Niger Delta

200 Benefit From Police Free Medical Outreach In Rivers

Published

5 years ago

January 20, 2020

About 200 persons comprising men, women, youths and children from Obuama Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have benefitted from the free medical exercise conducted by the Nigeria Police Medical Services of the state police command.
The programme, which has the theme, “Smear for Smear”, was organised by the Police Medical Services in the state in collaboration with Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) as part of activities to mark the 2020 World Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in the state.
Speaking at the event in Obuama community, the representative of the commissioner of police in charge of Medical Services, CSP Oni Akindele, said the free medical service was designed by the inspector general of police to promote health condition of police personnel and the community at large.
Akindele said the programme was aimed at creating awareness on the dangerous nature of cervical cancer as well as to administer treatment on other health issues, especially in areas of hypertension, diabetes, malaria, eye challenges, among others.
According to him, women are most vulnerable to these dangerous diseases, adding that cervical cancer can be cured, if detected early and the right treatment administered.
Akindele who is a chief superintendent of police (CSP), urged the people to always take their health seriously, adding that such free medical service has been held in other parts of the state.
Also speaking, the President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Rivers State branch, Dr Vetty Agala, said the programme was to create awareness of cervical cancer disease to the people in the area, especially the women, adding that cancer was an abnormal cell growth that occurs in women’s body, common in Africa.
Agala attributed early sex and having multiple sex partners among young women as possible causes of cervical cancer in women.
Other causes of the disease include drugs, smoking, among others, she said, noting that it was not hereditary but early detections can lead to its cure.
“Regular medical check up and screening is recommended for its treatment”, Agala added.
In their various speeches, representatives of the community, Chief Opuks Harry and the Woman Leader, Mrs Daughter Nathaniel Cottreel lauded the police for the initiative, adding that the free medical programme would go a long way in impacting on lives in the community.
Our correspondent reports that the combined medical team comprising the police and MWAN handled and treated various degrees of ailments and administered free drugs to both the elderly men and women, youths and children as well as pupils and students within Obuama and their neighbours during the one-day programme.

Niger Delta

Delta APC Reaffirms Support For Oborevwori’s Administration

Published

9 hours ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

The State Executive Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Monday reaffirmed its support for the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori-led APC government in the state.

Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Omeni Sobotie, who led members of the Executive Committee of the APC on a visit to the Governor, said they would continue to support the State Government as it drives the Renewed Hope For MORE Agenda in the state.

Chief Sobotie disclosed that they were at Government House, Asaba, to pledge their solidarity, reiterating that the Governor is the leader of the APC in the state.

“If the Governor, as the leader of the party, tells everyone to queue behind him, who is going to question that? Who would act contrary to that?” he asked rethorically.

“We came to reaffirm our support and pledge our solidarity with the Governor of the state, who is the leader of the APC in Delta”, the State Chairman added.

He, therefore, urged Deltans to continue supporting the policies and programmes of the Oborevwori’s administration, adding that they should expect more with the Renewed Hope for the MORE Agenda.

Albert Ograka, Asaba

Niger Delta

Otu’s Wife Champions Healthcare Access For 500 Elderly Citizens

Published

10 hours ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

The Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu, has sponsored the enrollment of 500 senior citizens, aged 70 and above, into the Cross River Health Insurance Scheme.

The gesture, which covers the premiums of the elderly citizens for two years, targeted the vulnerable senior citizens in the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

The Director General of the agency, Mr. Godwin Iyala, described the initiative as “a significant milestone in the first lady’s humanitarian outreach”.

According to Iyala, the first lady had already made full financial commitment to cover the 500 beneficiaries for the next two years.

“This initiative prioritises our elderly population, many of whom had spent decades serving their families and communities.

“Her Excellency has once again demonstrated her deep sense of empathy and leadership.

“The ripple effect of this act is far-reaching because when the aged are cared for, families are relieved, and the moral fabric of our society is strengthened”, he said.

He commended Otu for the initiative, describing it as a lifeline for elderly citizens, particularly those in the rural areas, who face significant barriers in accessing healthcare.

Iyala stated that the Agency would begin immediate enrollment of the beneficiaries into the health insurance database, to ensure they begin to enjoy prompt and uninterrupted access to medical services.

He further said that the initiative was expected to significantly ease the burden of healthcare cost to elderly citizens, offering them a renewed sense of dignity and security in their twilight years.

Niger Delta

Denmark Partners NGO On Climate Change Project In N’Delta

Published

10 hours ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

The Embassy of Denmark in Nigeria, partnering with the Academic Associate PeaceWorks (AAPW), is set to fund a two-year project towards moderating climate change impacts in the Niger Delta.

The embassy’s Senior Programme Manager in Nigeria, Nosakhare Ayejimiwo, disclosed this in a two-day Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum in Yenagoa on yesterday.

The Tide’s source reports that the forum is titled “Policy Dialogue and Exhibition on Green and Blue Economy in the Niger Delta”.

Ayejimiwo said the policy dialogue and exhibition were not only to share ideas but living demonstrations of how partnership and cooperation could lead to real and impactful change.

“One of Denmark’s strategic priorities for engagement with Africa is to increase efforts for climate adaptation, with particular focus on water, forests, and biodiversity, and support for green transition in the continent.

“We are living in a time where climate change is undeniably one of the greatest global concerns of our era.

“Yet, while its effects are felt worldwide, it is communities at the frontline like yours and others in the Niger Delta that bear the brunt of its impacts most acutely.

“The Niger Delta faces unique challenges that demand urgent, thoughtful, and locally relevant responses.

“Denmark’s partnership in this region reflects our strong commitment to supporting solutions that are inclusive, locally-led, and sustainable.

“This project is a shining example of those values in action; it embodies collaboration across sectors and stakeholders”, she said.

In her remarks, AAPW Executive Director, Judith Asuni, explained that the two-year project, implemented by AAPW, would be in four communities.

According to her, the communities are those highly affected by climate change, environmental degradation and piracy in Bayelsa and Delta States.

She added that the communities could potentially develop green and blue economies in their areas.

Asuni said, “The project aims to promote sustainable practices in both marine and terrestrial environments, emphasising conservation and resource management in the Niger Delta region.”

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Agricultural and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, reiterated the mandate of his ministry to produce food for Bayelsa, Nigerians and the world.

He noted that the administration of Governor Douye Diri had concluded that the state was too blessed to be poor or associated with poverty.

However, while attributing the state’s blessedness to its rich vegetation and soil fertility, he regretted that a large amount of food consumed in the state was being brought from outside.

“Our primary focus has been on rice production because Bayelsa State is a natural habitat for rice. So, we are supporting our rice farmers by providing inputs, seedlings and rice mills.

“Our goal is to reduce the cost of rice, and we cannot do that without collaboration with our rice farmers.

“We want to create the enabling environment for farmers to be productive”, he said.