News
Rivers Gears Up For First Round Of Polio Immunization Campaign
Rivers State is set for the first round of the Oral Polio Vaccine Immunization Campaign from the 3rd through to the 6th of May, 2025.
This was disclosed by the state Director, Community Health Services, Dr. Joy Tonye Wihioka, during a sensitization meeting with the Social and Behavioral-Change Communication Committee (SBCC) and stakeholders for the round one of the National Immunization Pulse Days (NIPDs) in Port Harcourt.
According to Dr. Wihioka, this campaign is targeted at the hard to reach areas and will focus on children within the age range of zero to five years.
The Immunization exercise according to her, will basically go from house to house, community to community and school to school campaign.
She said the meeting is primarily a Clarion call to all relevant stakeholders to create awareness on the improvement of the programme in the state.
Dr. Wihioka explained that the Rivers State government is striving towards sufficient coverage in the vaccination exercise, noting that the state has recorded over 90% coverage of the vaccination exercise, save for the hard to reach areas, hence this exercise is deliberately targeted at these areas, as all necessary logistics have been put in place to ensure the successful implementation of the immunization campaign.
She said that one great achievement of the state is the near eradication of measles and whooping cough, even as the the state is not resting on its oars in carrying consistent surveillance for other vaccine preventable diseases.
She explained that it is the testament of the vaccination successes that most of these diseases have been eradicated in our dear state, that over the years it has been proven that vaccines are safe in managing preventable diseases.
On her part, the State Health Educator, Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB), Dr Babbo Diana, said one day had been designated to school children for the first round of the Oral Polio Vaccine Immunization Campaign, explaining that children between the ages of zero to five years, would be targeted in churches, mosques, market places and schools for them to be vaccinated.
He added that this year’s exercise would address the high number of unresolved non compliance cases.
Earlier, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Ajawa Chibuzor, had pledged the support of the WHO in curtailing the issue of vaccine preventable diseases in the state.
Chibuzor who is an Assistant Health Public Officer said the Organisation is fully committed to ensuring that Rivers State is free from all vaccine preventable diseases.
Also speaking, the representative of the United Nation International children Educational fund (UNICEF), Sandra James, said that UNICEF would encourage the Rivers State Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB) to have a healthy State free of Polio.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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