News
RIVCHPP Enrols Over 36,870 To Access Basic Healthcare In Rivers LGAs
The authorities of Rivers State Health Contributory Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) say the programme has enrolled over 36,870 vulnerable persons across the 23 local councils of the State in its Basic Healthcare Programme.
This is as the Rivers State Government has expressed satisfaction over the performance of the Rivers State Health Contributory Protection Agency led by the Acting Executive Secretary, Dr. Vetty Agala.
Commending her superlative performance just within few months, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh showered encomiums on the Acting Executive Secretary for living up to expectations.
Dr. Oreh said necessary support shall be accorded her to succeed delievering basic Healthcare to one very one leaving and doing business in Rivers especially the poor and vulnerable.
She urged every everyone to embrace the gesture of His Excellence towards ensuring the health and well being of her people.
The Acting Executive Secretary revealed this during a one -day stakeholders meeting christened : Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPP) Implementation, Sensitisation Stakeholders and Responsibilities held at Conference Hall, Ministry of Justice, Port Harcourt.
Dr. Agala said Rivers State Health Contributory Protection Programme is geared towards driving the vision of His Excellency ,Siminalayi Fubara to ensure everyone has access to free health care.
Dr. Agala hinted that the programme was aimed at sensitising Rivers people on the efforts put together by Governor Fubara to bring healthcare to the door steps of the people especially the vulnerable.
She explained that the joint federal and state governments efforts at seeing everyone can access good and affordable healthcare without going through financial difficulties deserve commendations.
The Acting Executive Secretary said it is one of the best plans of government to make sure pregnant women, people living with disabilities, widows, children under five years.
Adults with chronic illnesses such as HIV, Sickle cell have access to healthcare.
She noted that the gap among the people towards accessing health care had been bridged by Governor Fubara’ s administration.
Dr. Agala further revealed that civil servants and the informal sectors can buy a plant for N15,000 only in just one year and access all health services common to us.
She said it is worthy to note that the present administration led by Governor Fubara deems it fit to implement the law having been passed over the years, saying first set which commenced June had ended, second set which starts September will be issued ID cards once enrolled.
Earlier, the Royal Father of the occasion, Eze Leslie Eke, Eze Gbakagbaka of Evo Kingdom thanked the organisers, saying the message should be taken to the rural communities.
Eze Eke commended the bold step taken by Governor Fubara to redefine governance through the healthcare of the people.
He urged Rivers people to embrace Dr Agala’s message of better healthcare.
On his part, Coordinator of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Otobo Dennis said the group will continue to give necessary support to ensure the programme achieves the desired objective.
Otobo said the civil society organisation will keep informing the rural dwellers on good intentions of government as it concerns the people across the 23 LGAs.
Otobo frowned at the attitude of some health workers in attending to patients, appealing for a rethink as they are better informed.
The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a budget of 19,636,030 Units of Account (UA) (26 million dollars) for the 2026 fiscal year, and announced plans to commemorate its 25th anniversary in November.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Hadjia Memounatou Ibrahima, who announced this, said the development followed the recent conclusion of its 2025 Second Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
She said the budget was adopted by the Parliament during plenary, stressing that, beyond being a mere accounting act, it was the engine of parliament’s commitment to West Africans.
”It will enable us to carry out our priority missions, including implementing the conclusions of the seminar on AI, while ensuring virtuous and transparent management of public funds entrusted to us.
”This budget represents a five per cent increase compared to the 2025 fiscal year budget, reflecting an upward adjustment of UA 939,233 from last year’s UA 18,996,897.
”Out of the budget of UA 19,636,030 for 2026, the sum of UA19, 368,394 representing 98.64 per cent is expected to be financed through the proceeds from the Community Levy, while UA257,636, equivalent to 1.36 per cent, will accrue from other sources,” Ibrahima said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ECOWAS Community Levy is a mandatory 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods imported into ECOWAS member states from non-ECOWAS countries.
Member states are under statutory obligation to pay the community levy, which is the main source of funding for ECOWAS institutions and their activities.
Ibrahima, however, expressed dismay that some members of the community were still defaulting on the payment of the levy, and warned that, going forward; such would be met with sanctions.
She also said that the commemoration of its 25th anniversary in November would highlight the ECOWAS Parliament’s achievements in deepening regional democracy, cooperation and growth, amid formidable challenges.
The Speaker described the forthcoming anniversary as “a chance to showcase resilience and chart a more innovative, youth-focused future for the community”.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
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