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Nigeria Hits 8.1% Prevalence In Hepatitis B – Health Commissioner

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As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark this Year’s Hepatitis Day, today, statistics have shown that the country’s current Hepatitis B prevalence stands at 8.1%, while that of Hepatitis C is 1.1%.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, disclosed this yesterday in a state broadcast as part of events marking this year’s World Hepatitis Day.
The World Hepatitis Day is marked on the 28th of July globally. This year’s theme is, “One Life, One Liver”.
Dr. Oreh said there are an estimated 354 million people living with Hepatitis B and C, out of this number, over 290 million of them are not aware of their status.
“Hepatitis continues to spread if we do not identify and link infected people to care”, she stated.
She added, “According to the National HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) 2018, our country, Nigeria, bears a huge burden of viral Hepatitis with a prevalence rate of 8.1% for Hepatitis B and 1.1% for Hepatitis C.
“This translates to an estimated 19 million people for Hepatitis B and C including co-infection of both”.
Explaining the essence of the World Hepatitis Day, the effect of Hepatitis and its mode of transmission, the commissioner said, “World Hepatitis Day is, indeed, an opportunity for us to increase awareness and jointly facilitate the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral Hepatitis with a view to saving lives.
“Viral Hepatitis is an infection that affects the liver, causing both acute and chronic diseases. They are commonly transmitted through contact with blood and other body fluids, as well as from mother to child during pregnancy and delivery”.
Oreh identified five types of Hepatitis viruses as A,B,C,D and E, saying that all have been found to be “clinically relevant”.
”However”, she explained, “viral Hepatitis B and C carry special clinical significance as a result of chronicity and pathogenicity, with 80% of liver cancer cases being attributed to both types.
“Hepatitis B and C can also be transmitted through unprotected sex”, adding that this is why it is essential to embrace preventive measures such as “vaccination, testing and safe sex in combating the spread of the disease”.
While emphasizing that viral Hepatitis B and C are not transmissible through hugging, sneezing, coughing or sharing eating utensils, Dr. Oreh said viral Hepatitis is only known at an advanced stage.
“The liver silently performs over 500 vital functions every single day to keep us alive, but viral Hepatitis is also silent with symptoms, only appearing once the disease is advanced.
“Hepatitis viruses B and C can cause nearly 8,000 new infections every day, which are mostly going undetected. This results in one new chronic infection every 10 seconds, and over one million hepatitis-related deaths every year, making liver health fundamental to human health”.
According to the commissioner, knowledge of viral Hepatitis remains low amongst Nigerians, despite being a leading infectious cause of death
Consequently, she said, “most of the estimated 19 million Nigerians living with Viral Hepatitis B or C are under-diagnosed, increasing the likelihood of transmission to others and placing them at greater risk of severe, even fatal health complications.
“People living with Hepatitis need treatment, care and support. They should not be stigmatized, discriminated against or marginalized”.
Oreh, however, noted that Hepatitis B and C infections and deaths are preventable because there are vaccines and effective treatments for Hepatitis B and even a cure for Hepatitis C.
She said, “The designated flag ship and apex center for the testing and treatment of Hepatitis in the state is the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.
“A technical working group also meets for continuous improvement of service delivery for Hepatitis and to ramp-up efforts in the elimination of Viral Hepatitis in the state.
“Furthermore, additional facilities for improved testing and vaccination will soon be activated in selected local government areas of the State.
“It is on record that the Rivers State Government has functional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines calibrated for Hepatitis and domiciled at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital”.
She, therefore, urged the public “to be proactive in raising awareness and support in the prevention and treatment of Hepatitis in the State to guarantee a Hepatitis free future.
“I encourage you to get tested and determine your status. Early testing means early and timely detection and treatment that can save lives”.

By: Sogbeba Dokubo

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RSG Cancels ?134BN Secretariat Contract, Orders Refund Of ?20BN Mobilisation … Revalidates Four Projects

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The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ?134bn contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.

 

The council directed the immediate refund of the ?20bn mobilization fee already paid to the contractor.

 

Relatedly, the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.

 

The decisions were reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

 

Briefing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process. He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.

 

With the revalidation process now on, Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.

 

He listed the projects to include, “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State. The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.

 

“The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. The renovation, retrofitting and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex,” he added.

 

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.

 

She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.

 

The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commissioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move will prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.

 

On issues of employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths. He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.

 

“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor, when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”

 

On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.

 

Dr. Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.

 

 

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Fubara Reassures Rivers People Of Completion Of PH Ring Road Project

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the completion of the 62.650km Port Harcourt Ring Road project, despite the setbacks that have slowed its progress.

 

The Governor gave the assurance during an on-site inspection tour of the project on Monday, where he emphasised that the state government remains resolute in its determination to deliver the massive infrastructure for public use.

 

Addressing journalists at the Eneka Flyover axis of the project, Governor Fubara stated that his visit was to verify the level of compliance and commitment shown by the construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.

 

Governor Fubara noted that discussions with the contractor had been ongoing to ensure that work resumes at full capacity after a period of financial challenges that affected the project’s continuity.

 

“You are aware that this project was, I won’t say abandoned, but somehow, for lack of funds, the contractor withdrew from the site. We have been discussing with them, and they gave me their word that although we have not finished all the discussions, they have already moved back to site, and I’m here to confirm that.”

 

The Governor described the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which traverses six local government areas, as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the state’s history, noting that its completion would not only ease traffic congestion in the capital city but also stimulate economic activities across multiple local government areas.

 

Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue prioritising infrastructure development as a foundation for economic growth and social progress.

 

“I want to make this promise to our good people of Rivers State,” the Governor declared. “This project that we started, by the special grace of God, we are going to complete it. We owe our people a responsibility to deliver on our commitments, and this project will not be an exception,” he added.

 

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Use Service Year To Build Capacity, Fubara Urges Corp Members

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The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 2025 Batch B, Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the State, to  use the NYSC skill acquisition training programme to build capacity.

 

Governor Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday when he declared closed, the 2025 Batch B Stream II orientation exercise in the State.

 

Represented by the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government and Chairman NYSC State Governing Board, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, Governor Fubara enjoined the Corps members to embrace skill acquisition wholeheartedly in order to elevate themselves as wealth creators and employers of labour.

 

“Take Rivers State as your home. Be assured of the warmth, hospitality, and accommodating disposition of the good of our people at all times.

 

“Take the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development post camp training very seriously and equip yourselves with the capacity to compete favourably in the nation’s huge economic space,” he stressed.

 

The Governor called on the Corps members to see their mobilization into the NYSC Scheme as a fundamental way to provide humanitarian services.

 

“Remember that you owe it to yourself, family, and the nation, the responsibility to serve selflessly and honourably,” he admonished.

 

In his farewell address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Moses Oleghe appealed to the Corps members to use the opportunity of the service year to discover their true purpose.

 

He further encouraged them to embody selfless service and empathy in serving the people.

 

The colourful ceremony witnessed a vibrant parade.

 

 

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