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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
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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