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Association Concludes Advocacy In Five Rivers LGAs

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In its effort to fill gaps in the health sector, particularly as it relates to AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM), the Association of Civil Societies in Malaria Control, Immunization, and Nutrition (ACOMIN) has concluded its advocacy visits to five Local Government Areas (LGA).
ACOMIN took its advocacy against ATM to Tai, Khana, Obio/Akpor, and Port Harcourt LGA Headquarters, as well as the Primary Healthcare facility at Eleme LGA.
In her opening remarks during the visits, which lasted three days, the Rivers State Programme Officer, ACOMIN, Mrs. Maryjane C. Akwuaka, explained the reason for the visit.
“We, the State Advocacy Team for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, are here to introduce to you the programme called COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C-19 RM) Project for health.
“The project is all about identifying gaps in health facilities in our various Wards. When we identify these gaps, we’ll advocate for solutions to them”, she said.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Coordinator, Network of people Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Blessing Chigozim, explained that beyond identifying the gaps, efforts are made to ensure that such gaps are closed.
“The major concern of this programme is not just to identify gaps, but to also ensure that the gaps are closed.
“Towards this end, all the Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) working in the communities are to work together as a team to ensure that the purpose and objective of this (ATM) programme is achieved in the LGAs”, she said.
The gaps, according to the State Chairman, ACOMIN, Pastor John Ihua-Maduenyi, includes issues and or factors that constitute impediment to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria patients from accessing services in health facilities in various communities.
He said: “Some of the gaps may be that people complain about the distance to the facility, or, for pregnant women, that they prefer Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs). The facility may be inaccessible due to the bushy nature of the path to it, etc.
“These gaps when noticed are to be reported to the leadership of the community by the Ward Development Chairman (WDC) for solution, because it’s a community project, communities are expected to own the facilities.
“When the challenge is beyond the communities, it’s escalated to the LGAs. It’s when the LGAs cannot handle it that ACOMIN comes in to escalate escalate it to the State Healthcare Board for solutions”.
For every gap noticed, advocacy is taken to well meaning individuals, companies, organisations and government at various levels for solution, she explained further.
“That’s what this programme is all about: up-take and good service”, the ACOMIN boss concluded.
At the Tai LGA Headquarters, the Supervisor for Health, Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Hon. Lesor Mascot Friday, who represented the LGA Chairman, assured ACOMIN that the LGA will always support any venture that will be beneficial to it’s citizenry.
In Eleme LGA, the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) at the LGA’s Primary Healthcare Center, Dr. Tonye Lawson-Jack, while assuring ACOMIN of necessary collaboration, used the opportunity to eleborate on internal efforts already in place.
“We have actually explored the approach you intend to use in the past. However, there’s no number of times you will say is too much to keep trying. So, we are glad that an independent body is taking it upon itself to synergise with the advocay for which we already have a unit”, he said.
The MOH of both PHALGA, and Obio/Akpor LGAs, Dr. Obellay E. Abbey and Dr. Stanley Amadi respectively also assure on collaborating with ACOMIN in the ATM Project.
It was the same assurance at the Khana Primary Healthcare Center, where the Local Immunization Officer (LIO), Monica Kpugimaape, spoke on behalf of the MOH.

By: Soibi Max-Alalibo

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IYC Demands Apology Over Arrest Of Soboma Jackrich

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The Elders Council of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has demanded for an apology from the security agencies over the recent invasion of the residence of Ambassador Soboma Jackrich where two of his aides were killed.
The council said this in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Signed by Elder Afonya Horsefall, Chairman Ijaw Youth Elders Council, KalabariSekpangi, said the military, by the invasion has trampled on the inalienable rights of its leader.
According to the organisation, “the wanton destruction of his property and the killing of aides is repugnant to natural justice and must be restituted.
It stressed the need for the security agencies to be professional in their approach to security, adding that every action of the security agencies must be within the ambit of the law.
The group described Ambassador Soboma Jackrich as a prominent Ijaw leader who has contributed immensely towards the development of the Niger Delta and the relative peace in the region.
The IYC also called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara to come to the aide of the Niger Delta people by ensuring security and development in the region.

By: John Bibor

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Fubara Has Demystified Governance-Elder Statesman

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As Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration is set to mark itsone year anniversary, an elder statesman, Sir Fubara Hart, says governance in Rivers State under the governor has been demystified.
Hart, two-time House of Representatives aspirant, therefore, called on Rivers people to rally round the Governor in show of support to achieve the desired objective.
Hart, in an interview in Port Harcourt, said under Governor Fubara, infrastructural development and human capital development are given .maximum attention they deserve for the wellbeing of the citizenry.
He said available evidences abound in the State, judging from the thanksgiving rallies organised by the Simplified Movement, saying it is a strong indication that Rivers people are pleased with the wave of development in the State.
He noted that the spread of projects across the nooks and crannies of the State, unlike in the past, has endeared the Governor to the people who are celebrating him.
Hart said under Governor Fubara, Rivers, people can feel a sense of belonging, as governance is being given a human face through the distribution of social amenities across the board.
He maintained that it would be appropriate to support Governor Fubara, rather than distracting him, saying Governor Fubara has shown his determination to change the fortunes of the people, especially the unreached, among the populace .
“In the past, it wasn’t like this, a scenario where one man divided and cornered the wealth of the people is over. Rivers people are pleased, being carried along and being allowed to contribute to the growth of the State.
The multi-billion naira Port Harcourt Ring Road; Trans-Kalabari road project; the low cost housing units; Songhai farm rehabilitation; and job creation can be described as the monumental achievements Governor Fubara has recorded.
“Gone are the days projects are sited in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area alone. Rivers people can now see projects in all parts of the State. We appeal to detractors to allow Governor Fubara serve his people, give him maximum cooperation as it was given to Wike and others who had ruled the State. Others ruled for eight years, so nothing will stop our own.
Governor Fubara is one of the best things that has happened to Rivers State, as his peaceful disposition, accessibility and open-door policy are hallmark of leadership. He came for Rivers people, as seen in his actions and conduct. Anyone fighting him is an enemy of Rivers people and should be jettisoned,” he said.
Hart said the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili was right by endorsing Governor Fubara as the political leader of the State as provided in the PDP Constitution.
The PDP meant well by enshrining it in his Constitution, which the All Progressives Congress (APC) borrowed to implement.
The elderstatesman, therefore, appealed to all PDP members to respect the party’s Constitution as it is supreme.
He urged the 27 lawmakers led by Hon Martin Amaewhule to know that they are no longer lawmakers in the eyes of the law as any law made by them cannot stand.
While urging them to desist from being used by one selfish politician to destablise the peace existing in the State, Hart pleaded with the Governor to remember Bonny Local Government Area in the award of road projects, as Bonny internal roads are begging for attention.

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Monarch Lauds Fubara Over Solicitor-General’s Appointment

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The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, King Leslie Eke, has praised the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over the appointment of Mrs Ibiwari Charity Clapton-Ogolo as Permanent Secretary and Solicitor- General of the State.
Eke  said this at a press briefing to mark his birthday at his palace in Woji in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
He said Clapton-Ogolo being a seasoned lawyer will do as expected in an attempt to project and defend the interest of the people.
According to him, such opportunity will also reduce the work-load on the office of the Attorney -General of the State.
The traditional ruler also said the appointment will aid in prompt delivery of justice in the State.
The appointment, he noted, has further demonstrated the Governor’s strength in governance of the State and not weakness as argued in some quarters.
He said those who are not in tune with the modern ways of governance will always be at the sea at each step taken by Governor Fubara.
The Governor, he further explained, is full of wisdom and is prepared to better the lots of Rivers people.
“I am at home with the Governor’s leadership style. He is calculative and he always hits the nail on the head. Well, people are free to say anything they like, but for me, the Governor is a goal getter”, he said.
He re-emphasised the intention of the entire Evo Kingdom’s undiluted support for the present administration as he prayed God to continue to guide and direct the Governor aright in order to enable him deliver credibly on the mandate given him.
It would be recalled that the State has for some time operated with only the office of the Attorney-General of the State until the recent appointment of the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of State by Governor Fubara.

By: King Onunwor

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