News
Group Takes Free Medical Outreach To Rural Communities In Rivers
Inline with it sphilosophy of reaching the unreached, a socio-political group – The Rivers Equity Group – has embarked on a medical outreach to rural communities in the state.
National Leader of the group, Elder Clapton Ogolo, told newsmen during the programme at the Ogale Civic Centre, Eleme, that the outreach was based on a need assessment conducted by the group.
“We are here to continue with what we feel should be done in the rural areas and local government areas.
“Like you know, we had aneed assessment, and we realised that most of the people in the rural areas have need for medical attention, particularly their sight.
“We decided to simplify their health status by coming here”, he said.
Ogolo said the group has already visited four local government areas, stressing that all local government areas would be visited.
He said the programme would help those who cannot read to read as well as know how to vote during the 2023 elections.
Ogolo commended the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for his support towards the success of the programme, noting that it shows his concern for the health of Rivers people.
Also speaking, Sir. Emeka Ichoku, said the programme was to improve the health conditions of the people.
Ichoku said the outreach would be taken to all local government areas of the state.
He said the programme was made possible with the support of the PDP Governorship Candidate in Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, noting that it shows his deep concern for the health of Rivers people.
Ichoku also maintained that the outreach would also be used by the group to sensitise the people on the importance of collection of their permanent voters cards (PVCs).
In his remarks, a former permanent secretary in the state, Sir John Nalley, restated that the medical outreach was based on a need assessment conducted by the group.
He said the assessment revealed that the people needed medical attention as a matter of urgency.
Nalley commended the PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, SirSiminialayiFubara, for his support to the group to undertake the medical outreach.
On her part, Managing Director of Linsolar Eye Clinic,Dr.Adeline Aluge, said over 700 persons have been tested and provided with eye glasses.
She said those with serious cases were being referred to both secondary and tertiary medical institutions for treatment.
Speaking,Chairman of ElemeLocal Government Area, Chief ObarillormateOllor, described the programme as a sign of great things to come.
Ollor, who said this during a courtesy call by the group in his office, also pledged his council’s preparedness to collaborate with the group to reach all nooks and crannies of the area.
He also commended the people for the massive turn out for the programme, and added that the council would undertake the treatment of those with serious cases.
Ollor thanked the leadership of the Rivers Equity Group for finding Eleme worthy to benefit from their project.
He expressed his administration’s readiness to identify with the group, and asserted that the service the group has embarked upon would open the way for the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the state.
According to him, “when you reach out to the helpless, God will repay such kindness by making you achieve what you are looking for”.
“I listened carefully to your presentation and waited eagerly to hear such comments as we appeal for your financial assistance but it never came rather you are emphasizing the need to reach out to as many indigent persons as possible to give them a better life through medical support while difficult cases shall be referred to other secondary and or tertiary medical institutions.
“This makes it clear that the impact of what you are here to do today will have a far reaching effect and a lasting impact on our people. It is because of this high level of commitment, dedication and readiness to sincerely assist our people that I am going to support this group so that it can achieve even greater goals. As a local government, we shall also support those whose cases shall require referral to ensure that they are given the needed medical attention”, Ollor noted.
Ollor said the move has reassured him and enhanced his confidence in the Sir SimFubara’s candidacy.
He noted that, “Sim is the engine room of Rivers State and no one else knows Rivers State at the apex of governance more than him, therefore, if he supports this kind of idea, it gives us a clue to what he can do when he eventually emerges as governor”.
Also PDP Chairman in Eleme, Hon.FyneOlungwe, described the programme as the beginning of a new era in Rivers State.
Olungwe said the programme has shown that the next PDP administration in the state would bring health care to the door steps of every Rivers man and woman.
Some beneficiaries of the programme, including Pastor Joshua Joshua,Mrs Mercy Chiteh, and others, thanked the group for the gesture, and called for the programme to be sustained.
Over 300 persons benefited from the scheme as they were given free medication and medicated glasses.
By: John Bibor
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.
The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.
Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”
He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.
Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”
He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.
“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.
According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.
He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”
The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”
He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.
The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.
It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”
The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.
The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.
Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.
According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”
Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.
“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.
Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”
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