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Coronavirus: We’ve 180 Field Workers, RSG Affirms
As part of measures to keep the state safe from the ravage of Coronavirus, the Rivers State Ministry of Health says it has engaged the services of 180 medical personnel on the field.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Princewill Chike, disclosed this while appearing on a live radio phone-in programme organised by Silverbird Communications at the weekend in Port Harcourt.
In addition, he stated that serious attention was being given to the sea ports at Onne and Port Harcourt, as he cited the case of a ship whose crew were quarantined for two weeks before they were allowed to berth.
He said “We did not allow the crew to disembark until we confirmed that their tests were negative. So, we are not only concentrating on land borders.”
Speaking more on the personnel, Chike averted that they have been adequately trained and equipped.
The health commissioner explained that contrary to claims in some quarters, “Rivers State, for now, has only one case. The first one is now negative and has been discharged.”
He disclosed that the contact tracing of the first case commenced immediately, adding that this was able to check the spread of the virus.
Chike added, “Rivers State was the only state that started screening from the Domestic Wing of the airport, and so, it was easy to check community transmission.”
The commissioner frowned at the failure of the Federal Government to give support to efforts made by the state government to check the pandemic.
“Even when the Presidential Task Force visited and made promises; they have not given any support or assistance. If they claim to have assisted us, then, let them show us document of what they have given us.”
He explained that the temporary isolation centre at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium was donated by the private sector.
In the same vein, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, has dismissed views that the Coronavirus Palliative Committee was being partisan in its activities.
“The committee is a representation of many sectors of the state, and it has made public its criteria such that all stakeholder groups at the ward level adopt it before the palliatives are distributed,” Nsirim said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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