The Rivers State Government has officially opened the Dr Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Centre for public use with a free screening for cancer and all forms of cardiovascular diseases.

Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Professor Justinah Jumbo, disclosed this at a cancer awareness walk in Port Harcourt at the weekend.

The Walk which kicked off from the Dr Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Centre, Rumuepirikom, Port Harcourt was also in celebration of the 2026 Cancer Day.

Professor Jumbo said the event was also part of the programmes by the Rivers State Government to sensitize the public that the cardiovascular centre has officially open for cancer treatment and screening.

She said the centre which was built by the immediate past administration in the State was part of government efforts to stop people from traveling abroad for cancer screening and treatment.

Also speaking at the event, a permanent secretary designate, Dr Vincent Wachuku, said the essence of the event “was not just to take a walk but also to tell the whole world that this centre has been opened to render services to every person that is suffering from any form of cancer within the state, outside the state and anywhere around the world.”

Wachuku who is also the Director Medical Services, Rivers State Ministry of Health, disclosed that the government has directed that screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostrate cancer be made free for now, but added that “subsequently the price could be highly subsidized.”

“Government is also doing a lot to ensure that those who cannot afford the services here, the government will also come in to support their care,” he clarified.

In his own speech, the Chief Executive Officer of  the Cardiovascular Centre, Tony Rahme, said the centre would offer the best services that can be obtained anywhere in the world.

“We are assuring that we are serving in the best way by offering free screening to the community and doing a walk to fight cancer,” he said.

He disclosed that the hospital currently has 65 bed spaces, adding that a team of experts from different countries including Filipino nurses have been assembled to handle cancer treatment at the centre.

Rahme said the centre can handle advance oncology surgery, cardiovascular including kidney treatment and cardio surgery and all kinds of nephrology.

While stressing that more than 70 to a 100 persons have already been screened, Rahme said the hospital is committed to serve all parts of the society.

By: John Bibor 

President Bola Tinubu has charged the newly decorated acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to make the Nigeria Police Force better than he met it, as the country grapples with banditry, terrorism, and other criminal activities.

The President, who personally decorated Disu with his new rank at the State House, Abuja, said the appointment comes at “a defining moment for our nation’s security,” expressing confidence in the new police chief’s ability to restore public confidence in the Force.

“The commitment that I expect from you is for you to make it better than you met it. And I’m sure you can do it. Nigeria is challenged right now with banditry, terrorism and all sorts of criminal activities,” Tinubu stated during the decoration ceremony on Wednesday.

The President, who drew on his personal knowledge of Disu from his tenure as Lagos State Governor, said he believes in the dedication the new IGP exhibited while serving in Lagos.

“I know your record. I believe in the dedication that you’ve exhibited while you were in Lagos and I was the Governor of Lagos State.

“Now you assume this responsibility at a defining moment for our nation’s security,” the President said.

Tinubu outlined specific expectations for the new police chief, emphasising discipline, professionalism, and inter-agency collaboration.

“I expect you to strengthen the discipline, enhance inter-agency collaboration, and restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police.

“Lead firmly but fairly, demand professionalism at every level and ensure that safety of lives and property remains your highest priority,” he charged.

Acknowledging the magnitude of the task ahead, the President assured Disu of his full support.

“It is a daunting challenge. I know you can do it.

“You have my full support as you advance the security pillars of the Renewed Hope agenda.

“You are a straightforward individual, committed and respected. You have sufficient discipline,” Tinubu stated.

The President urged the new IGP to draw from the experience of his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun, who attended the ceremony.

“You can draw from the experience of Kayode Egbetokun who had been there before you.

“You have been part of the thinking, and you’ve been part of the innovation.

“The challenge as you hold the baton of this leadership is the belief that you will excel and Nigeria will prevail,” he said.

Tge President expressed gratitude to the former IGP, Kayode Egbetokun for his service while linking his legacy to the success of his successor.

“To the outgoing Inspector-General of Police, I extend the gratitude of the entire country.

“Nigeria, we are a grateful nation to you for your dedication in service, expression of good leadership attributes within the Force.

“You have served with commitment and distinction, and Nigeria appreciates your contribution to maintaining law and order in our country,” the President said.

He added, “What you should look back and remember is this: you have not succeeded without a good successor.

“Therefore, the success of Tunji Disu as IGP, when confirmed, is part of your responsibility and the joy you should look forward to.”

Tinubu noted that Disu’s previous role as Principal Staff Officer to Egbetokun positioned him well for the new assignment.

“Having been part of your Principal Staff Officer, I have no doubt he understands the ins and outs of the operation.

“He will only improvise. He’s an operational person from what I know,” the President stated.

The decoration ceremony, which took place at 4:00 pm at the President’s office, had in attendance Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and other senior government officials.

President Tinubu personally pinned the new insignia on Disu’s uniform, marking the formal transfer of leadership of Africa’s largest police force.

In his response, Disu pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him, vowing to end impunity and enforce zero tolerance to corruption within the Force.

“The President mentioning a lot of activities about me, mentioning areas I’ve worked, mentioning successes I’ve recorded as a policeman, brought emotion to me, almost brought me to tears,” Disu told State House correspondents.

He added, “I will let them know that the era of impunity is over. I will ensure that I train them and encourage them to follow human rights. I will ensure that they know that I will try to follow a regime of zero tolerance to corruption.”

The new police chief emphasised that Nigerian citizens are the ultimate bosses of the police.

“One of the first lectures I’m going to have with my men, I’m going to talk to them, let them know that the citizen, the citizen of the country, are the boss. No police anywhere in the world can succeed without the cooperation of members of the public,” Disu stated.

Egbetokun, in his remarks, expressed confidence in his successor’s ability to surpass his achievements.

“I invested in likely successors in the Nigerian Police Force, and I’m happy that one of those that I’ve invested in has been found most suitable for the job. I have so much confidence that he would surpass what I have done,” Egbetokun stated.

The decoration came barely 24 hours after Egbetokun submitted his resignation letter on Tuesday, citing family issues that require his undivided attention.

The new Police Chief later proceeded to the Police Headquarters to assume duty following his decoration by President Tinubu earlier in the day.

He took his first salute as Inspector-General from members of the Quarter Guard and other officers at the Force Headquarters after returning from the Presidential Villa at about 4:15 p.m. He thereafter proceeded to the official handover ceremony with Egbetokun.

Disu outlined three priorities for his tenure: professionalism and modernisation; accountability and integrity; and community partnership.

However, multiple Presidency sources told our correspondent that Egbetokun was asked to step down during a meeting with the President on Monday evening at the Presidential Villa.

Disu’s appointment came just 48 days before his scheduled retirement on April 13, 2026, when he would have reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.

However, under the amended Police Act, which allows Inspectors-General of Police to serve a four-year tenure regardless of age, Disu may remain in office until 2030.

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu will convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council shortly to formally consider Disu’s appointment as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation.

Born on April 13, 1966, on Lagos Island, Lagos State, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, and has served for over three decades across multiple operational and leadership roles.

He rose to national prominence as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos State, where he served for six years. Under his leadership, the unit won the Best Anti-Crime Squad award in West Africa in 2016.

On August 2, 2021, he was appointed to head the Intelligence Response Team, replacing the suspended Abba Kyari.

Before his elevation to IGP, Disu was Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos. He was also a Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the leadership of the 10th Senate to amend the constitution to provide a legal framework for the establishment of State Police to tackle insecurity nationwide.

President Tinubu made the appeal during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

The president said that the creation of State Police has become urgent to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, strengthen grassroots policing, and enhance states’ capacity to respond swiftly to threats within their jurisdictions.

He noted that a decentralised policing structure would complement existing federal security architecture and promote intelligence-led, community-focused law enforcement.

“We are facing terrorism, banditry, and insurgency. But we will never fail to make a right response to this cause. What I will ask for tonight is for you (Senators) to start thinking how best to amend the constitution to incorporate the State Police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, and free our children from fear,” he said.

The president commended the cordial relationship between the Executive and the Senate, saying that unity is needed to defeat terrorism and banditry in the country.

“It is a good thing that we are working in harmony, we are looking forward to a country that evolves, a country that takes care of its citizens and protects all.

Tinubu thanked the Senate for its unflinching support towards achieving various economic reforms of his administration, especially the fuel subsidy removal and tax reform policy.

“I have a lot of credit for bold reforms. Without your collaboration and inspiration, those reforms would not be possible. We are reformists together. What we gave up and what we stopped is monumental corruption in the subsidy system. We don’t want to participate in monumental corruption and arbitrage foreign exchange.

You don’t have to chase me for dollars; you could see what Nigeria is today. You should be proud, and I am glad you are. What we are enjoying is a stable economy, and prosperity is beckoning us. We need to work hard, and this attendance means a lot to me,” the president said.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the president for hosting the leadership of the Senate to the Interfaith breaking of fast.

He commended President Tinubu for providing the visionary leadership the nation needs at this critical time, stating that the administration’s bold reforms have now brought more revenue to governors at the sub-national level for the development of critical infrastructure.

The Senate President prayed for the administration, and for the nation’s peace and prosperity.