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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.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
