Rivers
Anti-Quackery Committee Seals 72 Facilities, Arrest 12 Persons
The Rivers State Anti-Quackery Committee has sealed over 72 facilities and arrested 12 persons since it began operations in the state.
Chairman of the committee and Director, Medical Services, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, said this recently while briefing journalists on the activities of the committee in Port Harcourt.
Wachukwu, who was the Director, Medical Services, Rivers State Ministry of Health, said many of the arrested persons are undergoing investigation for possible prosecution, while a few others have been prosecuted.
According to him, despite the much efforts being put in by the committee and the Rivers State Government to rid the state of quacks, they still operate in several parts of the state, including Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and its environs.
The Chairman assured that the committee and the government are committed in protecting the lives of Rivers people and ensuring that they get proper care from qualified health personnel.
“We have really worked so hard since the inception of this Anti-Quackery Committee. We have sealed about 72 hospitals, we have arrested 12 persons in connection with quackery.
“If you also recall, there was a hospital that was sealed sometime ago in Oyigbo that was being manned by a Korean.
“He was arrested and detained by the Department of State Security (DSS) and probably for diplomatic reasons he was deported and so his own activity in Nigeria has ended. Some people have also been imprisoned because of their activities”, he said.
He lamented further that “despite the efforts of this committee and the government to rid Rivers State of these quacks, it would surprise you to note that these practices are still going on in so many areas and local governments unabated, including Port Harcourt, Obio/ Akpor and its environs.
“Now based on these, the committee has continued in its activity of visiting these facilities to look into what they are doing and to take necessary actions”.
Giving a breakdown of its recent successes, Wachukwu said last Friday, some facilities and individuals operating illegally within Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the state were sealed for various offences, including operating without licences, unhealthy environments, and operating from residential apartments.
He listed the sealed facilities and individuals to include Sosan Medical Center and Laboratory/Nursing School, located off Okporo Road; Bristol Clinic and Maternity, Rumuodumaya, operated by one Mr. Kingsley Ugwu, a suspected fake Doctor; Adoration Hospital and Maternity Limited, Omagwa; Lucky Pharmacy, Omagwa, and Miss Rejoice Ogbia, a patent medicine dealer in Aluu, who was reported to be carrying out unauthorized practices beyond her scope of trainning.
He also warned medical practitioners against colluding with quacks to sabotage the healthcare sector in the state.
“We also want to use this opportunity to warn some of our health workers to desist from some of their activities because some of them are aiding and abetting some of these things that are happening.
“You can’t imagine a doctor going to a maternity to do surgery when primary healthcare center that is built and being runed by government is not authorized to do surgery”, he stated.
Wachukwu also urged the media to be wary of the kind of advertorials they publish in order not to deceive the public into patronising quacks.
He used the opportunity to reiterate the ban on all unauthorized medical outreaches by NGOs, individuals, and churches.
“We also want to use this medium to warn, once more, that no religious organisation, no private hospital, no NGO, no civil society organisation, no individual, not even a company is authorized to carryout any form of free medical care without an approval from the Ministry of Health through the office of the Director of Medical Services”, he added.
While urging the people to desist from patronising quacks, Wachukwu said they should take advantage of the Rivers State Contributory Health Insurance Programme (RIVCHIP) to access near-free healthcare services.
He also commended the efforts of various health organisations, security agencies, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, religious groups and individuals for their support.
On his part, the Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State, Dr. Diamond Tamunokuro, said the association would not defend any doctor found indulging in illegal practice.
He urged all facilities to get the requisite approvals from the Ministry of Health.
“What Rivers people and the Rivers State Government are saying is that quacks are no longer allowed in the health sector in Rivers State. If you are not registered with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, you’re not qualified to do what you are doing.
“If you are practicing in a place that’s not supposed to be used for a hospital, then you should desist from it from now because the Anti-Quackery Committee will get you.
“We are going beyond just Obio/ Akpor and Port Harcourt. We are going to places far away from the main cities. The moment the committee gets you, you’ll be arrested and prosecuted.
“The NMA is not going to defend you because you’re a doctor, the NMA will do the right thing to ensure that you serve the punishment you are supposed to serve. Lives of Rivers people matter and it’s our collective duty to protect those lives”, he stated.
by: John Bibor
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The Commissioner of Police (CP) Delta State Command, Mr. Yemi Oyeniyi, has urged traditional institutions to continue to support law enforcement in the country.
Oyeniyi gave the advice on Tuesday at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner, who was on a familiarisation tour of police formations across the state, including the Effurun area command, solicited continued partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence.
He commended the Ovie of Uvwie for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, and community development.
“I acknowledge the invaluable role of traditional institutions in supporting law enforcement in the country.
“I equally solicit continuous partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence among the people”, he said.
In his remarks, the Ovie of Uvwie, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage to the domain.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the people to supporting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
The royal father urged his subjects to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by way of providing timely and credible information.
The Commissioner, thereafter, proceeded to perform the groundbreaking of the Effurun area command at the instance of the Insp.-Gen. of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu.
The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has approved the establishment of a University Leadership Assessment Centre as proposed by Professor Veronica Okogbaa of the Department of Educational Management.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, said the centre will, among other things, identify and develop high potential skilled leaders and talents.
It will also evaluate participants through multi dimensional approach rather than rely on subjective perceptions, indulge in leadership trainings, and generate income from services with succession planning.
Similarly, Senate also approved the establishment of a centre for languages, digital Humanities and intercultural studies as proposed by the Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako.
The proposed centre, according to he statement, will have seven units namely language teaching unit, where French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Rivers State indigenous languages will be taught.
It will also have Translation and interpretation unit, indigenous languages documentation unit, Digital Humanities Laboratory, Artificial intelligence and language teaching unit, professional certification unit, as well as Research and Publication unit..
The statement quoted the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ken-Maduako, the centre will offer certificate in language proficiency for beginners, intermediate, advanced Diploma programme, translation and interpretation courses, Digital Humanities certification programme, Artificial intelligence and language technology workshops, online and Hybrid learning programmes, weekend and evening public classes, indigenous languages documentation training and Business and professional communication courses.
Professor Ken-Maduako firther said the center “will increase visibility of the University nationally and internationally, generate sustainable internally generated revenue, increase opportunities for grants and donor funded projects, enhance interdisciplinary research output, promote cultural preservation and community engagement, strengthen the University”s profile in innovation and digital transformation, attract research collaboration and international partnerships, and improve graduate employability and digital competence.”
In his speech, the Chairman of Senate and Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, encouraged sponsors of the centre to source for funds for the take off of the centre.
He explained that Directors will be appointed for the self-sponsored centres and reiterated that his administration will continue to support all proposals geared towards the growth of the University as long as they are consistent with the academic brief of the Ivory Tower.
Earlier, Professor Samuel Otamiri commended Professor Veronica Okogbaa for the proposed centre which, he said, is a remarkable development, amd described it as a robust programme that would attract the necessary patronage .
In another development, the Senate welcomed a suggestion by Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi that Valedictory Senate sessions be introduced and held for retired Professors.
Results from the Postgraduate School as presented by the Dean of the School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, was approved by Senate.
Senate also approved that presented by the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Professor Goddey Wilson, and that of the Graduate School of Business by Dr. Florence Ironawusi.
Sogbeba Dokubo
The National President, Forum of Inclusive Educators and Readers (FIER), Mr. Onyeka Innocent, has admonished school owners and parents alike to learn how to prepare their children/wards ahead time in order to beat challenges irrespective of the angle they may spring up from.
Innocent made this known at the Forum’s meeting held partly in honour of the Spelling B, 2025 winners, in Port Harcourt.
“Soldiers are not trained during war, rather, they are trained and kept in the Barracks, waiting for war”, he said.
He said students must be provided with the necessary educational tools capable of boosting their academic pursuit.
According to him, proprietors of schools must conform with the Government’s authorities and guidance if they are determined to succeed in the project.
Another solution to educational management, he said, is the availability of Education Committees in schools, saying that it will improve the quality of its learning process.
Though he did not rule out decay in the society, he said there are few that still hold fast to determination and sincerity.
The FIER leader said his association was one of the bodies with the zeal to right wrongs in the society, especially in the Education sector.
He noted that his group was also prepared to reduce the number of out-of-school children by ensuring that education was taken to all parts of the Country.
On registration of private schools as directed by the State Government, he said his members are in compliance and assured of a cordial relationship between the Government and his Association.
Meanwhile, the winners of the Competition were Master Fredrick Jeffrey of Daisy Dan School, who emerged first; Badubulachi Maryan of Fertile Vineyard Academy, 2nd; and Itode Samuel of Baridoo Sam Joel School, 3rd.
They winners where rewarded with cash prices of N100,000, N50,000 and N30, 000 respectively.
King Onunwor
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