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Rivers Can Eliminate TB By 2030, If…
Rivers State is capable of eliminating tuberculosis before the end of 2030 with the right partnership and investment, according to the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Health, Dr. Ndidi Chikanele Utchay.
Utchay, who disclosed this in her welcome address during an event marking the 2022 World Tuberculosis Day (WTD), in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said a lot was currently being done to ensure that the state was free of TB before the end of 2030.
“Fortunately, TB is curable and is among the diseases marked for eradication by the World Health Organisation (WHO). In Rivers State, the ‘End TB Strategy’ continues to guide our resolve to eliminate TB before the year 2030, with focus on the three pillars of Integrated Patient-Centred Care and Prevention, Bold Policies and Supportive Systems, and Intensified Research and Innovation”, she said.
She explained that the determination of the state to eliminate TB in the state informed the expansion of diagnostic service points from the rapid diagnostic machines (Gen-Expert) to 17 machines with a new “16-modules Gen-Expert diagnostic machine recently installed at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), 642 Directly Observed Treatment Shortcourse (DOTs) centres and 121 microscopic sites for monitoring of treatments”.
Utchay stated further that the support from partners in the state has introduced new diagnostic equipment such as TB Lamp, Trunat, and LF Lan to ensure that people have access to TB diagnostic and treatment services, “which has been, and will continue to be free-of-charge”.
Noting the 2022 theme, which is “Invest to End TB, Save Lives”, with the national slogan: “Give More, Do More, End TB”, she said it was inline with the state’s strategy to engage the corporate sector in partnership.
While thanking the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for what she called his immeasurable support to health issues, she noted that with the right investment and partnership, Rivers State can be free of TB before 2030.
In acknowledging the successes recorded by the state in pursuit of eliminating TB, the state Programme Manager, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Burulli Ulcer, Dr. Victor Oris-Onyiri, stated that beyond the 8,000 persons that have been diagnosed of TB and placed on treatment, another 9,000 missing cases in the communities need to be found.
“We need to find those cases that are missing within the communities and place them on treatments”, he said.
The 8,000 cases that were found in 2021, he said, was an improvement from previous years, and indicative of a better 2022.
“Last year, we did over 8,000 cases. It means that the health care workers are motivated, it means that a structure for success is available, and we all must take advantage of it.
“We can beat this disease in Rivers State”, he said.
Oris-Onyiri stated further that although the WHO has set aside 2035 as a time for the eradication of TB in the world, Rivers State was capable of eradicating it by 2028.
In her goodwill message to commemorate the 2022 WTD, the Programme Director, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), Rivers ART Surge Project, Olupitan Olayemi, said the institute joins the state in celebration efforts made so far in the right to eliminate TB.
“Each year, we commemorate World TB Day to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social, and economic consequences of TB and step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. Globally, TB is the second leading infectious killer disease after COVID-19.
“As the lead Implementing Partner in the US CDC funded provision of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment in Rivers State, our core mandate in the Surge Project is to bridge the 79percent gap in identifying the people living with HIV, ensure their linkage to sustained treatment and achieve viral suppression as well support TBHIV services across all supported facilities in Rivers State.
“As the people of Rivers State celebrate the progress made thus far in the fight against TB, we wish you more years of leadership and innovation in the service to humanity”, she said.
The WTD is marked on the 24th of March annually across the world.
By: Sogbeba Dokubo
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.