Rivers
New Rumuolumeni DPO Assures IAUE Of Effective Security

The New Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Rumuolumeni Police Station, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ngozi Ada Oha, has assured Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port-Harcourt that the Force would create a safe and secured environment for Staff, Students and University Community.
Speaking when she paid a familiarisation visit to the Acting Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, recently, at the Council Chambers of the University, CSP Oha said she would deploy effective protective measures to prevent and mitigate threats and challenges in the institution arising from co-habitation of multitude of staff and students from different backgrounds, with diverse political ideologies, different orientations, trainings and religious inclinations.
She disclosed that most students join cultism not necessarily because they are cowards, but more because they have low self esteem, inferiority complex and want to undo each other, their lecturers and others that they perceive as weak and enemies.
DPO Oha described cultism as worse than stealing, and tantamount to killing, and encouraged those threatened to speak up.
She said they would regularly patrol round the campus to deter and respond to any criminal activity so as to bring to the barest minimum the menace of cult related activities.
The DPO, who informed that she enrolled in the Nigerian Academy since 2005, said she has served the force at different levels and capacities across the country, hinting that she has rendered security services at Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Lagos States before being transferred back to Rivers State.
She called for collaboration and partnership with the University Authority, on intelligence gathering to gain timely information communicated on potential security threats in the ivory tower.
Oha, who emphasized that information is key to solving societal problems, solicited for support in addressing security issues to ensure that the affirmation by the Director of the Rivers State Security Service that Ignatius Ajuru University of Education is the safest University in the South-South region of the Country remains the same under her watch.
She enumerated some of her achievements since she assumed office as Rumuolumeni Divisional Police Officer as uncovering plot by some cultists who came with cult badges for distribution at the Rumuolumeni Community, arrest of Operation Special Protection Area Command (OSPAC) Member who came to operate at the Rumuolumeni Community and “one chance operators” who came all the way from Ngwa in Abia State to carry out their nefarious activities in Port-Harcourt.
DPO Oha assured that her team would work amicably with the University to sanitize the institution and its environs.
Responding, the Acting Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Onuchuku, thanked the DPO for initiating the visit and for the synergy.
While agreeing that institutions of higher learning and surrounding environment are sometimes volatile, he stressed the need to separate those who are just in the school to forment trouble with their devilish acts from those that are good and genuinely want to study.
He stated that “if a conscious and deliberate effort is not put in place to ensure a safe environment for the protection of the few good students, the likely tendency would be that the bad ones would influence and corrupt thereby creating a greater problem for everyone”.
Professor Onuchuku stated further that the University has zero tolerance for cultism, hinting that cultism is outdated as those who were once members have realised that it is very unprofitable and are now joining reputable organisations and rendering voluntary services to help people in dire need.
He vowed to deal decisively with any student caught in the act to serve as a deterrent to others.
He informed the DPO about the forthcoming examinations, adding that this is one of the times that Cultists cause mayhem, assuring that his doors will remain open for them to visit and work out modalities on how to stem the tide of cult-related activities and mitigate their menace.
The Acting Vice Chancellor explained that the University tries to maintain peace during Student Union Government week by closely monitoring their activities to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the week.
He expressed dismay that rather than engage in intellectual based symposiums that would stimulate knowledge, students opt for activities like Jeans Carnival with its attendant reckless driving, Beauty Pageant, Rag Day, Parties that adds no value to their lives.
While thanking the team for the visit and looking forward to a stronger relationship, he guaranteed that the University would provide the necessary assistance, support and logistics for the Police to ensure adequate security of lives and property in the University and its environs.
In a vote of thanks, Superintendent of Police (SP) Leko Denis, also the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) 1 of Rumuolumeni Police Division, appreciated the Acting Vice Chancellor for his comments and pledged that the force will work with the University to maintain law and order as well as prevent and control crime for the safety of all.
Also among the DPO’s entourage was the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who is also the Station Officer (SO) of Rumuolumeni Police Division, ASP Alagba Emenike.
Rivers
RIVCHPP Mulls Plan For Universal Health Coverage In Rivers
Board of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) has expressed its readiness and determination to ensure universal health coverage for all residents of the state.
Chairman of the Board, Professor Chike Princewill, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen shortly after the Board’s inaugural retreat in Port Harcourt.
Chike also said so far over 110,000 have been enrolled into the programme in the state since its commencement last year.
He said the retreat was to inform the people that the Board has hit the ground running.
“The Board has just had their inaugural meeting and retreat, which started yesterday. We are trying to inform the public, those residing in Rivers State, that we have hit the ground running.
“From last year when we commenced until when the Board was officially inaugurated last month, we in this Board have resolved to make sure that the universal health coverage is covered and Rivers people or any body living here can benefit from it”, he said.
The Board Chairman further said a lot have been achieved since last year, adding that, “as we speak to you, over one hundred and ten thousand enrollees have been recorded in Rivers state across the twenty three local government areas with the help of the Executive Secretary and management.”
He said staff of the Board have been sent to all local government areas, stressing that it was part of RIVCHPP’s effort to unbundle secondary health care with the view to making it more effective.
Professor Chike further said with the signing of the universal health coverage Act into law, the agency will expand the scope of its activities to cover everyone living and doing business in the state.
“We are are trying to even unboundle secondary care, and, of course, you know the new Act has been signed involving universal health coverage that every person is involved. So, we also include to expand the scope of the private facilities that were engaged in this health insurance programme.
“We want to assure Rivers people or anybody who live in Port Harcourt or Rivers State that you all will be given the best of facilities.
“We have discussed at length with those who have been given primary assignment in the local government primary health care centres and other facilities that we use for this purpose.
“We have our personnel that we are sending to the local governments as well and all the nooks and crannies of the state to make sure that the necessary things are done”, he said
He stressed the need for people to take their health seriously, saying, “you have to be healthy, you have to be alive to achieve, we believe that with your support it will come to pass. We encourage you to enroll.”
He also stressed the need for people to get their National Identity Numbers (NIN) to enable them benefit from the programme.
“You need your national identification number, so you can be effectively captured”, he stated.
According to him, the National Health Insurance Agency which is partnering with RIVCHPP, is also emphasizing that the NIN is necessary.
“When you register and enroll, we will look for those things so that it can be effectively captured. if you don’t have your NIN, you will be de-enrolled because it is a directive from the National Health Insurance Agency, and because we are working with them, we are expecting all of us to key into this programme.
“Health is key to us. We are ensuring that those who are at the end of our tentacles are also living up to standard”, he stated.
He advised health workers to ensure that when patients and their relatives come to their facilities, they are effectively handled and taken care of, and respecting them as human beings.
“As care givers, this is what we want to let all of us know”, he said.
Professor Princewill also advised all the new local government chairmen to also put their hands on deck to encourage their people to enroll in the programme.
John Bibor & Birane Progress
Rivers
VC Reveals Impact Of AI … As IAUE Hosts Conference
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Prof. Okechukwu Onuchuku, has revealed valuable insights on how scholars can thrive in an AI-driven country.
Speaking at the 40th Conference of English Scholars Association of Nigeria (ESAN), tagged “Advancing the frontiers of Digital Humanities Research in English and Literary Studies”, with the theme, “Teaching English and Literary Studies in Nigeria’s Tertiary Institutions in The Era of AI”, Prof. Onuchukwu said the theme of the Conference provides a roadmap for navgating the challenges and opportunities being presented in AI, and Prepared to impact knowledge on humanity.
In her speech, the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Prof. Ibiere Ken-Maduako, said the theme of the Conference is apt, considering the role AI is playing in the country.
Maduako, who’s the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, called on participants to use the oppprtunit to contribute towards enhancement of knowledge.
“As I speak, members of the Faculty and the institution’s Management are elated over the successful hosting of the Conference. It was made possible on the support the VC, staff and students accorded us.
Highlights of the conference, which was held in conjunction with the English and Literary Studies Department, included induction of new members, Presentation of papers by scholars from different tertiary institutions in Nigeria that reveales benefits of AI
“I m optimistic that the conference will achieve its set goals. Students are expected to participate actively and leverage on the gains to improve”, She said.
Rivers
TB-Network Profers Multifaceted Approach To HIV, Others
TB-Network, one of the networks working on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM), has profered a multifaceted approach in the fight against ATM and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria.
The Rivers State Coordinator of TB-Network, Mr. Messiah F. Muzan, who disclosed this recently in a media parley in Port Harcourt, said one of such approaches is to extend the National Health Insurance programme to the poor and most vulnerable in Nigeria.
“The National Health Insurance programme enjoyed by the formal sector should be extended to other citizens of Nigeria, particularly the poor and most vulnerable “, he said.
He explained that this is because the poor are often less educated and unemployed, and consequently lack the ability to pay out-of-pocket for high costs associated with frequent illnesses.
Muzan listed other approaches to include: funding and finances for Primary Health delivery should be carefully mapped out and sanctioned against any misappropriation or mismanagement, to enable a robust public health programme at all Ward levels in the local government; communication and education programmes can raise knowledge and awareness, and, in turn, improve testing and care-seeking.
“There is a great need to educate, engage, and empower the communities to embrace any behaviour change relevant to achieving success in malaria, HIV, and TB control in Nigeria”, he explained.
Others are: “Every word should commit to health promotion and education programmes to increase awareness of prevention measures; and promote community participation and adherence to evidence-based strategies.
“Commmit adequate resources through advocacy and partnerships, for the full and effective implementation of all planned interventions, including through involvement of the private sector, community participatory approaches.
“Community members should actively support and advocate for their local Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs). Community involvement is crucial in ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of these centers.
“Additionally, community support can manifest through volunteering, donating resources, or participating in advocacy efforts to secure increased funding and resources for PHCs”, he stated.
The TB-Network boss identified the manifestions of GBV to include domestic abuse, verbal aggression, physical violence, rape, early marriages, incest, Female Genital Cutting (FGC), acid attacks, and outright killing.
He also disclosed that the COVID 19 Response Mechanism/RSSH aimed at intervening in various facets of GBV-related issues being implemented in Rivers State has recorded a lot of successes in general terms, among which is the part directly played by TB-Network.
According to him, “TB-Network in their bid to tackle the menace of GBV, has achieved enormous success through community outreaches to sensitise the communities’ members on the subject matter, the effect and consequences on perpetrators and survivors.
“With the help of our valuable state partners, like the state response team, Ministry of Health, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Police, FIDA, National Human Rights Commission, Rivers State Agency for the Control of AIDS (RIVSACA), and Ministry of Justice, we are able to legally fight this ill that is eating into the fabrics of our dear Rivers State.
“Currently, TB-Network is advocating for justice for two survivors of GBV cases in the State.”
Muzan concluded that addressing the issues of ATM and GBV requires robust action: “Strengthening infrastructure, securing financial resources, renewing political leadership, and fostering collaborationa are essential.
“Evidence-based interventions, such as community-led monitoring, should be scaled-up.
“Additionally, innovative services delivery models and technological adaptations are critical to minimise disruptions to routine care.”
Soibi Max-Alalibo
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