Niger Delta
Engage Presidential Candidates On Health Reforms, Dep Gov Charges NMA
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has called on the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and its affiliate unions to engage the presidential candidates of major political parties in Nigeria on their respective blueprints and agenda for the health sector, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He gave the charge while declaring open the South-South Zonal Executive Council meeting of the NMA, Monday, at the Aridolf Hotel in Yenagoa, the State capital.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor urged the NMA to provide the necessary leadership to make the engagement with the presidential hopefuls a reality.
According to him, such a meeting is important and relevant as it will afford stakeholders in the health sector an opportunity to hold the new government that will emerge from the 2023 elections accountable to its promises concerning the health sector.
He said quite a good number of the presidential candidates for next year’s election had consulted with several other stakeholders.
“Some of the presidential candidates have visited the business community, farmers, journalists and Christians. Have they visited stakeholders of the health sector? Have we invited them?
“We are here talking about healthcare improvement and transition. How do we get that? A man who says he is prepared for battle but begins to shoot within his house is not prepared for the war.
“I think we are putting our priority wrong in this instance because this is a time for the NMA and all the health sector associations to put themselves together to invite all the candidates, particularly the four major ones to address us on their development agenda for health.
“The NMA should provide leadership for this to happen because, like the lecturer asserted, if we don’t make it a top priority, nobody will even make it a secondary issue in this country.
“We must begin to hold them accountable now by asking questions on what will be done so that we hold them to their promises. If we don’t do that now, I think that will be opportunity not missed but squandered”, the Deputy Governor said.
Responding to the twin issues of brain-drain and lack of manpower in the health sector raised by the keynote speaker at the event, Professor Dimie Ogoina, the Deputy Governor said the present administration in the state was doing its best to retain its personnel.
He reminded the members of the NMA that migrating from Nigeria in search of greener pastures elsewhere was not the solution to the challenges bedeviling the health sector, adding that what is required is for Nigerians to make all necessary sacrifices to fix their country by themselves.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who disclosed that government was working on a new state health policy through a soon-to-be passed bill on the health sector, promised the Bayelsa Chapter of the NMA that government would grant them audience to look at their demands.
Earlier in their separate remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Ebitimitula Etebu, and the State Chairman of NMA, Dr Tonbara Koroye, acknowledged the efforts of the Governor Douye Diri’s-led administration towards improving healthcare in the state and called for more support to the Association
Similarly, the National President of the NMA, Dr. Uche Rowland Ojinmah, and the South-South Zonal Chairperson, Dr. Imosili Udoka, gave a pass mark to the Bayelsa Government for its attention to the health sector of the State.
They appealed for domestication of the recent federal circular on medical doctors’ allowance.
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Toyin Azebi, the Commissioner for health, Dr. Pabara Newton Igwele, thanked the NMA for reaching out to victims of the just-receded flood and wished the participants fruitful deliberations that would move the Association forward.
In his keynote lecture titled, “Nigeria’s Healthcare Delivery System and the 2023 Democratic Transition: A Time To Change The Narrative”, Professor Dimie Ogoina, highlighted some of Nigeria’s health sector challenges to include corruption, brain-drain, frequent strikes, poor infrastructure and policy implementation, as well as lack of individual and institutional accountability.
Professor Ogoina, who is the Chief Medical Director of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, identified the election of trustworthy leaders who would show true care for the health sector by investing in both human and critical health infrastructure, in addition to strengthening effective accountability framework as some of the solutions to health problems in the country.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.