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Successes In Brain Surgeries Excite RSUTH
The consecutive successes recorded by the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) have moved the management and staff of the tertiary health institution into a state of frenzy and excitement.
The convivial mood of celebration was made known by the management and staff in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, August 25, 2023.
The statement read in full: “Rivers State University Teaching Hospital has achieved yet another milestone in neurosurgery following series of successful brain surgeries recently.
“The surgeries which ranges from pathological issues in the brain, congenital disorder of the spine in children amongst others are feats worth mentioning as the hospital continues to break even amongst tertiary health institutions in the country.
“The transformation of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital from a secondary health provider to tertiary has contributed immensely to the progress made in the hospital.
“Some of the brain pathologies such as intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding into the brain) have had brain surgeries performed successfully and discharged home.
“Surgeries have also been performed successfully in children with various congenital diseases, including Ventriculo-Peritoneal Shunt surgeries for children with Hydrocephalus, which is a condition were there’s extensive cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricular system of the brain.
“During the ventriculo-Peritoneal shunt procedure, a flap is cut in the scalp and a small hole is drilled in the skull and a small catheter is passed into a ventricle of the brain.
“With every ventriculo-Peritoneal shunt carried out at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital,the patients (Children) have been saved from blindness, inability to walk and mental decline.
“Medical doctors in the hospital ,have also been able to repair Myelomeningoceles, which is a birth defect in which the backbone and spinal canal do not close fully before birth.
“And after a successful repair of myelomeningocele, they are not just discharged,they are transferred to the continence clinic of the hospital for supportive care before discharge.
“According to the CMD of the RSUTH, Prof Chizindu Alikor, the desire of the hospital is to provide very vital health services to Nigerians living with different health conditions as a prime tertiary teaching hospital.
“This was in line with the focal message of the Hon Commissioner for Health, Rivers State, Dr Adaeze Oreh when she went on familiarisation visit and tour of hospital facilities.
“‘We will continue to render this very important service to people living with Hydrocephalus and other congenital and acquired Neurosurgical pathologies in our environment as long as they make themselves available’, Alikor said.
“The CMD, said the acronym, T.E.A.M, translating to, Together Everyone Achieve More, was the X-factor behind the successes recorded recently.
“He explained that the medical personnel, including doctors, anaesthesia personnel, theatre uurses and technicians have all taken advantage of the enabling environment to make the neurological surgeries possible.
“The CMD also heaped praises on the lead Neurosurgeon, Dr Linda Iroegbu Emereum, and her team for the great job, and assured Rivers people of more service delivery in line with the vision of the state Governor, Sir Siminilayi Fubara,” the statement added.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.