Rivers
MOSIEND Urges N’Delta Govs To Emulate Tinubu, Revamp Seaports
Sequel to the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, the Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on Governors of the Niger Delta extraction to replicate same Ministry in their States to increase wealth creation.
MOSIEND said the creation of the ministry in the region would enhance revenue generation and employment to the teeming youths.
National President, MOSIEND, Comrade Kennedy Tonjo West, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
“The establishment of Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has opened the eyes of the people of the Niger Delta to know that our marine potentials have been poorly or inadequately harnessed and that this novel idea will boost the nation’s dwindling economy in the nearest future, if States, especially the Niger Delta, are able to think smart and explore it to their advantage.
“The Niger Delta region is richly blessed with untaped resources that can rapidly upscale revenue generation and economic growth, and we want the governors not to waste any time further.
“The opportunities in the marine and blue economy abound, hence, we should delve and explore, because across the globe, countries with littoral topography are consciously taking advantage of immense derivatives.
“This ministry at the centre is an open door to welcome yet another vista of boundless opportunities inherent in our region.
He insisted that the truth is, beyond oil and gas, Niger Delta communities are blessed, so in this harsh economic situation there is an urgent need for diversification and looking beyond oil and gas. The marine and blue economy is a promising outlook.
“What we really mean when we talk about diversification is that when people in the upland are talking about agriculture, we in the riverine should be talking about the maritime, as we call on Niger Delta governors to close ranks for the purpose of cohesion and regional growth to invest massively in the marine sector as this is the only way forward”, West said.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s approach looks promising to support any smart thinking region, and it is expedient for politicians and leaders of the Niger Delta to work together in achieving better results in the overall interest of the people of the region, especially now that there is a President who has good intentions for the region.
MOSIEND said creating the ministry at the state level is also a means through which the Federal Government can channel funds to develop the states through these ministries in the various Niger Delta states.
According to him, separating Marine from the Ministry of Transportation will make the states to focus on developing the potentials in the maritime domain and achieve great results.
“Go to Bayelsa and other Niger Delta states, they don’t have any activity to develop the maritime sector, and we need to now think outside the box to change the narratives; building the seaports and reviving the already existing ones are the only way forward.
“We are impressed with the appointment of our illustrious kinsmen and women into the federal cabinet, and we urge them to work with the Governors and Legislators to improve the infrastructures and well-being of the people.
“We, as MOSIEND, have, at several times, kicked against the continued concession of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) in Rivers State to Dangote and other users.
“It is not a wise decision as it makes no economic sense in terms of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), or employment opportunities when compared with when the Federal Government was managing it.
“NPA used to be a beehive of activities, generating huge revenue for government and creating employment for thousands of unemployed youths. But today, the reverse is the case.
“The concession of NPA to Dangote crippled the economy of Rivers State. Look at the place, it is underdeveloped. It has become a graveyard where nothing is happening.
“If you see the place now, you will cry, even the bay has become dilapidated. Why is Dubai thriving, Is it not because of the sea? So, why are we concentrating on only Lagos State? Why don’t we develop the other seaports to generate revenue for the states and create employment for the masses?”
Comrade West insisted that reviving NPA, Port Harcourt, Warri Port, Calabar seaport and building the Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa and the Akwa-Ibom seaport will change the narratives in the Niger Delta, especially now that the Federal Government is rehabilitating Nigerian refineries to help the economy bounce back.
The Public, Privately Partnership (PPP) will be a best approach to reviving the seaports in order not to waste any more time, he declared.
By: Chinedu Wosu
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.