Rivers
LG Boss Assures Community Of Govt Attention
The Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State, Hon. Michael John Williams, has assured that his administration would continue to do its best for the people of Tombia Community.
He gave the assurance when he played host to the leadership of a youth organisation, Tombia Youth Federation (TYF), at the Council Secretariat in Degema.
He disclosed that the community did not approach him before his administration decided to undertake the Tombia landing jetty remodeling, concrete walkway, shade and waiting lounge project for them, adding that “development is sustainable when it is done based on needs assessment”.
The Council Chairman disclosed that other priorities of the Tombia people were electricity and potable water, noting that his administration was doing everything to address them.
He stated that but for sabotage by officials of the Electricity Distribution Company, the Council would have long resolved the power issue in Tombia and Bukuma communities of the LGA.
Williams disclosed further that his administration “had started the negotiations even before we were inaugurated into office.
“We succeeded in restoring power to the Degema Consulate axis, comprising Degema Town, Usokun, and Obuama, just within two days in office, after several months of blackout”.
Hon. Williams assured that though efforts were still on to address the challenge, his administration would also take responsibility of servicing and supplying diesel to power the community’s generating sets ahead of the yuletide.
On the request for the Council Chairman to wade into the community chieftaincy dispute, the Council Chairman stated that he does not meddle into chieftaincy matters, noting, however, that as Chairman of Council, “my administration will continue to advocate and maintain peace in all communities of the LGA”.
On their appeal for empowerment of youths of Tombia, the Council Chairman stated that his administration had already started empowering youths in different areas, which include the recent educational grants to over 300 varsity students, promising to continue doing more in that regard.
He disclosed that his administration was shifting focus to also incorporate the elderly in the various communities of the LGA in his empowerment programmes, for which Bukuma had already benefitted, noting that Bakana and Tombia were next inline.
He commended the TYF for being one of the most viable youth organizations, urging them to continue in their stride.
Earlier, President of the TYF, Owen Igbikialabo, while expressing gratitude to the Council Chairman for his role in their emergence, commended him for executing the laudable Jetty project in Tombia.
Comrade Igbikialabo used the occasion to appeal to the Council Boss to assist the community in the restoration of electricity, empowerment of Tombia youths, provision of laptop and printer to enhance their operations, sponsorship of end of year activities in Tombia, amongst others.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
The Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board (RSPHCMB) says it will commence Supplemental Immunization activities on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to vaccinate children from 0-5 years across the State.
The State Health Educator, Dr. Diana Babbo, who stated this during a sensitisation meeting with Media Advocate for Health, Rivers State, on the update of immunization exercise in Rivers State, said the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) is a re-enforcement of the routine immunization at the health facilities.
According to her, it is aimed at boosting polio immunisation against the circulating variance of polio virus currently threatening the total eradication of polio in the country.
She further stated that there are four pillars of polio eradication, namely routine immunization (administered on babies in the health centre), supplemental immunization activity (supplements to boost the babies), surveillance (searching for children that have weakness in their legs or some oart of their bodies), and outbreak response.
The Health Educator noted that the Novel Oral Polio Vaccination Type 2 (NOPV 2) will be administered to children under the age of 0-5 years, which targets a specific polio still in existence in communities and capable of causing paralysis among the stated categories of children, despite the country being certified a polio-free nation.
Dr. Babbo further stated that this year’s NIPDs will address the high number of unresolved non-compliance cases in the State.
She debunked what she tagged a false rumour by mischief makers which claimed that the vaccines are responsible for the development of autism in children.
She said, “vaccines are not known to be responsible for the development of autism. We’re just hearing that. The truth is that one cannot know everything.
“That aspect that has been found, have we looked into other aspects, such as genetically modified foods, drinks, and milks that our children are taking?
“Have we also looked at genetic compatibility between couples before we now say vaccines are causing x, y, z things?
“Are we looking at the environment where these things are happening, what they are peculiar to?
“It must not be peculiar to all the families, there could be something also that’s happening around that we have not known. Research is evolving, let us not accuse our precious vaccines that have succeeded so far in my knowledge, to keep as many sicknesses at bay.
“The reason we do not have small pox in our world today, apart from the lab (a bio-lab) is because we vaccinated to the point where we were able to move small pox totally out of existence from human beings. We can succeed with that same pattern with all kinds of viruses”.
She stated that the connection between autism and vaccination could merely be coincidence.
Babbo, therefore, urged all parents, churches, and school owners to avail their children/wards the opportunity to be vaccinated against polio the stated exercise.
Sogbeba Dokubo
Engr Obi Fortune, a renowned philanthropist, has donated 80 desks to four secondary schools in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The donation is part of his commitment to advancing education in the area.
The schools that benefited from the gesture includes- Community Secondary School Umuoye.
Community Secondary School Akwa- Government Secondary School Ozuzu and Community Primary School Okehi 2 and all the schools got 20 units each of the desks.
Speaking during the brief handing-over ceremony held recently in okehi recently, Engr Obi stated that the donation fulfills his promise to use proceeds from his book sales to procure desks for schools in the LGA.
He disclosed that more desks will arrive soon and expressed his continued commitment to supporting education in the area.
Obi urged the schools to make good use of the desks and called on other individuals to contribute to the educational needs in the area.
This gesture demonstrates Engr Obi’s dedication to improving education in Etche LGA.
A professor of social and political philosophy at Rivers State University (RSU ) Nkpolu Oroworukwu port Harcourt, Prof Agha Eresia _Eke has emphasized that citizenship participation is crucial for achieving true democratic government. He stressed that citizens’ involvement in exercising their basic rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, is essential for a democratic institution to thrive.
Eresia _Eke stated this while presenting his inaugural lecture at the 111 university’s inaugural lecture series with the topic “Nigeria Democratic practices:a contextual paradox”held at the university senate auditorium in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
According to him, core democratic values which include:,- Respect for individual rights and freedoms, Protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, Equality before the law, Freedom of speech, assembly, and association, Protection of privacy and personal autonomy.
“Through out history, the problem that has agitated social and political philosophers has been to work _out a model for the realization of the common good of man.
Man has always sought and developed methods and systems of organising himself according to his true nature as a rational being.”he stated.
Eresia-Eke notes that Nigeria is not practicing a true federalism and highlights the importance of a pragmatic approach to democracy, where ideas and solutions are tested and refined in real-world environments.
He emphasized that citizens must hold their leaders accountable and demand respect for human rights, stressing that by doing so, citizens can undertake their civic obligations and responsibilities, strengthening society as a whole.
Earlier in his address, the Vice chancellor of the university, Prof Zeb _Obipi commended the lecturer for his brilliant performance, adding that he has justified and proven that he is a professor in his area of specialization.
The VC averred that the university has been consistent in the inaugural lecture monthly and assured that his administration will continue to continue to keep the trend.