Rivers
Diocese Tasks Govt On Security Of Lives, Property
Diocese of Okrika, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has criticised the Federal Government over the state of insecurity in the country.
This was contained in a presidential address delivered by Bishop of the Diocese, Rt Rev. Enoch Atuboyedia, at the 2nd session of the 7th Synod of the Diocese at St Peter’s Church, Okrika.
The theme for the Synod was “We Wrestle Not”.
The Diocese described as worrisome, attacks on Christians, churches, communities and even on the citizens of the country.
According to the church,”if citizens and their properties are properly secured, the economy of the country will be boosted.
“The church demands that government should put high priority on the security of lives and property of citizens by providing adequate security for all citizens.
“The present state of insecurity and attacks on Christians, churches, communities and indeed the citizenry of this country is worrisome”.
The church also called on the government to ensure quality education for children at all levels as it is the best legacy the country can bequeath to her youths.
It further called on the government to improve on the health care delivery system in the country to stem the rising tide of medical tourism.
According to the church, Nigeria has the capacity to provide good health care delivery system and be a destination for health tourism on the African continent.
It expressed dismay over the rising inflation, debt servicing burden, and fuel subsidy as well as fear for the future of Nigeria.
“Alleviating the sufferings of the masses should be the priority of the government at all levels.
“The church demands adequate provisions for education, economic empowerment and jobs for the teeming youths and citizens.
“The provision of grants and loans for indigent people and social safe net for the citizens will offer every opportunity to contribute to the development of the country.
“The synod frowns at the negligent attitude of leaders and the lack of political will to enforce the rule of law.
“We, therefore, advise the government to maintain the rule of law and to uphold civil rights, justice and equality”, it stated.
The Synod said the judiciary should be made to serve the citizens in matters of justice and equity, while also calling for the decentralisation of the police force to improve security.
“The church demands that our leaders should make comprehensive assessment of the policies and procedures of government to be able to make governance in Nigeria an all inclusive matter.
“The government should ensure that the appointments into political offices are not lopsided and should not be done on sentiment or sectional interest”.
It added that the church would hold the government accountable for any form of infrastructural neglect and therefore demands full execution and completion of road, construction of schools and others.
The Synod also demands for provision of electricity and power, good public transport system and housing for the citizens.
By: John Bibor
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.