Niger Delta

Residents Enjoy Functional Public Health In Edo, Delta, Bayelsa – Survey

Published

3 years ago

October 13, 2023

Residents of Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States say adequate provisions have been put in place to improve and sustain the current conditions of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the local government areas of the states.
The state governors of the three states domiciled in the South-South region of the country, made the assertion during a survey conducted by The Tide’s source on the condition of PHCs in the states.
Stakeholders who corroborated the state government’s position, however, stressed the need for concerted efforts to drive the process of achieving the desired PHCs, adding that the major objective of primary healthcare is to enable health systems to support the needs of the people.
The stakeholders listed such health needs to include health promotion to disease prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, palliative care and more, emphasising that the strategy is to ensure that healthcare was delivered in a way that is centred on people’s needs and respect for their preferences.
They also advocated partnerships with relevant government agencies in dealing with humanities and healthcare related issues.
The respondents spoke against a recent WHO study which revealed that the current state of PHC system in Nigeria is appalling with only about 20 per cent of the 30,000 PHCs working.
According to WHO, PHC is the provision of basic essential health services (preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative).
But in Edo, the Ministry of Health and the state’s chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), said they were working to improve medical practice.
The state’s Director of Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Dr Edward Aisowieren, told the source that medical facilities were monitored routinely to ensure adherence to standard medical practice.
According to him, the ministry also partners relevant stakeholders to visit medical facilities.
He added that “we have annual operational provision for routine monitoring and supportive visits to medical facilities in Edo.
“We do go out of the ministry to monitor activities of medical facilities and in Benin city and environs, we have gone to some facilities a few times this year.
“For those in distant local government councils in Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial Districts, we visit them once in a while.
“We partner the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Edo Primary Health Care Development Agency, and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), who report suspected cases of negligence and malpractice in medical facilities to the ministry”.
The medical services director also said the ministry has guidelines for registration of medical facilities, saying due diligence had always been the hallmark.
“We also do physical inspection and credentials of applicants are verified from appropriate bodies before registration of health facilities can be done”, he said.
On her part, the Chairman, Edo State NMA, Dr Udoka Imoisili, says the association has an anti-quackery committee that monitors the operations of medical facilities in the state.
She said “NMA is more worried about quackery than any other body; in as much as the doctors are our members, we don’t encourage quackery.
“We encourage all our doctors to practise in line with the WHO standard, which is putting patient care first”.
She explained that most unregistered and quack medical centres and personnel are domiciled in rural communities where they cannot be easily reached by regulatory bodies.
“We are ready to partner the government to address quackery because we have vehicles to move around. But we do not have the power to shut unregistered medical facilities.
“Government should ensure that every community has hospital where people can access; make teaching hospitals available to produce more medical personnel”, she explained.
In Delta, respondents hailed the immediate past Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration for the huge impact its intervention made in the health sector across the local government areas of the state.
A cross section of health experts who spoke with the source in Asaba described Okowa’s investments in the health sector as a great legacy for the people of the state.
A retired nurse, Mr Gibson Okwumbu, said the eight years administration of former Governor Okowa witnessed tremendous improvenent in general healthcare delivery service in the state.
He said “if you are in this state, you will agree with me that Okowa did a lot in the health sector. As a medical doctor, he gave priority attention to the health needs of the people.
“If you go across the local government areas, you will see that the health centres are working and many new health facilities were built. In short, there is no gainsaying the fact that Delta is among the states in Nigeria with sound and effective public health system.
“Lets us not forget the free medical services to antenatal mothers and the contributory health scheme for civil servants in the state”, Okwumbu said.
A medical doctor, Dr Laz Anosike, told the source that Delta has one of the best public health system where healthcare services are accessible and affordable to residents.
Anosike, who is the Medical Director of MayDay Clinic and Maternity, Asaba, said the previous administration made huge investments in the health sector in the provision of medical facilities and incentives.
He added that “I mean it when I say that Delta is one of the states that enjoys good and working public health system in Nigeria.
“The former governor did so much in the health sector which many can see. I am not from Delta, but I have lived here for over 12 years. I don’t think there is a community in Delta that does not have a functional health centre”.
According to another medical personnel in Ogwashi-Uku, Julius Banwuzia, Delta places high priority attention to public health.
A nursing mother, Mrs Chidinma Okolie, corroborated the position of Banwuzia, saying though there may be challenges in sustainability, the State Government has done so much in the health sector.
“I can tell you that here in Delta, women and children have enjoyed prompt and effecient healthcare services over the years.
“If you go to the health centres and general hospitals across the state, you will confirm what I am telling you.
“As a pregnant woman, you get free medical care service. Do you know what that means, especially in this trying economic times where many families cannot afford to feed”, she said.
Elsewhere in Bayelsa, respondents lamented the poor health condition of most PHCs across the state.
According to the respondents, patients seek medical help either in privately-owned health facilities or the Federal Medical Centre.
A civil servant, Mr Emmanuel Spiff, said most PHCs had decayed, with no medical personnel readily available to the attend to patients.
A nursing mother, Mrs Faith Tantua, said some pregnant women often patronised traditional health practitioners because of the worrisome health conditions of PHCs.
She said “I gave birth to all my five children in a traditional home because it is cheaper. Government will announce programmes that will benefit the masses but in reality, the people are not seeing anything”.
But a senior staff in the state’s Ministry of Health, Mr Abraham Ake, said the State Government was already addressing the health condition of PHCs.

Niger Delta

Bayelsa Inaugurates Cttees For 30th Creation Anniversary

Published

5 days ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

The Bayelsa State Government has inaugurated six sub-committees, as it begins preparations for the 30th Anniversary celebration of the creation of the state on 1st October.

Inaugurating the sub-committees in Government House, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, explained that Bayelsa has countless reasons to appreciate God for what He has done for its land and people in the 30 years of its existence, especially in development.

He charged the sub-committees to come up with proposals for the various activities and events for the celebration within the next two weeks in line with their respective terms of reference, stressing that strategic things had to be done to make the anniversary significant and historic.

According to him, the three-day programme of activities for the anniversary celebration, which will commence on the 29th of September, will be preceded by two weeks of commissioning of public infrastructural projects completed by the Prosperity Administration.

The Bayelsa Number Two Man further clarified that events penciled down for the celebration include a cultural carnival, boat regatta, anniversary lecture, sporting events, state banquet and awards night.

The sub-committees are: the Awards Sub-Committee, chaired by His Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo; the Sports Sub-Committee, headed by Hon. Daniel Igali; and the Lecture Sub-Committee, with Prof. Stephen Olali as its Chairman.

Others are: the Mega Praise Sub-Committee, jointly chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, and the Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Emiefenim; the Cultural Sub-Committee, headed by Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou-Obolo; and the Publicity Sub-Committee, with the Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, as Chairman.

by: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NDDC Backs Federal Drive To Cut Maternal, Newborn Deaths … Trains Traditional Birth Attendants

Published

5 days ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), with a renewed push to tackle the persistently high rate of preventable maternal and newborn deaths across the Niger Delta.

The Commission made the pledge during workshops for traditional birth attendants held in Delta and Bayelsa states, where it stressed the need for stronger collaboration between traditional birth attendants and the orthodox healthcare system to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Speaking at the training, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, urged women to embrace modern medical care while leveraging the trusted role of traditional birth attendants in their communities.

Represented by the Principal Manager, Education, Health and Social Services (EHSS), Mrs. Dare-Oloko Kuami, Ogbuku described maternal and child mortality as an alarming public health challenge that requires urgent and collective action.

“The rate of death among women and children is alarming and must be eradicated. This training is designed to enlighten our women and should not be taken for granted”, he said.

According to him, the workshop was organised to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of traditional birth attendants in providing safe maternal and newborn care, identifying pregnancy-related complications early, and referring high-risk cases promptly to hospitals and health centres.

Also speaking, the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Patience Ezugu, called on women to take issues relating to childbirth seriously, stressing that improved knowledge and adherence to safe delivery practices would help save lives.

Represented by the Principal Manager, EHSS, Dr. Otokolo Fidelis, Ezugu disclosed that more than 300 women from Delta and Bayelsa states participated in the training and were provided with medical equipment and cash support to enhance their services.

One of the resource persons, Mrs. Gift Akitiri, underscored the vital role traditional birth attendants continue to play in many rural communities, noting that regular capacity building would improve the quality of maternal healthcare delivery.

“Traditional birth attendants are trusted members of many communities. By equipping them with updated knowledge, we are helping to ensure that mothers and newborns receive timely and appropriate care, thereby improving health outcomes”, she said.

A participant, Mrs. Franscica Odiakosa, commended the NDDC for organising the workshop, describing it as timely and impactful.

“I have gained valuable knowledge that will improve the quality of healthcare I provide in my community. I have also learnt the importance of referring expectant mothers to health centres and hospitals whenever a case is beyond my capacity”, she said, while urging the Commission to sustain the initiative.

Niger Delta

Uyo Club Inaugurates New Executive … Tasks Members On Service, Community Impact

Published

5 days ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

One of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious social clubs, Uyo Club, has inaugurated its full Executive Council to oversee the affairs of the association for the next two years, with a charge to provide purposeful leadership and make meaningful contributions to society.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the club’s headquarters on Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, the President of the club, Prof. Sahm Etuk, urged the newly elected executive members to bring their wealth of experience and professionalism to bear in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He said members of the club expected the new leadership not only to strengthen the institution, but to also extend its impact beyond the clubhouse through service to the wider community.

“You have voluntarily presented yourselves for service, and we expect that you will make yourselves available at all times to offer the service required of you”, Etuk said.

The inauguration followed the April 2026 bye-election conducted to fill vacant positions in the Executive Council.

Among those inaugurated was renowned broadcast administrator and Executive Managing Consultant of Comfort 95.1 FM, Uyo, Samuel Enoh Akpan, who was elected Public Relations Officer. Akpan is also a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

Other members of the Executive Council are Barrister Eno Inyang (Treasurer), Anthony Etim (Social Secretary), Christian Daniel (Welfare Secretary), Friday Ekpa (Legal Adviser), Christian Chukwu (Provost), Mmenye Udofa (Assistant Secretary), Otu Otu (Maintenance Secretary) and Macaulay Udom (Ex-Officio).

Prof. Etuk, a Professor of Strategic Marketing, Director of the School of Continuing Education at the University of Uyo, and Chairman of the institution’s Sports Committee, had earlier been inaugurated as President on January 10, 2026, alongside the Vice President, Dr. Nestor Udoh, a retired Permanent Secretary.

Other officials inaugurated at the time include Ndi Aquaisua (General Secretary), TPL Dr. Emmanuel Etuk (Financial Secretary), Dr. Imbur Terfa (Auditor), and Dr. Anietie Ekong (General Games Captain).

The President also inaugurated the Board of Past Presidents, made up of all living former presidents of the club, urging them to continue providing guidance and institutional support to the Executive Council in line with the club’s constitution.

Former presidents present at the event included Dr. Emem Umoh, Dr. Bassey Etuknwa, Engr. Mbosowo Orok, Prof. Ini Jonah, and Akparawa Ikpong Essien-Udom, a member of the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

Etuk called on members to unite in pursuit of the club’s founding ideals of recreation, service and development, expressing confidence that the newly constituted organs of the club would strengthen its operations and reposition it for greater relevance.

Founded in 1935, Uyo Club remains one of Nigeria’s foremost recreational associations, with a membership that cuts across diverse professions and sectors of society.