrow, they will say that I don’t remember those who fought for me. Did you fight for me, so that you can destroy the system”.
Wike said local government council chairmen are under obligation to work for their people and deliver dividends of democracy to improve their lives.
“I am quite satisfied with what the committee has done. It is not political, and things must be done the right way. We cannot continue to play while the people suffer. The problem with this country is that we take things for granted.
“As a local government council chairman, I created record as a performer. I did projects and worked for our people. I won all the awards”.
The governor urged council chairmen and top government officials to always work to develop their communities and leave worthy legacies.
He commended the committee for working in line with their terms of reference, adding that they focused on the task without attracting any form of scandal.
“I thank the committee for a job well done. I am quite satisfied with what the committee has done. It is not political and things must be done right. We cannot continue to play while the people suffer. The problem with this country is that we take things for granted”, he said.
The governor noted that he was not out to witch-hunt anyone, but remains committed to the development of Rivers State and the entrenchment of due process.
Earlier, Chairman of the committee set up to investigate and audit the financial transactions of the 23 local government councils from May, 2018 to May, 2019, and Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, thanked the governor for his commitment to the development of Rivers State.
She explained that to ensure professionalism, the committee engaged three auditing firms to achieve the right results.
The deputy governor said that all the council chairmen and relevant officials participated in the exercise, stressing that the committee worked in line with best practices for the good of Rivers State.
She challenged the local government chairmen to see the exercise as a wake-up call to work for their people.

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NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam

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The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.

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Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence

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The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.

The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.

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Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027

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A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.

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