Rivers

Health: Association Urges Govt, Stakeholders For Improved Partnership

Published

3 years ago

November 28, 2022

The Association of Civil Societies in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN) has called on government and relevant stakeholders at all levels, including the media, to support CBOs working on the AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM) project to ensure its success in selected five Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
Making the call recently at its 5th monthly media briefing, the State ACOMIN Chairman, Pastor John Ihua-Maduenyi, said this is to further enhance the successes recorded so far by the CBOs working on the project in the various LGAs.
“As a follow up, we call on the government and all relevant stakeholders at all levels to support the Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) implementing this (ATM) project in the State towards improving health outcomes”, he stated.
The ATM project, funded by Global Fund (GF), is aimed at identifying gaps in ATM in Primary Healthcare facilities in identified LGAs and make communities take ownership of the facilities by closing such gaps.
“The impact of COVID-19 on HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria could be minimised by maintaining these core services.
“A recent report from Global Fund highlights the urgent need to scale-up adaptive measures to continue HIV, TB and Malaria services, to ramp up delivery of critical supplies for COVID-19 response and prevent healthcare systems from collapse”, the ACOMIN boss said.
Ihua-Maduenyi disclosed that as part of national effort to address the ATM challenges in Nigeria, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) engaged ACOMIN, in collaboration with Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) and TB Network, under the Global Fund COVID-19RM/RSSH Grant to implement the Civil Society component of the project.
“The implementation of the grant has started in 18 Global Fund-supported states, namely: Ogun, Delta, Ekiti, Lagos, Cross River, Rivers, FCT, Edo, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa (C19RM), Nasarawa, Plateau, Jigawa (RSSH), Kwara, Ondo and Oyo. The project covers five LGAs in eache state. In Rivers State, the selected LGAs are PHALGA, Obio/Akpor, Eleme, Tai, and Khana”, he siad.
The challenges encountered in the health facilities during the implementation of the project in the five LGAs include: unavailability of malaria drugs and Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLITN). Where they are available, the cost is beyond the reach of the poor.
There is inadequate medical personnel, especially in Tai and Khana LGAs, due to insecurity; there is lack of water and electricity in some of the facilities; and identified poor attitude of health workers towards patients.
Also noticed were inadequate or damaged seats for patients, especially in Ebubu Health Center and Elelenwo Model Primary Health Center (MPHC); lack of toilet facility in Millennium Health Center in Tai LGA, Ebubu Health Center in Eleme; and no staff quarters in Millennium Health Center.
Meanwhile, the ACOMIN boss noted, through advocacy to decision makers at the National, State, LGA, and community levels, that the community-centered initiative implemented by ACOMIN has yeilded some positive results.
They include: donation of seats and repair of damaged seats; repair of broken down power generators; donation of cartons of hand gloves, face masks, and surgical gowns at Ogale Health Center in Eleme; donation of Sumo pump for water supply at Bori PHC; and reconnection of electricity to MPHC facilities in Elelenwo and Bunu, in Tai LGA.
Others are: staffing of medical personnels (labouratory technicians) in MPHC Tai; repair of broken down gate; and improved relationship between health workers and patients.
Speaking at the occasion, the Programme Manager, Rivers State Agency for the Control of AIDS (RIVSACA), Dr. Francis Naaziga, commended the CBOs involved in the project, saying, “we commend all your efforts. However, there’s still plenty to be done”.
On her part, the Focal Person on HIV/AIDS at the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board (RSPHCMB), Dr. Mekele Igwe, assured on the support of the Board.

By: Soibi Max-Alalibo

Rivers

Insecurity: Paramount Ruler Seeks Profiling Of Residents

Published

12 hours ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

A Paramount Ruler in Rivers State, Nyenweli Elele-Alimini, in Emohua Local Government Area, Eze Peter Wagbara CP (rtd.), has called for the profiling of residents in his domain in order to forestall security threats and challenges.

The Nyenweli made the call at the weekend during the Ogbakor Elele Alimini 2026 first meeting held at their Kingdom Civic Centre in Elele, Alimini.

According to him, the step would help relevant authorities to keep tabs on residents and curtail criminality in the area.

The Paramount Ruler promised indigenes and non-indigenes living and doing business in the area of adequate security of their lives and properties.

“Inspite of the negative reports about insecurity in part of the country, I want to assure the people and residents of Elele Alimini of adequate protection of their lives and properties, hence the need for water-tight security throughout the nooks and crannies of Elele Alimini.

“Following the influx of people into Rivers State, particularly Elele Alimini right now, I want to charge chiefs and landlords in our kingdom to profile their tenants, religious leaders of the various faith-based organizations and commercial transporters in our domain”, Eze Wagbara said.

The retired Commissioner of Police stated that despite the violence and banditry in parts of the country, chiefs and elders as well as leaders of thoughts within his area would work closely to ensure peaceful co-existence among residents of Elele Alimini, adding that “it is one God, one Elele Alimini, and one destiny” under his reign.

He commended members of Elele Alimini Council of Chiefs and Elders as well as the CDC Chairman and the Youth President for their contributions toward the socio-economic development of the area.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Elele Alimini Gospel Ministers Forum (EAGMF), Apostle Hope Abikari, said there were a lot of churches serving God in Elele Alimini with different doctorines and practices and stressed on the need for confidentiality in handling of religious matters and related issues in the area.

“Eze Sir, I want to inform you that there are a lot of churches at Elele Alimini today serving God. In fact, this invite to religious leaders at Elele Alimini is very crucial. There is need to arrange for a fresh private meeting with religious leaders in Elele Alimini, which should be confidential. I suggest that a committee be set up to look into the activities of churches in Elele-Alimini”, he added.

He described Eze Wagbara as a Monarch who has the interest of his subjects at heart, and lauded Eze Wagbara and his Council of Chiefs, as well as members of Ogbakor Elele Alimini for their quality leadership in the kingdom.

On his part, the Chairman of Motor Cycle Operators Union of Nigeria, Elele Alimini Branch, Comrade Obuah Emeka, said members of the union who operate within Elele Alimini and Elele Okinali would render efficient services to commuters/passengers in the area.

Comrade Emeka explained that members of the union were not involved in crimes, noting that they do not constitute nuisance to the society.

He, however, promised to co-operate with the leaders of Elele Alimini in order to ensure safety within the area.

Rivers

KENPOLY Matriculates 4,350 Students

Published

12 hours ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

The management of Kenule Beeson Saro Wiwa Polytechnic (KENOOLY), Bori, has matriculated a total of 4, 350 students into the 2025/2026 academic session.

The management said the matriculation ceremony is officially admitting students into various National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) courses in sciences, Engineering, Environmental and Management Technology, spreading in five different schools of the institution

Speaking at the event, the Acting Rector of the school, Dr. George Chile Wadike, told the matriculants that “the matriculation marks the beginning of a long and challenging, but fulfilling journey in your academic development. I implore you to be resilient, focused and dedicated to the primary reasons you are here”.

The polytechnic, Wadike said, “does not tolerate any form of indecency from students, social vices like examination malpractice, theft, cultism and other violences in any form, which attract outright expulsion.

“The Polytechnic is a place where you enjoy a lot of freedoms, but that freedom often comes with some corresponding obligations as your freedom ends where another person’s freedom begins.

“So, not only must you protect your rights, privileges and freedom, you must also ensure that you do not trample on the rights, privileges and freedom of Others.

“I, therefore, recommend that you emulate the examples of your mentors and lectures in self discipline, self care, good mode of dressing, fedelity to studies and work and general comportment so that you will not be found wanting.”

He continued that “Kenpoly is positioned to be a trailblazer in good governance, accountability and transparency within the firmament of Nigeria’s educational system.

“We have no doubt that this polytechnic is strongly positioned to solve some of the nations problems of unemployment by graduating not only self-employable youths, but also youths that are themselves employers of labour.”

He announced to the matriculants and parents that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has introduced a new intervention line with the Career Development Centers.

Wadike said the new intervention is purposely for the initiation, taking-up and continuous maintenance of Student Career Guidance.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Group Seeks Traditional Medicine Hospital Establishment In Rivers

Published

12 hours ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

A group under the aegis of the Modern Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria (MTMPN), Rivers State Branch, has called on the state government to build a designated traditional medicine hospital in the state.

They said this will enable the state government actualise full realisation of its healthcare service delivery programmes and maximize the potentials of its members in the state’s health sector.

The State Chairman of the MTMPN, Eze Stanley Munoye Ogbu, made the call after the group’s general meeting in Port Harcourt, weekend, noting that the modern traditional medicine practitioners in the state are ready to partner with the government to contribute their own quota towards the development of the health sector.

Eze Ogbu, who is a member of the Rivers state government approved Board of Traditional Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM), urged members to choose area of specialisations and not be jack of all trade, while also exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in their practice, and conducting their operations in a clean environment.

The Onye Ishi Agwuru of Okehi Kingdom in Etche Local Government Area of the state hinted that a committee has been set up by the TCAM Board to clamp down on unlicensed practitioners and use the opportunity to call on the state government to invest in traditional medicine to boost revenue and create jobs.

Also speaking, the Chairman of MTMPN, Obio/Akpor LGA Chapter, Dr. Dede Temple Owhadah, said the association is training members on modern practices in order to improve their efficiency in the treatment of patients across the state.

He called on herbal and traditional medicine practitioners in the state to get trained and be educated in their areas of specialisation to remain relevance in the practice

Owhadah warned that the taskforce will go after unlicensed practitioners after the training period and urged governments at all levels to work with the registered professionals in their domain to flush out unqualified practitioners and to tap into the profession’s human resources to improve the healthcare delivery system in the state.

He stressed that members of the group are celebrated researchers who have manufactured certified drugs as cures for various diseases and ailments.

“What we are doing is that we are training and educating our members to improve on their proficiency and modern practices they desire to operate with. After this, we are going to come after those unqualified practitioners and clampdown on them across the entire state.

“Whether you are selling herbal medicine in the street, bone setters, or using any form of herbs and alternative medicine to treat people, we are going to shut such areas down without any recognised government approval at the end of the training session”, he stated

On her own. Dr. Gorgeous Chinyere Adichie commended the group for the education and training of their members to update them with the needed professional experience in the practice.

By: Akujobi Amadi