Niger Delta
D’Gov Tasks LG Chairmen On Health Officers’ Supervision
Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has identified inadequate investment in primary healthcare as a major factor responsible for the inefficiency, stunted growth and development of the country’s health system.
He stated this at a meeting with some stakeholders of the health sector including the state commissioner for health, local government chairmen and heads of department of primary healthcare in the eight council areas at Government House, Yenagoa.
The Deputy Governor, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, noted that secondary and tertiary health institutions were being overburdened due to suboptimal performance of the primary healthcare system in Nigeria.
He stated that most of the health concerns handled by general and specialist hospitals such as malaria, typhoid fever and mild diarrhea are issues that fall within the operational remit of health centres, which are under the control of local government areas.
“As you are aware, primary healthcare is the bedrock of the health system. In fact, in other parts of the world, primary healthcare is the gatekeeper. If you want to have a successful healthcare, you don’t toy with primary healthcare.
“It is called the gatekeeper of the health system because usually everyone going into the health system needs to start from primary healthcare.
“But, unfortunately, in Nigeria here, instead of starting from the primary healthcare system, people just jump straight to the tertiary health system.
“And so, our tertiary health institutions that are supposed to be providing specialized healthcare, are now heavily burdened with primary healthcare issues”, he said.
The Deputy Governor said for the country to make appreciable progress in the health sector, governments at all levels and development partners must prioritize investment in the primary healthcare, particularly in manpower development.
He, however, noted that Bayelsa made a leap forward in the primary health sector in recent years through partnership with the GAVI intervention programme which would be rounded off this month.
Amongst other suggestions, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who advocated the provision of a what he called “Rural Posting Allowance” to health workers serving in remote communities as motivation, charged all council chairmen to effectively supervise health personnel in their domains.
He also directed the chairmen to co-opt the heads of the health department into their monthly Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC) meetings where approvals are made to authorize the expenditure of the councils.
In his contribution, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, commended the Deputy Governor for playing a central role in the state’s partnership with GAVI, UNICEF and other international partners in the provision of health services in the state.
Prof. Brisibe, underscored the importance of the Bayelsa Health Law being championed by the Deputy Governor, and called on government to mobilise more funds for routine immunization and other primary healthcare activities.
In their separate remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Health, Dr. Churson Obosi, and the Executive Secretary of the Bayelsa Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. William Appah, identified inadequate manpower, community participation, sensitization and absenteeism as major issues to address in the health sector.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta
INC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form
Human Rights Activist and founding father of the Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality of the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Elder Timi Kaiser Ogoriba, has said he would continue to advocate for the environmental and human rights of the people of the Niger Delta, especially his Ijaw kinsmen.
Ogoriba who doubles as the current Vice-Chairman of the Bayelsa State founding fathers forum made the pledge at the Ijaw House, headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), in Yenagoa, capital of the State, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after picking his interest form for the position of president in the 2026 polls of the national executive council of the body.
The Odi-born activist who described the foremost Pan-Ijaw umbrella parent body as the envy of many sister ethnic groups in the nation, noted that he played pivotal roles in the formative stages of both the INC and its youth body, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).
He expressed confidence in the activities of the body, saying he would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to reposition the Pan-Ijaw group for greater achievements when elected as President come February, 2026.
“I’m still ready to go to trenches because of Ijaw nation. For those who knew me before now, you’ll recall that I have gone to trenches several times because of my love for the Ijaw people.
“Today as an ethnic group, we’re the envy of every other tribe. And that’s because we’ve all it takes for others to envy us. Today the INC has become the pride of everyone, including many who don’t know how we started it. And I’m not detered by the propaganda against my candidacy. I’m determined to win and continue my service to the Ijaw nation.
“I was part of the struggle in 1991 when the INC was formed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I’ve all it takes to lead the INC as President. But the INC under my leadership will not be a ‘T. K. Ogoriba thing alone’. I’ll need all of you and every Son and daughter of Ijaw nation to lead us well when elected”, he said.
The Presidential hopeful, who also bared his mind on issues of Resource control and true-federalism, restated his commitment towards ensuring that the Niger Delta region was given fair treatment by Government.
He stressed the need for the INC to synergize with other ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region for positive results, saying he would also ensure that there is mutual respect and understanding amongst and between stakeholders of the Ijaw nation and other sister ethnic groups to fast track the processes of growth and development of the region.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.
Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.
Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.
He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’
Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.
Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.
In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.
Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.
“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.
Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.
“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.
Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.
Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.
He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.
Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.
“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.
The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.
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