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The Tide Correspondent Sweeps NACA Awards …As RSG Pledges Support To Combat HIV/AIDS
Tide Health Correspondent of The Tide Newspaper, Sogbeba Dokubo, last weekend, in Port Harcourt garnered two top awards from the South-South NACA Awards.
Dokubo took home the Outstanding Investigative Story and Outstanding Diversified News Story Awards.
She dominated the award list further with her NGO: Journalists’ Alliance Against HIV and Media Initiative Against HIV/AIDS.
Over the years, Dokubo has through her reports pushed for behavioural change and campaigned to raise awareness about the virus.
She stood out among other broadcast journalists from the Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC).
The Outstanding Media Performance Award went to Imaobong Akpabio of AKBC, while Amelok Ndong of the Pioneer clinched the Outstanding Feature Story award.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has affirmed that it has broken new grounds in its effort to deliver quality healthcare to Rivers people.
The state Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo disclosed this during the first NACA HIV Award Night at Landmark Hotel in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Transport, Mrs. Fanny Barango, Banigo said as part of deliberate efforts to give succour to people living with HIV, Wike abolished health facility user-fees for persons living with HIV and took over payments in all public health facilities.
Banigo said the governor had established a Faculty of Medicine in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital that has been upgraded with state-of-the-art equipment.
According to the deputy governor, the Mother and Child Hospital, Dr. Peter Odili Cancer/Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, the upgraded Government House Clinic, as well as the zonal hospitals in the three senatorial districts were set up to add value to the health system.
Banigo expressed delight that NACA South-South Zonal Office produced NACA HIV Media Reference Package for Practitioners, and noted that it has been adopted as a national resource document, which has been placed on the website of NACA for wider dissemination to the public.
She said as the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) Ambassador to NACA in Rivers State, she would continue to collaborate with NACA in perfecting the good work they were carrying out in the South-South Zone and Nigeria as a nation.
Shortly after being announced as the state with the Outstanding Media Advocacy, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, pledged support of state government against checking HIV /AIDs.
Nsirim, who spoke through the Director of Enlightenment in the ministry, Mr Celestine Ogolo, said the state has been partnering with NACA , National Council Against HIV and AIDS in the fight to curb the virus.
He said, “All the platforms of our ministry are open and available for the campaigns”.
Lauding the award recipients and South-South Office of NACA, Nsirim commended organisations and individuals who are on the frontline to check the menace, and urged them not to relent.
On her part, the South-South Zonal Coordinator of NACA, Dr. Uduak Daniel, explained that the intention of the zonal office is to ensure that all the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) live up to expectations as far as containing the spread of HIV is concerned, even in the midst of COVID-19.
“Not long after the Zonal Office was commissioned in 2020, the corona virus pandemic came in and HIV now had other public health issues to compete with.
“This made us in the South-South very innovative and flexible working with other partners and stakeholders. We were able to ensure that we had contingency plans for the NACA and COVID-19 integration”, she said.
Daniel explained further that working with partners, “we were able to ensure that HIV was still in the fore front of everything public health”, adding that while it had not been easy, there had been rewards.
Some of the gains recorded within the period in the South-South Zonal response, she said, include the strengthening of structures in NACAs in the Zone, such that even those without functional boards could still operate effectively.
By: Soibi Max-Alalibo & Kevin Nengia
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.