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PMTCT: Find,Test, Treat, Document Achievable, But… -UNICEF

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3 years ago

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Contrary to widely held belief that given Nigeria’s peculiar challenges witnessed in Mother-To-Child-Transmission (MTCT) of HIV/AIDS elimination, that Nigeria may be unable to achieve “Find, Test, Treat, and Document” all HIV related statistics in Nigeria, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says it is possible.
Speaking in an exclusive interview at the end of a 3-day Prevention of Mother-To- Child-Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV stakeholders Review in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the Health Specialist, UNICEF, Port Harcourt Field Office, Dr Anslem Audu, said it is achievable.
He, however, noted that for it to be achieved every stakeholder has to live up to expectations in their various areas of concern.


Such stakeholders, he said, include the government, partners etc.
“We can achieve it, if everybody do what they are supposed to do: the government, partners, Healthcare workers.
“It’s something that’s achievable, but we all need to ensure that we do what we’re supposed to do”, he said.
Dr Audu further noted that on the part of government and partners, there is need to be an understandable synergy in efforts at addressing PMTCT.
This, he hinted, is due to the fact that most HIV/AIDs activities are donor-driven, and that currently donor funds are dwindling.
“Most of the activities in PMTCT are donor-driven and partner-driven.
“Now that the donor funds are dwindling, there is absolute need for partners to start planning with government, during their annual provisional plan, to put issues that government need to address: budget for certain things that need to be done to improve PMTCT programme, and shift the responsibility to government.”

On his part, the Director, Disease Control, Rivers State Primary HealthCare Management Board, Dr Ekanem, Nyarawo Effiong said Rivers State can only attain the ‘Find, Test, Treat and Document all’, or possibly eradicate MTCT, if ‘’we, the professionals, and the decision makers at the policy level consider it as a must do, can do project, than to just look at it as one of those things that becomes routine.
“If we take it as something like a campaign that we have to do it, we can always get 100 percent, or close to that”, he said.

By: Sogbeba Dokubo

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Rivers

Rivers High Court Restrain Trustees, Knights of St. John International, Others From Conducting Election

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4 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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The High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has restrained the registered trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria, and four others from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920 CIWA, Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery elections, and Supreme Subordinate elections of the Knights of St John International, Nigeria, pending the determination of the substantive matters before them.

Justice G.C. Aguma and Justice V.C. Ugoji, in their separate interim orders of injunction issued in Suit No: PHC/4410/CS/2025 and Suit No: PHC/4359/CS/2025, respectively, restrained the defendants, whether by themselves, their privies, agents, servants, or any person or group of persons working under them, from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery, Port Harcourt Commandery, and Supreme Subordinate of Knights of St John International, Nigeria.

The claimants, Sir Njoku Chukwuemeka Andrew and Sir Chukwuemeka Martin Mba, in separate suits, through their legal representatives, dragged the defendants to court, seeking an order to restrain them from appointing or installing any interim caretaker executive or leadership to run or pilot the affairs of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.

The defendants in the matter are: Registered Trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria; Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Ufuoma Okene, the Grand President, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery, Knights of St John International; Noble Brother Viktor Benebo, the Chairman Investigation Committee set up by the 2nd Defendant to investigate the claimants; Sir Architect Prempeh Ebiware, the District 48 Commander, Knights of St John International, Port Harcourt; and Sir Harry Oruma, member of Knights of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.

The two judges, after listening to the counsels in the matter, granted the claimants’ request and adjourned the matter to 10/12/2025 and 16/12/2025, respectively, for hearing of the motion on notice.

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Rivers

Police Arrest Workman Over Attack On Supervisor 

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4 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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The Boundary Police Division in Aluu Community, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, has arrested a workman identified simply as Joshua for allegedly attacking a site supervisor, Sopiriala Sokari, with a broken bottle, leaving him in coma.
According to information gathered by The Tide, the suspect remained in police custody over the weekend while medical personnel struggled to save the victim’s life at an undisclosed hospital in Aluu.
Speaking with journalists after regaining consciousness, Sokari explained that he had hired the suspect to carry out some work at the site for ?20,000.
Trouble reportedly began when Joshua rejected a ?10,000 part payment, which Sokari had offered with a promise to complete the balance after inspecting and confirming the work.
Sokari narrated how the suspect later trailed him to an eatery near the Obiri-Ikwerre Flyover, where he attacked him with a broken bottle even after a food vendor handed the full ?20,000 to the suspect in an attempt to prevent the incident.
“I am calling on Nigerians to help me. I have spent a lot of money. I need justice”, the victim pleaded.
An unverified video clip circulating online showed Sokari with multiple injuries allegedly sustained during the attack.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.
“Yes, the suspect has been arrested. An in-depth investigation is ongoing”, she said.
By; King Onunwor
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Degema LGA Affirms Ngeribrama As Autonomous Community

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4 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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The authority of Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State has affirmed the autonomous  status of Ngeribrama Community in Kalabari land, in the LGA.
A letter signed by the Chairman of the LGA, Dr. Michael John Williams, said to he affirmation was to give clarity and uphold dignity of the traditional institutions.
In his words,”the Council wishes to formally communicate its position regarding the status of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities.”
He disclosed that “following review of historical and administrative records, and confirmation of existing traditional structures, the Degema Local Government Council affirmed that Ngeribrama and its satellite communities were officially recognized as a fully autonomous community within Degema Local Government Area.”
He also noted that the community enjoys a distinct and independent traditional institution, acknowledged under local customs and traditions.
Against this backdrop, he emphasized the Council’s recognition of HRH, Daniel Ngeribrama (Ikata II) as the legitimate and duly acknowledged Amayanabo of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities.
The recognition, the Council’s Chairman further stated, “reflects the Council’s commitment to strengthening traditional authority, enhancing community identity, and promoting peaceful coexistence across all communities in the Local Government Area.”
Affirming the legitimacy and status of the amayanabo, Dr. Williams   reiterated the Council’s readiness to collaborate with the traditional  ruler to advance development, peace, and unity across Ngeribrama and Degema LGA at large.
Meanwhile, in an earlier statement the Amayanabo, chiefs and community leaders of Ngeribrama in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have condemned recent attempts to diminish the status and autonomy of the ancient Kalabari community.
A statement signed by the Secretary of Ngereribrama and Satellite Communities,  Prof. Olomabo Gillis Harry, said the clarification  has become pertinent as there have been recent attempts to diminish their status and role in Kalabari land.
The statement said, “The leadership of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities wishes to issue this public clarification for the benefit of the general public, stakeholders, and the wider Kalabari Kingdom.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ngeribrama and its satellite communities do not fall under the authority of any town or village within the Kalabari Kingdom.”
It explained that Ngeribrama constitutes a fully autonomous community, with a long-established and widely acknowledged traditional institution headed by His Royal Highness, Daniel  Ngeribrama, Ikata II, the Amayanabo of Ngeribrama and Its satellite communities.
The statement noted that the   autonomous status of Ngeribrama was  recognised across Kalabari Kingdom and affirmed historically, culturally  and traditionally.
It  urged the  public is to disregard any claims, statements, or insinuations suggesting that Ngeribrama is under the jurisdiction of any other community.
“Ngeribrama, located within Degema Local Government Area (DELGA), maintains its own traditional governance structure”, the statement emphasised.
Enumerating the  traditional structure and levels of leadership in the community, it stated that the Amayanabo of Ngeribrama has other supporting structures with a duly constituted Council of Chiefs.
One of the chiefs is a senior member of the Royal Family, Chief Hon. Dr. Dax Kelly George, who is Da-Daigbani II.
The community, it further stated, has Elders’ Council, as well as Women and Youth Leadership.
“For historical clarity, our revered progenitor, Ngeribra, had only one child, his daughter, Princess Iwori, whose lineage forms the foundation of the Ngeribrama Community”, the statement continued.
It concluded that “Ngeribrama and its satellite communities remain committed to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and continued collaboration with sister communities within the Kalabari Kingdom, Rivers State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
By: Kevin Nengia
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