Nation
Enugu Urges Synergy With NPC
Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has called for synergy and strategic partnership between the state government and the National Population Commission (NPC), towards ensuring that all population related rights and privileges are accorded to the state in future census exercises.
Ugwuanyi who made the call when he received in audience a delegation from the Commission, led by its Chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, at the Government House, Enugu, noted that the published population of Enugu State, in the 2006 Census, which stood at 3, 267,837, was “a gross under-representation of our population size”.
The governor therefore hopes that with improved technology and methodology “our people will be completely counted in the coming census”.
The leadership of the Commission was in Enugu to support, create awareness and inspire stakeholders’ consensus on the ongoing Phase 14 of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD).
The exercise taking place in 84 local government areas, spanning 35 states of the Federation, is in preparatory to the next national Population and Housing Census, in which two local government areas in Enugu State (Awgu and Oji-River) are involved in the exercise.
Speaking further, Ugwuanyi acknowledged that 14 LGAs have been successfully demarcated in Enugu State, and expressed confidence that the outstanding three council areas, Enugu North, Igbo-Eze South and Igbo-Eze North, will also be demarcated in the remaining phases.
The governor disclosed that his administration, through the local government councils, has consistently provided the needed support for the past phases of the Enumeration Area Demarcation exercise “with respect to sensitisation/publicity as well as accommodation and security for the Commission’s field workers”.
Ugwuanyi assured them of the continued support and co-operation of the state government in the planning and conduct of the next Population and Housing Census in Nigeria.
Earlier in his address, the chairman of NPC, Hon. Kwarra, expressed their profound gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi for granting them audience in spite of his “very tight schedule in an effort to bring to the people, good governance and democracy dividends”.
On their visit to the governor, the NPC Boss said that it was “to create public awareness on the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) exercise and other mandate of the Commission and solicit support of the Government and good people of Enugu State for the success of these activities which have direct bearing on the socio-economic and political life of the people”.
Members of the Federal Commissioners of NPC in the chairman’s entourage were Hon. Darlington Okereke, Chidi Ezeoke, Prof. Uba Nnabue and Hon. Seyi Aderinokun representing Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo and Ogun states respectively, and Hon. Ejike Eze, a former Commissioner in Enugu State who represents the state.
By: Canice Amadi, Enugu
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rivers state has declared a one day fasting and prayer to seek divine intervention on the political crisis rocking the state.
The Association said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
State chairman of the Association,Most Rev. Dokiboeriya B. Kaladokubo said the fasting and prayer which holds February 5th at the Ecumenical center Abonnema wharf was in furtherance of the Association peace, advocacy, good governance and political stability in Rivers state.
He said the Association has observed with disappointment the dangerous trend and and gradual descent of governance in Rivers state into uncertainty and near oblivion, adding that the trend has exposed Rivers citizens to insecurity, economic hardship, loss of livelihood and the destruction of lives and property.
Kaladokubo said the association has also watched with dismay the unfolding political crisis in the state, stressing “what we see today is not merely a disagreement among political actors,it is a dangerous drift that threatens the very foundation of governance, peace, security and the collective well-being of our people”
According to him,”as the custodians of the spiritual and moral conscience of Rivers state,we can not remain silent while the state is pushed steadily towards chaos, institutional breakdown and avoidable suffering
“We are not oblivious of the fact that Rivers state like some other states in the federation often experience tension between the Executive and the Legislature “adding”when disagreement escalate they can hinder governance, delay budgets ,erode public trust and impede peaceful, constructive development”
The Christian body stressed the need for parties involved in the conflict to seek for peaceful resolution, stressing that as Christians and children of God “we should seek the path of peace and reconciliation as Christ Himself taught us”it said
The Association further encourage the both arms of government to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and prioritize good governance in Rivers state
“We also advised all the parties in these conflict to call their supporters to exercise restraint in all their utterances and de-escalate tension in the interest of peace in Rivers state ”
CAN also described as disturbing the role some elder statesmen and individuals in the state have played and continue to play in the crisis when they should have serve as voices of wisdom, restraint and unity
“Rather than guiding the process towards peace, some have taken sides,fueled division and encouraged instability becoming more dangerous than those currently holding power”,it said.
John Bibor
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