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WTD: Rivers Ranks 5th In Tuberculosis Burden …Targets Religious Leaders
As the world marks the 2020 World Tuberculosis (TB) Day across the globe, today, the major target in Rivers State is to ensure that the state changes her 5th high burden status among the 36 states and Abuja, with its current burden estimated at above 16,000.
Making this known in an exclusive interview, the state Programme Manager for the Control of TB, Leprosy, and Burulli Ulcer, Dr Victor Oris-Onyiri, said the target this year will therefore be on religious leaders in the state.
According to him, this is because religious leaders occupy positions through which greater number of the population can be educated on TB.
“On the 24 of March (today) we will be inviting our religious leaders. We know that the religious leaders are very vital and important members of our society. They are very respected in our society.
“We believe that them joining us to raise awareness will go a long way in reaching millions of people who are worshippers of various churches and mosques.
“When considerable number of their followers are enlightened, they can know when to go for diagnosis, and subsequently be treated, which will ultimately lesson the infection burden”, he said.
In spite of Rivers State being ranked 5th in high burden in Nigeria, Oris-Onyiri said the treatment for TB is high in the state, noting that the major challenge is in identifying infected persons.
“The challenge is in finding more cases, but making sure that they are cured is not a problem to us, because our indicator shows that we’re doing well in quality of care we rendered to them”, he stated.
Oris-Onyiri further noted that last year over 3,000 people were diagnosed of TB and subsequently placed on treatment.
“We have a very good treatment outcome in Rivers State. Our cure rate is high; our treatment success rate is almost 90%.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) target for success rate is about 25%. We’re almost hitting that line. Cure rate is even more better”, he concluded.
World TB Day is marked annually on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic effects of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
The date marks the day in 1882 when a German Physician and Microbiologist, Dr Robert Koch, announced he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing the disease.
With the theme, “It’s Time”, this year’s focus is on accelerating the TB response to save lives and end suffering, build on high level commitments by Heads of States at the 2018 United Nations Level Meeting on TB.
The event will hold at the Conference Hall of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).
Sogbeba Dokubo
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Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene