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RSG Begins Campaign Against Bottled, Sachet Water Exposure To Sunlight …Urges Regular Hand Washing To Promote Hygiene
The Rivers State Government has launched the campaign against exposure of bottle and sachet water to sunlight.
The campaign was launched at the just-concluded 2021 Global Hand Washing Day celebration in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Dr. Tamunosiai Gogo-Jaja said at the celebration that government was determined to check further consumption of contaminated water in the state.
Gogo-Jaja said that regular hand washing has become very important to prevent diseases.
He said the advent of Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the need for regular hand washing with soap.
According to him, the theme for the celebration: “Our Future Is At Hand, Let’s Move Forward Together”, was to emphasise the importance of hand washing in the promotion of good health, sanitation and hygiene in the society.
“If you are an African, our people will say that hand washing is our tradition before we eat.
“We washed our hands after we ate. But our attitude when we want to eat is bad.
“There is a difference between washing our hands and wetting our hands”, he said.
The commissioner charged all stakeholders to carry the same massage to every nook and crannies of the state.
The Rivers State Government also urged residents to imbibe the culture of regular hand washing in order to prevent deadly infections in the state.
Gogo-Jaja, said the state government was commitment to eradicating any infection and provides quality health care service to the people of the state.
He emphasised that the government has collaborated with international donor agencies to provide automated hand washing facilities strategically positioned at public places across the state, and advised residents to take advantage of the said facilities to wash their hands at each point in time.
In his remarks, representative of the Commissioner for Information and Communications, and Director in the ministry, Mr Celestine Ogolo, said regular hand washing promotes good health in the society.
Ogolo stressed the need for the public to imbibe the culture of hand washing to enable them remain healthier.
He commended the Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development for the campaign to improve sanitation and hygiene in the state.
Also speaking, the state Chairman, Water Producers Association of Nigeria, Mr Egberi Odiri Mackson, said the campaign against exposure of water to sunlight was timely, adding that his association has been in the forefront for the push against the menace.
It would be recalled that the global hand washing day is celebrated every October 15 to raise global consciousness of hand washing practice.
By: John Bibor & Oribim Nyanaa
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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