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Rivers HIV/AIDS Prevalence To Reduce Soon – Programme Manager

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There are indications that the current HIV/AIDS prevalence in Rivers State of 3.8% will futher be reduced in 2024, according to the Programme Manager for the Rivers State AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Contract  Programme, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ufuoma Edewor.
Edewor, who disclosed this recently in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, hinted that Rivers State is taking precautionary measures to ensure a reduction in the State’s HIV prevalence.
She noted that the last HIV/AIDS survey carried out by the Nigeria Impact and Indicator Survey (NAIIS) in 2018, the result of which was released in 2019, placed Rivers State as the third highest in prevalence in the country at 3.8%, but that since then a lot has been done in the State to further bring down the prevalence in the State.
She further noted that before the 2018 NAIIS survey, Rivers State had 15.2% prevalence.
“There’s a significant reduction even though we’re above the national prevalence rate of 1.4%.
“Rivers State has 3.8%, but we’re very certain that by the next survey, most likely next year, we’re very certain that the prevalence on Rivers State would have come down significantly”, she stated
She explained that part of why reduction in HIV prevalence is expected in Rivers State is the fact that there’s an increase in suppression of the HIV virus among people living positively.
“We have over 87% of those that are taking these (HIV) drugs in whom the virus is suppressed.
“What this means is that when they go for the HIV test, because the test we routinely do is a test of anti-bodies, but because the quantity of the virus present is so suppressed, they do not mount that anti-bodies. That’s why some times it appears like self-converted to negative.
“When the virus is suppressed, they are not able to transmit. So, we believe that the transmission would have been reduced. It is possible that we would have a significant reduction in the prevalence”, she explained.
Dr. Edewor, therefore, called on people to come out enmass to join in the HIV campaign in the State, noting that on a weekly basis, over 4000 HIV tests are carried out across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.
Speaking on the expected reduction in HIV prevalence in the State, the Programme Director, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), Rivers State, Dr. Stanley Idakwo, said the institute had worked collaboratively with key stakeholders to ensure an increase in people on treatment.
“IHVN came into Rivers State in 2019, and in collaboration with all stakeholders, with support from Rivers State Government, and we have been able to work collaboratively since 2019.
“We started the program with just about 24,000 people on treatment. So far, we can confirm that over 80% of clients who are infected know their status and are currently on treatment in the State”, he said.
By: Sogbeba Dokubo
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Rivers

Former Perm Sec Lauds Fubara’s Loan Scheme

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A former Permanent Secretary in Rivers State, Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart, has applauded the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the N4billion loan scheme recently flagged off by the Governor and disbursed to 3,066 beneficiaries by the Rivers State Microfinance Agency(RIMA) in conjunction with the Bank Of Industry(BOI).
Sir Hart, who made the commendation while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, described the loan scheme for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and NANO as a landmark achievement recorded by the present administration.
According to him, Governor Fubara’s efforts to ameliorate unemployment and the harsh economic conditions of the people of the State are yielding fruits.
The former House of Representatives aspirant noted that the loan scheme is a frugal innovation geared towards addressing the financial challenges faced by Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the State.
According to him, it creates a simplified, affordable and sustainable solution to complex challenges in business for those doing business in the State.
Sir Hart further indicated that the immense benefits and impacts of the loan scheme can never be over-emphasised, considering the current economic situation in the country.
He noted that it would go a long way in increasing the revenue base of the State, thereby enabling the Fubara administration to carry out more development projects in the years ahead.
He, however, appealed to other States in the country to borrow a leaf from Governor Fubara in order to curtain youth restiveness across the country.
He also called on well-meaning Rivers people to support the Governor as he intends to create the enabling environment for industrialisation of the State.
This, he said can be attested to going by the plethora of people-oriented projects going on across the nooks and crannies of the State.
“Let me congratulate the beneficiaries.It has never been like this. It is left for them to be prudent in managing the funds to enable others to be part of it.The Governor means well for everyone in the State despite the distractions.It is a frugal innovation to address the challenges facing small and medium scale industries in the State.It has created a simplified, affordable and sustained solution to complex challenges in business in the State.The IGR of the State will increase and militancy would be addressed. Every sane mind is expected to automatically leverage on this wonderful opportunity provided by the Fubara-led government,” he said.
Sir Hart, therefore, advised those opposing the government to sheathe their swords and support the government to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

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Customary Law: CCA Harps On Fair Hearing Importance

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The President of Customary Court of Appeal (CCA), Rivers State, Justice Iheanachor Obuzor, has tasked chairmen and members of the state customary courts to ensure that the principles and doctrines of fair hearing are adhered to in the adjudication of customary matters in their respective areas of jurisdiction in line with administration of justice.
Obuzor made this call while declaring open a two-day capacity building workshop organized for chairmen and members of the state customary courts in the state, held at Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute, Port Harcourt, with the theme, “Empowering Chairmen and members for efficient and fair dispute Resolutions”.
The CCA boss, who was represented at the occasion by justice B. N. L. Deemua, recounted the importance of fair hearing in the adjudication of justice, stressed that fair hearing principles are crucial as it gives parties the benefits to be heard before arriving at judgment .
He asked the Chairmen and members sitting at the Customary Bar to always be fair and upright in the discharge of their duties and conduct their trials in line with the native traditions, laws, and customs of their respective communities of areas of their jurisdiction.
Describing the theme of the workshop as apt and timely, while noting the importance of training and retraining, he said, “Take the two days training very serious and it will impact and improve all of you on the job as there is no limit to where you can attain. If you do well, you can get to be a judge”.
Justice Obuzor used the opportunity to thank the management of the institute for putting up the programmes for the customary workers and assured of his continued partnership with the institute for enhanced service delivery in customary jurisprudence in the state.
Earlier in her opening address, the Director of the Justice Mary Odili judicial Institute, Port Harcourt, Justice Anuri Ken-Chikere, said Customary court’s jurisprudence deals with summary jurisdiction, unlike the superior conventional courts, adding that they have the jurisdiction to hear both civil and criminal cases .
She further emphasized that the doctrines and principles of fear hearing must be given credence in arriving at there rulings and judgement, stressing that customary courts play key roles in contributing to peace and harmony in the society.
Highlights of the occasion were good will messages from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, and many others.

Amadi Akujobi

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IAUE Promotes 51 Staff To Professors, Associate Professors

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Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) has promoted 17 academic staff to the rank of Professor, and another 34 to Associate Professors (Readers).
Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, disclosed this during an Emergency Senate Meeting, held on Wednesday at the Postgraduate Hall.
While congratulating those affected on behalf of the 12th Governing Council, the Acting Vice Chancellor reminded them that higher position means higher responsibilities.
He urged them to continue to stand out by doing their jobs very well and providing the needed leadership in their various fields of discipline.
Professor Onuchuku, who also congratulated non-teaching staff promoted, informed that they would get the monetary value attached to the promotion and expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, for prioritising education and for the financial benefits.
He advised staff to eschew hatred and bitterness and to give their subordinates what is due them irrespective of tribe and religion.
He implored Members not to “bear grudges, but be good to others at all times, even in the face of prosecution, and allow divine justice to reign supreme”.
With this promotion, the University now has 97 Professors.
Those promoted to the rank of Professors in the Faculty of Agriculture are: Joseph E. I. Ansa (Professor of Agronomy).
The Faculty of Education has Okai N. Okai (Professor of Administration of Higher Education); Tamunodienye Mba (Professor of Curriculum Teacher/Education); Marilyn Ochoma (Professor of Curriculum and Instruction); Nwankwoala H. N. L. (Professor of Educational Management); Ibiene T. LongJohn (Professor of Educational Measurement and Evaluation); Dagogo A. F. Daminabo (Professor of Sociology of Education); and Josephine E. Elekwa (Professor of Sociology of Education).
Faculty of Humanities has Anthony Adele Orlu (Professor of Environmental Literature); Israel N. Johnson (Professor of Church History); Ante James Eteka (Professor of African Literature in French); Bernadette C. Ugochukwu (Professor of Music Pedagogy—2021); and Charles G.T. Omuaru (Professor of Sculpture).
In Faculty of Management Sciences there are: Jude Nwoka (Professor of Human Resource Management); Nwakaego Chukwuigwe (Professor of Organisational Behaviour); Israel Umesi (Professor of Accountancy, Tax Management).
Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education has Azunwena Reginah N. (Professor of Home Economics Education).
Those appointed Associate Professors (Readers) are, Faculty of Agriculture: Wilcox G. Ibim (Agricultural Economics and Extension); and Eunice N. Ajie (Agricultural Economics, Agric Marketing).
In the Faculty of Education, there are: Love Nwamadi (Guidance and Counselling); Emmanuel Okwu (Library and Information Science); Iyagba Philemon W. (Educational Psychology); Amadi-Ali Beatrice O. (Early Childhood and Primary Education); and Jerome I. Wosu (History and Policy of Education).
For the Faculty of Humanities, there are: Grace Lawrence-Hart (Religious and Cultural studies); and Emeka Ikechi (African Literature -202)
Faculty of Management Sciences has Dumo Opara (Human Resources Management and Organisational Behaviour); Lawrence Amadi (Strstegic Marketing and Entrepreneurship); Ikechi Prince Obinna (Consumer Behaviour and Sustainable Marketing); Godswill Chinedu Chukwu (Consumer Behaviour and Strategic Marketing); Joy A. Mekuri-Ndimele (Human Resources Management and Office and Information Management); and Victor Chima Anucha (Marketing, Green Marketing).
The Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences has China Worukwu (Science Education); Comfort Emma Elechi (Community Health Education and Promotion); Glory Godspower- Echie (Science Education); Nwala Longinus (Science Education); Ibim Dagogo Franklin (Geophysics); Nchelem R. George (Mathematics Education); and Constance I. Amannah (Computer Science).
Faculty of Social Sciences has Ukpere Dennis Tobins (Rural Development and Resources Management); David Baride Ngeh (Sociology of Development); Poroma Celestine Lekia (Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management); Nwiekpugi B. Poronakie (Regional Development Planning); Okwakpam I. Omenuihu (Environmental Management); Wabah Goodnews (Medical Sociology); Odike Ebenezer Levi (Sociology of Development); Leelee N. Deekor (Development Economics); and Iwarimie B. Uranta (Political Theory and Methodology).
For the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, there are: Joseph O. Amaechi (Industrial Technical Education); Paulinus Emennu (Industrial Technical Education); and Salome Emeya (Agricultural Education).
At the non-teaching staff category, those promoted as Directors are: Rose K. Okah; Priscilla M. Oriji; Obi N. Wichendu; Didia Christopher; Wilson E. Ibokama; Chisa Egu; and Emejuru Chioma.
Also promoted in the Bursary Department are: Ikuru Osekeigak Bertram (Director); Graham-Kingsley Gift(Deputy Bursar); and Nicholas O. Nkwoji (Deputy Bursar).
In the Audit Unit, there is Elechi Innocent Alete (Deputy Director, Audit), while those appointed as Deputy Registrars are: Queen A. Ikhumni; Kate Ukwoma O; Dorathy N. Abinusawa; Barnabas Obi Emordi; Uchenna P. Nwankwo; Wawhua Christiana B.; Eucharia Chigbu O.; Nyebuchi Owabie; Tom-West Igbaniboba J.; Felicia Court; and Daughter O. Wugate; Legborsi Kara John.
For the position of Chief Confidential Secretary 1, there are: Elizabeth O. Wike; and Gooba E. B. Ikiriko.
Health Services Department has only Dr. Destiny Osuchukwu as Deputy Director, Health Services, same thing with Laboratory Technology which also have only Felix Tennyson Chioma as Chief Technologist 1
Also, the Security Department has only Mr. Nwidua Nwibari as Chief Security Officer 1.

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