Rivers
Group Rates LG Boss High On Infrastructural, Human Capital Dev
Association of Coastal and Waterways Communities of Nigeria, Andoni Local Government Chapter, a non-governmental organisation in Andoni Local Government Area, has rated the administration of the Council Chairman, Barrister Erastus Awortu, high in infrastructural and human capacity development.
In a press release made available to newsmen at the end of its meeting in Port Harcourt, the association also called for his re-election, stating its readiness to buy the intent form for him as a way of encouraging him to seek for re-election.
The association said the administration of Barrister Awortu has not only brought peace to Andoni Local Government Area, but has also exposed the area to both foreign and local investors, especially in tourism, oil and gas and fisheries.
According to the release, the re-election of the Council Chairman will enable him to not only build on the existing peace in the area, but also to complete all ongoing developmental projects.
It said Barrister Erastus Awortu has brought Government closer to the people of Andoni through the construction of people-oriented projects across communities in the area, noting that for the first time the people of Andoni can go home and sleep with their eyes closed.
“We write to congratulate our leaders in Obolo nation, especially in Andoni Local Government Area Rivers State, for their transparency in leadership styles, having mutual understanding and addition of values to humanity.
“Also, may we use this singular honour to appeal to our people that from the inception of the Chief Erastus Awortu administration, many events and developments have taken place”, the statement stated In part.
The release, jointly signed by Hon. Otugot Dick Igoni, Chapter Chairman, and Elder Blessing Tiko, Chapter Secretary, also listed some completed and ongoing developmental projects embarked upon by the Council Chairman.
Such projects include: reconstruction and completion of the 183 metre abandoned Egwede/Ayama Agana Road; the construction of 20,000 litre capacity water project at Ibot Irem Community, in Isiokwan District; the completion of the Nulge canteen, Ngo; ongoing construction of Nulge consulate building Ngo; completion of the Otu Okporo culvert, Ngo; and the completion of the Unyeada bridge.
The group said the Chairman was the only Andoni political leader who sent relief materials to displaced Andonis who took refuge at Kaa and other Communities during crisis in some Communities, while over 15 Andoni youths recently graduated as professional seamen/seafarers, captains and Engineers from Charkins Maritime Academy, Port Harcourt, sponsored by the Council Chairman.
The release said widows and the physically challenged persons were not left out as empowerment programmes were rolled out for them, stressing that widows were given #100,000 each as empowerment.
“His administration has partnered with the management of Empretech to train 152 youths in various skill acquisitions.
Other projects also listed include the “ongoing modern fencing projects around the council premises, showcasing of tourism potentials of Oyorokoto as the largest fishing settlement in West Africa to the World, the annual cultural festival and beach carnivals at Ikuru Town, among others.
It said the Council Chairman has also done so much in flood mitigation and control and pledgef to mobilize the people for his re election bid.
By: John Bibor
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.