Rivers
IYC Tasks Fubara On Unity Govt
The leadership of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, comprising Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, has called on Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to set up a unity government that will include everybody.
Such persons to be included are people from other political parties, other governorship candidates, Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates, as well as House of Assembly candidates.
President of IYC Eastern Zone, Ibim Ibiwari, in a statement made available to newsmen urged the Governor to strive to give a sense of belonging to all critical stakeholders of the State, so that they can contribute their quota and expertise and wealth of experience, knowledge and wisdom for the development and growth of the State.
The IYC, while commenting on the issues bedeviling the State, especially the most recent rift between the State House of Assembly members and the Governor, said it was unwarranted and not necessary, since the Governor has not committed any political infraction to warrant such grand plot to impeach him.
They, therefore, demanded reasons for what they called such reckless abuse of power.
They also appealed to all to the path of peace, saying the Government Is barely five months old, and we are experiencing this dastardly act and utmost show of shame”.
It condemned the burning and desecration of the hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and the shooting, tear gazing, and spraying of hot water on the Governor and his entourage, who were on their way to inspect the burnt section of the State Assembly.
Consequently, the IYC called for investigation, apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators of the action against the Governor, insisting that they must be brought to book by the Nigeria Police Force, Rivers State Command, as that will serve as a deterrent to others.
On the removal and counter- removal of both the Speaker, Hon. Martins Amewhule, and Majority Leader, Hon. Edison Ehie, it urged tha the status quo be maintained forthwith.
“We don’t see the need for infighting. It is simply a medium to deny their respective constituents their benefits, due rights and privileges.
“From our observation, they are all members of same political family and party. As such, failure to adhere to this unpaid consultancy and proposed resolution will attract grave consequences of moving and sponsoring for their immediate withdrawal.
“These political offices weren’t voted for infighting, but rather to attract development for their respective constituency, and improve the well being of their constituents”, the body stated.
Lambasting the Assembly members for the plot to remove the Governor, the IYC Eastern Zone President observed that the scheme was an abuse of power by the lawmakers.
He urged that such plans should be suspended and solidarity to build the democracy be consolidated to govern the State.
He also urged the Governor to focus on creating improved means of livelihood by enhancing adequate power supply, affordable and free health and medical care, and agriculture development capable of producing food for the masses.
By: Kevin Nengia
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.