News

200 Persons Benefit From Rotary’s Medical Outreach

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2023

A total of 200 persons have benefited from Rotary’s Family Helath Days Outreach held at Model Primary Health Centre, Oginigba, Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt.
Among the beneficiaries was 24-year-old Itoro Ime, who came with her baby.
“When I heard of the free medicals, I rushed down because I’ve been sick but didn’t have money to come. But through this programme, they gave me malaria drugs so I’m very happy. May God Bless you all”, Ime said, saying that she also received a free treated mosquito net for her 10 month old baby.
The three-day Rotary Family Health Days was done in partnership with the Federal and State Ministries of Health, Hepatitis Zero World Eradication Project, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Rotary Action Group for Family Health and AIDS Prevention, in collaboration with Rotary Clubs and Districts in Nigeria.
Rotary Family Health Days is a free health outreach by Rotary and her partners to provide basic health services free to indigent communities in line with their efforts at diseases prevention and treatment.
Site Coordinator for the 15 Rotary Clubs and two Rotaract Clubs who organised the outreach, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Shittu, said Rotary provided some drugs, lab reagents and medical personnel volunteers to offer free treatment to the people of Oginigba Community.
Rtn. Shittu, who is also the President, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Express, said the three-day outreach, which started on World Polio Day on October 24, also celebrated Rotary’s efforts at eradicating Polio in the world.
“As part of our service to humanity we carry our medical outreach to our host communities about twice a year. The aim is to reach out to the less privileged in the community and attend to their health needs free of charge”, he said.
President, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Metropolitan, Rtn Oghenero Emu, noted that the outreach targets those at the rural areas who do not have easy access to medical services so they can benefit.
President, Rotary Club of Rumuomasi, Rtn. Taiwo Olayeni, added that the outreach would help reduce maternal and child mortality as treated mosquito nets were given to nursing mothers while children were given deworming medicines among others to protect them.
Medical officer in charge of Model Primary Health Centre, Oginigba, Dr. Cecilia L. Nwibubasa, lauded the efforts of Rotarians in providing the free health outreach, saying it would encourage members of the community to access healthcare.
She observed that due to the present harsh economic climate, many did not seek health services for fear of the costs and encouraged Rotary to continue the health outreach more regularly.
“Health is wealth and this programme, I believe, would help everyone of us, both us at the facility and those in the community, because if you leave them to themselves, they would not come to hospital with their health complaints.
“But when they hear that there is a free medical outreach, you would see everybody turning out for it because they are getting the service free of charge”, she said.
Health services provided include Polio immunisation, malaria screening and treatment, HIV testing and counselling, diabetes, glucose level and hypertension screening, prostate cancer screening for men, vitamins A administration and deforming of children.
Other services provided include family planning, counselling and distribution of condoms, distribution of sanitary pads for girls, as well as distribution of treated mosquito nets and free eye tests.
For the President, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Garden City, Rtn. Karina Igonikon, the excitement and response of the community was encouraging as they patiently waited to be attended to despite the heavy rains.
Rotary clubs that volunteered at the Model Primary Health Centre, Oginigba, include Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Express, Rotary Club of PH Downtown, Rotary Club of PH Garden City, Rotary Club of PH Mid-Town, Rotary Club of PH Central, RC PH Phoenix, and Rotary Club of PH South.
Others are Rotary Club of PH Mother And Child, Rotary Club of Rumuibekwe, Rotary Club of PH Metropolitan, Rotary Club of Esara City, and Rotary Club of Rumuomasi.
Also with them were Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Rotary Club of Oyigbo, Rotary Club of PH Skyfield, as well as the Rotaract Club of Port Harcourt Silver Valley, and Rotaract Club of Port Harcourt Township.

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor