Rivers
Wike, God-Sent To Rivers -LG Boss
The Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Michael John Williams, has extolled the virtues of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, describing him as a God-sent to the State.
Speaking when he played host to a delegation from the Ministry of Education at his office in Degema, the Council Chairman stated that Governor Wike has been steadfast and unrelenting in his efforts at developing the State, despite being at the tail end of his administration.
He added that at a time when most of the governor’s counterparts across the country were solely concerned about the politics of transition and 2023, Governor Wike had continued to commission and flag-off new projects to the chagrin of his traducers.
The LGA Chief Executive, who commended Governor Wike for his giant developmental footprints in Degema LGA, told the delegation that the LGA had never had it this good from the State Government, since its creation.
While thanking the Governor for showing uncommon interest in the development of Degema people through his many projects like the model secondary schools in Bakana, Tombia and Obuama, as well as the Trans-Kalabari Road, amongst others, Hon. Williams prayed that Governor Wike’s successor should follow his exemplary footsteps in his developmental agenda, for the advancement of the State.
He promised to support the Ministry of Education in whatever capacity that would be required, adding that Degema would always partner with programmes championed by Wike, geared towards improving the welfare of the people of the LGA and Rivers State in general.
Earlier, leader of the delegation, Dr. Ovunda Ihunwo, stated that their mission to the LGA was to ascertain the condition of schools, with a view to improving them.
Dr. Ihunwo noted that the delegation, who was sent on the facility tour of the LGA at the instance of the Commissioner for Education, Prof Prince Chinedu Mmom, was on the visit to assess the needs of the government-owned schools, in terms of physical infrastructure as well as other challenges bedeviling the schools, in line with Governor Wike’s blueprint in revamping the education sector.
“We know the kind of Governor we are working with. He is a man who has determined to keep working until his last day in office. So, there is nothing like government is winding down; work is still at optimum.
“That is why we are here to do some on-the-spot assessment of government schools,” he stated.
He said the team would submit its findings and recommendations to the Ministry of Education for necessary action, at the end of the assessment exercise, which he said was taking place across the State.
The team were later taken round on inspection by the Supervisor for Education in the LGA, Hon. Garrick Ibima Firstbury.
Included in the delegation were Dr. Ezaale Okowa, Dr. Eme Budu Eme, and Dr. Mombe Michael Ngongeh.
By: Theresa Frederick
The Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board (RSPHCMB) says it will commence Supplemental Immunization activities on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to vaccinate children from 0-5 years across the State.
The State Health Educator, Dr. Diana Babbo, who stated this during a sensitisation meeting with Media Advocate for Health, Rivers State, on the update of immunization exercise in Rivers State, said the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) is a re-enforcement of the routine immunization at the health facilities.
According to her, it is aimed at boosting polio immunisation against the circulating variance of polio virus currently threatening the total eradication of polio in the country.
She further stated that there are four pillars of polio eradication, namely routine immunization (administered on babies in the health centre), supplemental immunization activity (supplements to boost the babies), surveillance (searching for children that have weakness in their legs or some oart of their bodies), and outbreak response.
The Health Educator noted that the Novel Oral Polio Vaccination Type 2 (NOPV 2) will be administered to children under the age of 0-5 years, which targets a specific polio still in existence in communities and capable of causing paralysis among the stated categories of children, despite the country being certified a polio-free nation.
Dr. Babbo further stated that this year’s NIPDs will address the high number of unresolved non-compliance cases in the State.
She debunked what she tagged a false rumour by mischief makers which claimed that the vaccines are responsible for the development of autism in children.
She said, “vaccines are not known to be responsible for the development of autism. We’re just hearing that. The truth is that one cannot know everything.
“That aspect that has been found, have we looked into other aspects, such as genetically modified foods, drinks, and milks that our children are taking?
“Have we also looked at genetic compatibility between couples before we now say vaccines are causing x, y, z things?
“Are we looking at the environment where these things are happening, what they are peculiar to?
“It must not be peculiar to all the families, there could be something also that’s happening around that we have not known. Research is evolving, let us not accuse our precious vaccines that have succeeded so far in my knowledge, to keep as many sicknesses at bay.
“The reason we do not have small pox in our world today, apart from the lab (a bio-lab) is because we vaccinated to the point where we were able to move small pox totally out of existence from human beings. We can succeed with that same pattern with all kinds of viruses”.
She stated that the connection between autism and vaccination could merely be coincidence.
Babbo, therefore, urged all parents, churches, and school owners to avail their children/wards the opportunity to be vaccinated against polio the stated exercise.
Sogbeba Dokubo
Engr Obi Fortune, a renowned philanthropist, has donated 80 desks to four secondary schools in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The donation is part of his commitment to advancing education in the area.
The schools that benefited from the gesture includes- Community Secondary School Umuoye.
Community Secondary School Akwa- Government Secondary School Ozuzu and Community Primary School Okehi 2 and all the schools got 20 units each of the desks.
Speaking during the brief handing-over ceremony held recently in okehi recently, Engr Obi stated that the donation fulfills his promise to use proceeds from his book sales to procure desks for schools in the LGA.
He disclosed that more desks will arrive soon and expressed his continued commitment to supporting education in the area.
Obi urged the schools to make good use of the desks and called on other individuals to contribute to the educational needs in the area.
This gesture demonstrates Engr Obi’s dedication to improving education in Etche LGA.
A professor of social and political philosophy at Rivers State University (RSU ) Nkpolu Oroworukwu port Harcourt, Prof Agha Eresia _Eke has emphasized that citizenship participation is crucial for achieving true democratic government. He stressed that citizens’ involvement in exercising their basic rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, is essential for a democratic institution to thrive.
Eresia _Eke stated this while presenting his inaugural lecture at the 111 university’s inaugural lecture series with the topic “Nigeria Democratic practices:a contextual paradox”held at the university senate auditorium in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
According to him, core democratic values which include:,- Respect for individual rights and freedoms, Protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, Equality before the law, Freedom of speech, assembly, and association, Protection of privacy and personal autonomy.
“Through out history, the problem that has agitated social and political philosophers has been to work _out a model for the realization of the common good of man.
Man has always sought and developed methods and systems of organising himself according to his true nature as a rational being.”he stated.
Eresia-Eke notes that Nigeria is not practicing a true federalism and highlights the importance of a pragmatic approach to democracy, where ideas and solutions are tested and refined in real-world environments.
He emphasized that citizens must hold their leaders accountable and demand respect for human rights, stressing that by doing so, citizens can undertake their civic obligations and responsibilities, strengthening society as a whole.
Earlier in his address, the Vice chancellor of the university, Prof Zeb _Obipi commended the lecturer for his brilliant performance, adding that he has justified and proven that he is a professor in his area of specialization.
The VC averred that the university has been consistent in the inaugural lecture monthly and assured that his administration will continue to continue to keep the trend.