Rivers

SMEDAN Trains 40 Retirees, Others On Vocational Skills

Published

3 years ago

September 21, 2022

The Federal Government has commenced training of 40 prisoners, retirees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on vocational and entrepreneurial skills in Rivers State to enable them to earn a living.
Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr Olawale Fasanya, flagged off the two week training in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Represented by Ishaq Hamis, an official in the Enterprise Development and Promotion Department of the agency, Fasanya said the trainees would acquire skills in catering and dry cleaning, among others.
“We are focusing on three categories of Nigerians, including 40 retirees, IDPs and prison inmates, who will be trained in vocational and entrepreneurial skills.
“We want a situation whereby inmates coming out from the prison will have skills they can depend on to earn a living, rather than go back to crime.
“On the part of retirees, we are training them on specialised skills, so that they will not over-depend on their children for their survival.”
Fasanya said considering the high cost of living in the country, most children of retirees found it difficult to adequately take care of their aged parents.
“So, we want our retired senior citizens to fend for themselves rather than depend wholly on their children.
“Also, we are training the IDPs, because we want them to have a sense of belonging as well as forget their current travails and become hopeful again.
“We want them to leave their camps being confident that they have a skill to fall back on to feed themselves and their families,” he added.
He said the trainees would receive starter packs at the end of the exercise to enable them start their own businesses.
The Director General said the exercise was being held concurrently across six States–Borno, Imo, Katsina, Niger, Ondo and Rivers.
“The exercise would be organised annually, to ensure more Nigerians benefit from it,” Fasanya assured.
One of the beneficiaries, Leonard Nwaiwu, a retired director in the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry, commended SMEDAN for the training, and pleaded for expansion of the exercise.
He said after acquiring his vocational skill of choice, he would use it to take care of himself, wife and other dependents.
“So, I call on SMEDAN to implement the programme to the latter by teaching us both the theoretical and practical aspect of the training,” he said.

City Crime

Health Commissioner Extols Fubara’s Commitment To Community Healthcare Delivery

Published

19 hours ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has praised the State Governor, Siminalaye Fubara, for his commitment to community healthcare delivery in the state.

Dr. Oreh said this shortly after receiving an award of Excellence on behalf of the Governor from the Rivers State Hospital Management Board at a thanksgiving service, sendforth and award ceremony in Port Harcourt.

The Health Commissioner said the Governor is not only committed to transforming the health sector, but fiercely protecting the interest of Rivers State people.

She said it was against this background that the Governor is working hard to ensure quality healthcare for all rural communities in the state.

According to the Commissioner, “it is this protectiveness that makes him to standup for the people of Rivers State.

“It is this protectiveness and acknowledgement that health is first wealth, that makes him to give necessary attention to the health sector.”

Dr. Oreh also praised past and present Chief Medical Directors of the Board for their efforts in keeping Secondary health care institutions in the state afloat despite various challenges.

The Commissioner also commended the current Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Bright Ogbonda, for his competence and dedication to service, adding that she was particularly delighted that the current CMD has adopted an innovative approach to accomplish so much in the Board.

She promised to continuously stand as an advocate for the Board and push for improvement in the conditions of health care workers across the state.

Earlier the Chief Medical Director of the Board, Dr. Ogbonda, commended the State Governor for reforming the secondary health sector, stressing that within the last two years, the Governor has carried out massive reconstruction of General Hospitals across the state and constructed of the Neuro psychiatric hospital at Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt.

He also commended the Governor for employing over 2,000 health workers and ensuring prompt payment of salaries and allowances of newly employed health workers in the state.

Ogbonda said the gesture by the Governor has made the Board the envy of other boards and parastatals in the state.

He also attributed the success recorded so far by the Board to the effort of past CMDs, Directors and staff who laid a solid foundation for the growth and development of the Board.

The occasion featured the presentation of awards of Excellence to the Governor, the Commissioner for Health, and all former CMDs of the Board.

Other awards include, award for best performing hospitals in the state in which General Hospital, Ogu, emerged first, seconded by both civil servants clinic and Zonal Hospital, Bori, while third place went to General Hospital, Eleme.

For the best performing Medical Directors, the first position went to the Doctor incharge of Okrika General Hospital, while first and second runners up went to Dr. Mina Ikuru of Civil Servants Clinic and Dr. Okere of Eleme General Hospital.

The occasion also featured the unveiling of the third edition of Health Spring Magazine by the Board.

John Bibor

Rivers

Groups Seek Enforcement Of Protective Laws For PWDs

Published

22 hours ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative, and the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, an umbrella organisation for Persons with Disability (PWDs) in Rivers State, have called for the enforcement of various laws that protect persons with disabilities.

They said this will guarantee public sector participation, implementation of target welfare policies on the part of the government, and public awareness on their responsibilities.

Leader of the PWDs in Rivers State, Kie Obomanu, made the call while speaking during a recent rally and public enlightenment/advocacy campaign on the basic needs and reasons it has become necessary for the public to know their obligation to Persons with Disabilities.

He said the purpose of the rally is to stop discrimination and stigmatisation against persons with disabilities, and at the same time calling for criminalization and redress of such practice

Obomanu also used the opportunity to commend the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), a non-governmental Organisation known for its inclusive peace-building and economic development interventions, for funding the programme.

He encouraged PIND not to relent in its efforts of providing the platform for escalating advocacies and public enlightenment programmes, and for PIND to remain relentless and steadfast in its pursuit for the establishment of an egalitarian society where inclusivity is the watchword and humanitarian purposes are achieved.

Obomanu called on individuals, groups, corporate organizations and government at all levels to enhance the opportunity for persons with disabilities, most especially, provision of jobs for them.

In the same vein, the representative of Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative, Mrs. Doris Onyinye Igweh, emphasised the need for continuous synergy between development partners and the community of PWDs to ensure rapid economic development policies for them.

She also asked for critical interventions in key areas, such as education, health, information/communication, employment, and community-based initiatives.

In the various speeches of the participants, some of them expressed the pain and experience they have gone through as a result of their conditions.

Those who spoke during the programme include Esther Wahu, John Obaye, Godswill Chibuzor, and Moses Gozi, who presented wonderful rendition of gospel songs.

The Tide’s source reports that a greater number of PWDs are educated in various fields, but without jobs.

Rivers

Eze Gbakagbaka Commends Gov on Radio Rivers’ Transformation, Peaceful Governance

Published

22 hours ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, Nyerisi Eli Woji, His Majesty, Prof. Leslie N. Eke, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for what he described as the Governor’s “purposeful governance” reflected in the recent transformation of the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation (RSBC), popularly known as Radio Rivers.

Eze Eke gave the commendation when he spoke in an interview with newsmen at his palace in Woji Community, Obio Akpor Local Government Area.

The revered monarch noted that the station’s acquisition of an operational Outside Broadcast (OB) van, a new studio complex and improved, steady power supply marked a significant milestone in public broadcasting in the state, describing the development as timely and impactful.

According to him, the improvements at Radio Rivers have enhanced the station’s capacity to serve as a credible platform for information dissemination, public enlightenment and civic engagement, particularly in a diverse and politically sensitive state like Rivers.

He said the feat underscored Governor Fubara’s commitment to strengthening public institutions and investing in infrastructure that promotes transparency, accountability and inclusive governance, adding that a functional state-owned broadcast outfit remains vital to democratic growth.

The Eze Gbakagbaka, who is the incumbent Chairman, Supreme Forum of Ikwerre Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, further lauded the governor’s attention to issues of good governance, stressing that effective leadership must prioritize institutional stability, service delivery and the welfare of the people, rather than personal or sectional interests.

Eze Eke, who is also the President, Association of Christian Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (AOCTRON), further commended the Governor for sustaining peace across the state, noting that the prevailing atmosphere of calm has enabled government policies and development programmes to take root, while fostering unity among the various ethnic nationalities.

He urged stakeholders, including traditional rulers, the media and civil society, to support the administration’s efforts by promoting dialogue, responsible reportage and community-based peacebuilding initiatives.

The monarch reaffirmed the support of his Kingdom for policies and programmes aimed at consolidating peace and accelerating development in Rivers State, while calling on the government to sustain the tempo of reforms for the overall benefit of the people.

King Onunwor