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COVID-19: UNICEF Provides Automatic Hand Washing Machine In Rivers
In continuation of the fight against the spread of the Coronavirus in Rivers State, the united Nations Children’s fund (UNICEF) has come up with a locally made washing machine, christened “Automatic water dispenser”.
At the hand-over of the machine, yesterday, to the State Government, represented by the Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Dr Tammunosisi Gogo-Jaja, the chief of field office, UNICEF, Rivers field office, Dr Guy Yogo said the machine” is one of the key areas of risk containment for COVID 19″.
Demonstrating how the facility can be put into use, Dr Yogo emphasized on the need to promote washing of hands as one of the key ways of checking the corona virus.
“One of the risks that we need to promote is, we need to wash our hands, we need to promote hygiene, and if we do that, we are sure that we’re going to stop the spread of the disease.
Yogo, who said the facility, which will be placed in different strategic areas of the state, said beyond the corona virus, it will also diminish the spread of other diseases that compromise the wealth of citizens.
“In addition to setting this(facility)in public places, it is also a call to individuals to ensure that every where we are, we will readily wash our hands with running water and soap, and to keep that practice in a resilient way, even after COVID-19.
“This is because, you’ll also diminish the spreading of other diseases that compromise the wealth of the citizens, and the economic growth of our nation.
“That is why UNICEF is here, either for health, for education, job protection, access to portable water, to social safety needs for developing countries.
“So, we always work and partner with Rivers State Government and the people of Rivers State to make things happen and to improve lives”. He said”.
As part of effort to ensure sustainability of the project, Yogo stated that “We will streamline our communication and community engagementt platform so as to work with the Council chairman in all the 23 LGAs of the State.
On his part, the Rivers State Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Dr Tammunosisi Gogo-Jaja, commended UNICEF’S innovation of providing such facility to enable people to wash their hands in public places, saying that it is a gesture that is in alliance with the state Governor’s standce for caring for the well-
being of Rivers people.
“Like the Governor( Nyesom Wike) says, for you to be part of Rivers State, you shouldn’t just be interested in the resource, natural resources, that come out of the soil of Rivers State. You should be interested in the well-being of the people.
“Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, UNICEF has shown enough interest in the well-being of Rivers people, having demonstrated this to our people in order to encourage hand-washing with running water. It goes a long way to say that you’re part of us,” he said.
The commissioner continued that the fact that concept of the facility was developed locally means that UNICEF is all also encouraging Rivers people to be creative in business.
“Let me say that for the fact that this concept is developed locally, and fabricated, it’s also the way of encouraging our people in doing business, because whatever money you’re going to spend, you are spending it within,” he stated.
While noting the leadership role the state Governor has played in the fight against the coronavirus in the country, he called on other international organizations, NGOs, and Oil Companies doing business in the state to borrow a leaf from UNICEF.
Sogbeba Dokubo
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.