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COVID-19: UPTH Set To Tackle Pandemic In N’Delta, CMD Assures
The management of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) says the hospital is ready to tackle any atom of suspected Coronavirus in Rivers State and across the Niger Delta region.
This is as the hospital insisted that there was no case of the pandemic in the state even as the hospital has not recorded any patient with such virus.
“There is no single confirmed case of Coronavirus in Rivers State, even in UPTH complex”, the Chief Medical Director, Prof Henry Arinze Ugboma, said.
Briefing newsmen at the hospital complex over the weekend, the CMD, said COVID-19 had hit over 125 countries and had been declared as a pandemic to the lives of humans across the globe.
Represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Prof Princewill Stanley, Ugboma said only two confirmed cases of the virus were recorded in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos and Ogun states.
He noted that UPTH was competent and capable to tackle the scourge, if reported, even as he said the hospital has enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the hospital.
The hospital, CMD said, was in strong collaboration with the Rivers State Government to tackle the menace, if any outbreak, as it had competent team of experts to tackle the virus.
“In Rivers State, we have taken a very strong leadership role by carrying out training. UPTH has benefited a lot, and there has been heightened state of readiness on the pandemic”, the CMD said.
“We have heightened our readiness to tackle the pandemic in the state, we have the competence and capacity to tackle the scourge,” he said.
Ugboma, who debunked claims that a suspected patient with the virus reported to the hospital for treatment, said, such information, was false, as UPTH did not attend to any of such case as speculated.
He admonished Nigerians to practice safe hygiene and maintain regular hand washing to reduce the possible contraction of the virus through person-to-person.
The CMD said the hospital had created 23 hand washing points in the clinics and wards for staff and patients to curb cross infection.
“We are practicing safe hygienic conduct in UPTH, we are also making hygienic hand washing compulsory as we have created over 23 hand washing points in the hospital”, Ugboma said.
He added, “We have posters containing steps on how to minimise the scourge, we also have some PPE in our hospital to tackle the virus”.
He advised Nigerians to keep a distance from persons coughing or sneezing to avoid any possible contraction of the virus.
However, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced a suspected case of the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Enugu State.
This was disclosed via its official Twitter handle: @ncdcgov, yesterday.
The centre stated that the suspected person had been isolated and sample collected for further verification.
It added that the result of the medical test would be out by today.
The statement on the Twitter handle reads: “Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is aware of the patient in Enugu, suspected to have #COVID19.
“This is one of several alerts received daily at the National #COVID19 Emergency Operations Centre.
“The patient is in isolation, sample collected and results expected tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has also confirmed the suspected case, but assured residents that the state’s Ministry of Health was on top of the situation.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Chidi Aroh, told newsmen that the ministry’s officials were able to detect the case due to its high surveillance of health security.
Aroh said the ministry had earlier issued a statement on the suspected case after reporting the situation to the NCDC.
The commissioner appealed to residents to remain calm as the suspect was being closely monitored.
Chinedu Wosu
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol