News

COVID-19: Military Unveils 17 Isolation, Treatment Centres

Published

6 years ago

March 31, 2020

The Nigerian Military, yesterday, named 17 isolation and treatment centres across the country for the management of confirmed Coronavirus cases.
It also confirmed that an unnamed military officer, who recently returned from overseas assignment, tested positive for COVID-19 and has been admitted at the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital in Abuja.
The Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, who briefed journalists at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, also disclosed that the Armed Forces will implement the restriction on movement as contained in the Presidential directive.
He listed the isolation and treatment centres to include; the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba; 2 Division Hospital, Ibadan; Military Hospital, Port Harcourt; Navy Reference Hospital, Calabar; and the Military Hospital, Benin.
Others are: the 211 Regiment Group Medical Centre, Owerri; 82 Division Military Hospital, Enugu; 161 Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Makurdi; 22 Brigade Medical Centre, Ilorin; 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna; 465 Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Kano; and the 263 Nigerian Air Force Reference Hospital, Daura.
Also listed were 119 Composite Group Medical Centre, Sokoto; 261 Nigerian Air Force Reference Hospital, Bauchi; 163 Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Yola; 7 Division Military Hospital, Maiduguri; and 27 Task Force Brigade Field Ambulance, Damaturu.
According to Enenche, “You may recall that on March 27, 2020, I briefed you on the highlights of the level of preparedness of the Nigerian Military in support of the Federal Government of Nigeria towards tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In this regard, I am to give you more details on the preparedness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, which are as follows: A Committee headed by the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Major General Leo Irabor, is in place interfacing with all relevant ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As mentioned in my first briefing regarding COVID-19, there are 17 isolation and treatment centres earmarked which are spread across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“Further to this, a good number of Armed Forces of Nigerian medical personnel have been earmarked to be trained on the management of COVID-19 cases, which will be done in liaison with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)”.
He added that, “in the same vein, about 48 Disaster Response Units of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are on Notice To Move in conjunction with NEMA. These units will handle operations other than medicals that may arise in the course of this non kinetic military operation.
“Finally, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is to implement all restriction on movement in line with the Federal Government of Nigeria. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Presidential Directive given by the President Commander-In-Chief, during his address to the Nation on the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 29, 2020.
“The High Command of Nigerian Military hereby solicits for the support of the general public in this trying period of the fight against COVID-19. This can be achieved by adhering to all the medical and administrative guidelines being provided by government at all levels”.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), also, yesterday, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria is ready to execute the Presidential directive on the fight against the Coronavirus (Covid-19)
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen John Enenche, speaking at a news conference, yesterday in Abuja, said the military has a two-way plan, including giving medical support and security aspects to assist in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
Enenche noted that the military was ready to implement all restrictions on movement in line with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The military would act in support of the civil authorities to enforce the restriction of movement.
He said that the penalty for those who would flaunt the restriction order would be handled by the police, adding that military personnel had been adequately trained on how to perform their duties.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Presidential Directive given by the President, Commander-In-Chief during his address to the nation on the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 29, 2020.
“The High Command of Nigerian Military hereby solicits the support of the general public in this trying period of the fight against COVID-19.
“This can be achieved by adhering to all the medical and administrative guidelines being provided by the government at all levels,’’ he added.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

11 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

12 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

12 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.