Rivers
Wike Lauds LG Chairman’s Development Strides
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has lauded the development strides of the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council, Dr. Chidi Lloyd.
Wike, who expressed happiness over the infrastructural achievements of the LG boss in two years as Chairman, said his happiness is borne from the fact that Dr Lloyd has not disappointed his people who elected him to oversee their affairs.
Wike made the commendation in Rundele, at the commissioning of the newly constructed Uke-Eli Road, which was conceived, executed and completed by EMOLGA boss.
The Governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Engr Chukwuemeka Woke, described Dr. Lloyd as a courageous administrator who is determined, committed and focused towards the development of his people.
“The Chairman of our party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it all that you’ve redefined Local Government administration, and you have also attributed your performance to the support you enjoy from the leadership of our party in the LGA. So, me, I want to thank you for not disappointing us.
“Above all, I want to say that it takes a man of courage and determination; it takes a man who is focused to embark on these gigantic projects and complete them as a local government council. It is not just about the availability of funds, one must have the courage and vision to embark on these kind of projects.
“So, we thank you, and we thank the people of Emohua Local Government Area for giving you their mandate, and we thank God today that you have not disappointed them”, he stated.
Wike also thanked the people of Rundele for standing by his administration from its inception in 2015, while encouraging stakeholders in the area to continue to promote peace and unity amongst the communities to attract government presence to the area.
He noted the requests made by the community in their address and promised to communicate same to the incoming administration in the state in the handover note to the next Governor.
The Governor also commended the council Chairman’s commitment to the war against resurgence of crime and criminality in parts of Emohua LGA, assuring that the State Government was solidly behind the council chairman’s effort to eradicate armed robbery and cultism in the LGA.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Amb. Desmond Akawor, said the Chairman of Emohua LGA has redefined local government administration with a sterling performance, especially in infrastructure development.
Represented by the State Secretary of PDP, Dr Benibo George, Akawor noted the importance of infrastructure development to the urbanization of Emohua LGA.
The state Party Chairman further noted expression of joy and happiness amongst the people of the area, which, he said, indicates that the people appreciates the council chairman’s performance, stressing that every good work attracts reward from the people.
“As we came here, we sew the expression of happiness on the faces of the people, which indicates that Dr. Lloyed is actually performing very well and we seriously appreciate that.
“Recall that we were here last year on behalf of the Governor to also commission a road project executed by Dr. Chidi Lloyd’s administration. Today, we’re here again experiencing another road commissioning by the same administration. This is a clear manifestation that local government can actually embark on road projects.
“We are very much impressed that the narrative has been changed by Chidi Lloyd, that jinx has been broken and this is very remarkable and commendable.
“To my brother, Chidi Lloyd, I want to say that one way of asking for more is to do more; if you do more, more will be given to you and we encourage you to do more”, Akawor stated.
In his address, Dr. Lloyd attributed the achievements of his administration within two years to the support from stakeholders and councillors of the LGA.
He particularly thanked the leadership of the PDP in Emohua LGA for their continued cooperation and support to his administration and promised never to let them down.
Lloyd enjoined the people of Rundele, the direct beneficiaries of the newly constructed Uke-Eli Road, to ensure that the road is protected from illegal petroleum refining and oil bunkering activities which he described as a treat to the newly asphalted road.
The council Chairman commended residents and property owners along the Uke-Eli Road for their cooperation and support during construction of the road, especially those who willingly removed their properties in the right of way to ensure a successful implementation of the project.
He also expressed gratitude to the management and principal officers of Emohua local government council, particularly the Head of Local Government administration (HLGA), the Head of Personnel Management (HPM), and the Council Treasurer (TR), for their support to his administration, especially in policy implementation.
Also speaking, the Paramount Ruler of Rundele clan, HRH Eze Damian Ejiowhor, who led the Rundele Council of Chiefs and Elders to honour the Governor of Rivers State and the Chairman of Emohua LGA with chieftaincy recognitions, said the people of the area are grateful to Governor Wike for the appointment of indigenes of Rundele as commissioner and Permanent Secretaries in his administration.
He said the people will forever remain grateful to Dr. Chidi Lloyd for the construction of Uke-Eli Road, which he described as an alternative route into and out of Rundele communities.
Providing the project description, the Local Government Supervisor of Works, Hon Solomon Ikpo, said the Uke-Eli Road was formally impassible due to the water settlement in the area.
He explained that the road was conceptualized at 1.5 kilometer long with 1.5 kilometer drainage on each side of the road, amounting to a total of 3 kilometer drainage on both sides of the road, with 6cm asphalt pavement compressed to 5cm to withstand the swampy nature of the area.
Earlier, the councillor representing ward 7 (Rundele) in Emohua local government legislative assembly, Hon Emenike Wokama in his welcome address expressed gratitude to Dr. Chidi Lloyd for giving the people of the area a brand new road which he said is exceptional in local government administration.
The chairmen of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leadership caucus in Emohua, Eze Paul Wonodi and Elder Lawrence Amadioha, and the paramount ruler of Akpabu and Itu, HRH Eze G.C Ordu were among dignitaries who attended the historic event in solidarity with the administration.
Other dignitaries in attendance included: Chief Sampson Agbaru (Former SSG and Head of Service Rivers State); Honourable Commissioner, Rivers State Ministry of Environment, Hon Barr. Emenike Eke; Member representing Emohua Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon Sam Ogeh; Former commissioners, Hon Charles Beke, Elder Chinedu Tasie Nwobueze and Hon Arthur Uchendu.
The ceremony also featured the donation of solar street lights by Mr Kelvin Okoro, a former special assistant to Dr. Chidi Lloyd, as part of his personal contribution to the road project in his community.
By: Theresa Fredrick & Charity Amiso
Board of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) has expressed its readiness and determination to ensure universal health coverage for all residents of the state.
Chairman of the Board, Professor Chike Princewill, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen shortly after the Board’s inaugural retreat in Port Harcourt.
Chike also said so far over 110,000 have been enrolled into the programme in the state since its commencement last year.
He said the retreat was to inform the people that the Board has hit the ground running.
“The Board has just had their inaugural meeting and retreat, which started yesterday. We are trying to inform the public, those residing in Rivers State, that we have hit the ground running.
“From last year when we commenced until when the Board was officially inaugurated last month, we in this Board have resolved to make sure that the universal health coverage is covered and Rivers people or any body living here can benefit from it”, he said.
The Board Chairman further said a lot have been achieved since last year, adding that, “as we speak to you, over one hundred and ten thousand enrollees have been recorded in Rivers state across the twenty three local government areas with the help of the Executive Secretary and management.”
He said staff of the Board have been sent to all local government areas, stressing that it was part of RIVCHPP’s effort to unbundle secondary health care with the view to making it more effective.
Professor Chike further said with the signing of the universal health coverage Act into law, the agency will expand the scope of its activities to cover everyone living and doing business in the state.
“We are are trying to even unboundle secondary care, and, of course, you know the new Act has been signed involving universal health coverage that every person is involved. So, we also include to expand the scope of the private facilities that were engaged in this health insurance programme.
“We want to assure Rivers people or anybody who live in Port Harcourt or Rivers State that you all will be given the best of facilities.
“We have discussed at length with those who have been given primary assignment in the local government primary health care centres and other facilities that we use for this purpose.
“We have our personnel that we are sending to the local governments as well and all the nooks and crannies of the state to make sure that the necessary things are done”, he said
He stressed the need for people to take their health seriously, saying, “you have to be healthy, you have to be alive to achieve, we believe that with your support it will come to pass. We encourage you to enroll.”
He also stressed the need for people to get their National Identity Numbers (NIN) to enable them benefit from the programme.
“You need your national identification number, so you can be effectively captured”, he stated.
According to him, the National Health Insurance Agency which is partnering with RIVCHPP, is also emphasizing that the NIN is necessary.
“When you register and enroll, we will look for those things so that it can be effectively captured. if you don’t have your NIN, you will be de-enrolled because it is a directive from the National Health Insurance Agency, and because we are working with them, we are expecting all of us to key into this programme.
“Health is key to us. We are ensuring that those who are at the end of our tentacles are also living up to standard”, he stated.
He advised health workers to ensure that when patients and their relatives come to their facilities, they are effectively handled and taken care of, and respecting them as human beings.
“As care givers, this is what we want to let all of us know”, he said.
Professor Princewill also advised all the new local government chairmen to also put their hands on deck to encourage their people to enroll in the programme.
John Bibor & Birane Progress
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Prof. Okechukwu Onuchuku, has revealed valuable insights on how scholars can thrive in an AI-driven country.
Speaking at the 40th Conference of English Scholars Association of Nigeria (ESAN), tagged “Advancing the frontiers of Digital Humanities Research in English and Literary Studies”, with the theme, “Teaching English and Literary Studies in Nigeria’s Tertiary Institutions in The Era of AI”, Prof. Onuchukwu said the theme of the Conference provides a roadmap for navgating the challenges and opportunities being presented in AI, and Prepared to impact knowledge on humanity.
In her speech, the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Prof. Ibiere Ken-Maduako, said the theme of the Conference is apt, considering the role AI is playing in the country.
Maduako, who’s the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, called on participants to use the oppprtunit to contribute towards enhancement of knowledge.
“As I speak, members of the Faculty and the institution’s Management are elated over the successful hosting of the Conference. It was made possible on the support the VC, staff and students accorded us.
Highlights of the conference, which was held in conjunction with the English and Literary Studies Department, included induction of new members, Presentation of papers by scholars from different tertiary institutions in Nigeria that reveales benefits of AI
“I m optimistic that the conference will achieve its set goals. Students are expected to participate actively and leverage on the gains to improve”, She said.
TB-Network, one of the networks working on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM), has profered a multifaceted approach in the fight against ATM and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria.
The Rivers State Coordinator of TB-Network, Mr. Messiah F. Muzan, who disclosed this recently in a media parley in Port Harcourt, said one of such approaches is to extend the National Health Insurance programme to the poor and most vulnerable in Nigeria.
“The National Health Insurance programme enjoyed by the formal sector should be extended to other citizens of Nigeria, particularly the poor and most vulnerable “, he said.
He explained that this is because the poor are often less educated and unemployed, and consequently lack the ability to pay out-of-pocket for high costs associated with frequent illnesses.
Muzan listed other approaches to include: funding and finances for Primary Health delivery should be carefully mapped out and sanctioned against any misappropriation or mismanagement, to enable a robust public health programme at all Ward levels in the local government; communication and education programmes can raise knowledge and awareness, and, in turn, improve testing and care-seeking.
“There is a great need to educate, engage, and empower the communities to embrace any behaviour change relevant to achieving success in malaria, HIV, and TB control in Nigeria”, he explained.
Others are: “Every word should commit to health promotion and education programmes to increase awareness of prevention measures; and promote community participation and adherence to evidence-based strategies.
“Commmit adequate resources through advocacy and partnerships, for the full and effective implementation of all planned interventions, including through involvement of the private sector, community participatory approaches.
“Community members should actively support and advocate for their local Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs). Community involvement is crucial in ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of these centers.
“Additionally, community support can manifest through volunteering, donating resources, or participating in advocacy efforts to secure increased funding and resources for PHCs”, he stated.
The TB-Network boss identified the manifestions of GBV to include domestic abuse, verbal aggression, physical violence, rape, early marriages, incest, Female Genital Cutting (FGC), acid attacks, and outright killing.
He also disclosed that the COVID 19 Response Mechanism/RSSH aimed at intervening in various facets of GBV-related issues being implemented in Rivers State has recorded a lot of successes in general terms, among which is the part directly played by TB-Network.
According to him, “TB-Network in their bid to tackle the menace of GBV, has achieved enormous success through community outreaches to sensitise the communities’ members on the subject matter, the effect and consequences on perpetrators and survivors.
“With the help of our valuable state partners, like the state response team, Ministry of Health, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Police, FIDA, National Human Rights Commission, Rivers State Agency for the Control of AIDS (RIVSACA), and Ministry of Justice, we are able to legally fight this ill that is eating into the fabrics of our dear Rivers State.
“Currently, TB-Network is advocating for justice for two survivors of GBV cases in the State.”
Muzan concluded that addressing the issues of ATM and GBV requires robust action: “Strengthening infrastructure, securing financial resources, renewing political leadership, and fostering collaborationa are essential.
“Evidence-based interventions, such as community-led monitoring, should be scaled-up.
“Additionally, innovative services delivery models and technological adaptations are critical to minimise disruptions to routine care.”
Soibi Max-Alalibo
