Rivers
Renaissance Energy Inaugurates EMR System For Maternal, Child Health In Rivers
Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and its Joint Venture partners (JV) have inaugurated a multi-million-naira, state-of-the-art Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system at Obio Cottage Hospital in Port Harcourt.
The EMR system is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart, designed to assist healthcare providers in storing, managing, and accessing patient health information.
General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development in Renaissance Energy, Mr Igo Weli, who did not disclose the cost of the project, inaugurated the facility in Port Harcourt.
Weli explained that the Obio Cottage Hospital, funded by Renaissance Energy JV, specialise in maternal, child, and primary healthcare services, and general medical care.
He said the decision to digitise the hospital’s operations formed part of a broader strategy to enhance healthcare delivery, patient care, and data management in Rivers.
“Obio Cottage Hospital has become a beacon of hope for thousands of families, providing affordable and accessible healthcare to residents.
“Over the years, there has been a growing demand for quality health services, increasing the urgency for innovation and efficiency in patient management”, he said.
Weli noted that healthcare delivery was rapidly evolving globally, necessitating the introduction of digital solutions to improve outcomes in Nigeria.
He remarked that for years, medical records had been manually documented, and presented significant challenges despite its merits,
The challenges, he noted, included difficulty in retrieving of patient history, the risk of misplaced records, delayed decision-making due to the absence of real-time data.
Others are included increased administrative burden on healthcare staff, and prolonged patient waiting times.
“With the implementation of the EMR system, we are boldly entering a new era of healthcare efficiency and patient-centred service delivery.
“This system will eliminate the traditional reliance on paper and folders, enable seamless documentation and retrieval of patient records, and significantly reduce waiting time.
“It will also enhance staff efficiency, reinforce data security and confidentiality, improve evidence-based decision-making, and create additional space, replacing bulky paper folders,” he added.
Weli reaffirmed the commitment of the Renaissance Energy JV to delivering efficient, timely, and high-quality healthcare services to the people of Rivers and Nigeria at large.
He noted that Obio Cottage hospital, established in 2010 under the Obio Community Health Insurance Scheme, had evolved into one of the most robust and enduring community-based health insurance models in Nigeria.
According to him, it has become both a national and international benchmark, demonstrating what is achievable when communities, government, and the private sector collaborate in pursuit of sustainable healthcare financing.
Also speaking, Dr. Vincent Nwachukwu, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, reiterated the state government’s commitment to quality healthcare delivery.
He highlighted efforts being made to bridge existing gaps within the sector.
Nwachukwu commended Renaissance Energy JV for its sustained investments in healthcare and urged other corporate bodies to emulate the company’s contributions to public health in the state.
“Transitioning from paper-based to digital-based operations is no small feat and speaks volumes of Renaissance Energy’s deep commitment to the welfare of Nigerians,” he stated.
The Assistant Director, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Olatokunbo Various, described Obio Cottage Hospital as a ‘’lasting legacy that has made affordable healthcare accessible to thousands across Nigeria.’’
He noted that the NUPRC had adopted and recommended the hospital’s community-based insurance model as a standard for healthcare system management in the country.
Various expressed appreciation to Renaissance Energy for establishing a world-class healthcare facility at the heart of its host communities.
In his remark, the Paramount Ruler of Rumuobiokani Clan, Eze Ejims Wopara, expressed delight at the company’s sustained interventions in the Rumuobiokani community.
He noted that the hospital had played a vital role in sustaining and advancing the health and well-being of thousands of people across Nigeria through the provision of maternal and child healthcare.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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Rivers
Rivers High Court Restrain Trustees, Knights of St. John International, Others From Conducting Election
The High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has restrained the registered trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria, and four others from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920 CIWA, Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery elections, and Supreme Subordinate elections of the Knights of St John International, Nigeria, pending the determination of the substantive matters before them.
Justice G.C. Aguma and Justice V.C. Ugoji, in their separate interim orders of injunction issued in Suit No: PHC/4410/CS/2025 and Suit No: PHC/4359/CS/2025, respectively, restrained the defendants, whether by themselves, their privies, agents, servants, or any person or group of persons working under them, from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery, Port Harcourt Commandery, and Supreme Subordinate of Knights of St John International, Nigeria.
The claimants, Sir Njoku Chukwuemeka Andrew and Sir Chukwuemeka Martin Mba, in separate suits, through their legal representatives, dragged the defendants to court, seeking an order to restrain them from appointing or installing any interim caretaker executive or leadership to run or pilot the affairs of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.
The defendants in the matter are: Registered Trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria; Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Ufuoma Okene, the Grand President, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery, Knights of St John International; Noble Brother Viktor Benebo, the Chairman Investigation Committee set up by the 2nd Defendant to investigate the claimants; Sir Architect Prempeh Ebiware, the District 48 Commander, Knights of St John International, Port Harcourt; and Sir Harry Oruma, member of Knights of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.
The two judges, after listening to the counsels in the matter, granted the claimants’ request and adjourned the matter to 10/12/2025 and 16/12/2025, respectively, for hearing of the motion on notice.
The Boundary Police Division in Aluu Community, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, has arrested a workman identified simply as Joshua for allegedly attacking a site supervisor, Sopiriala Sokari, with a broken bottle, leaving him in coma.
According to information gathered by The Tide, the suspect remained in police custody over the weekend while medical personnel struggled to save the victim’s life at an undisclosed hospital in Aluu.
Speaking with journalists after regaining consciousness, Sokari explained that he had hired the suspect to carry out some work at the site for ?20,000.
Trouble reportedly began when Joshua rejected a ?10,000 part payment, which Sokari had offered with a promise to complete the balance after inspecting and confirming the work.
Sokari narrated how the suspect later trailed him to an eatery near the Obiri-Ikwerre Flyover, where he attacked him with a broken bottle even after a food vendor handed the full ?20,000 to the suspect in an attempt to prevent the incident.
“I am calling on Nigerians to help me. I have spent a lot of money. I need justice”, the victim pleaded.
An unverified video clip circulating online showed Sokari with multiple injuries allegedly sustained during the attack.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.
“Yes, the suspect has been arrested. An in-depth investigation is ongoing”, she said.
By; King Onunwor
The authority of Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State has affirmed the autonomous status of Ngeribrama Community in Kalabari land, in the LGA.
A letter signed by the Chairman of the LGA, Dr. Michael John Williams, said to he affirmation was to give clarity and uphold dignity of the traditional institutions.
In his words,”the Council wishes to formally communicate its position regarding the status of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities.”
He disclosed that “following review of historical and administrative records, and confirmation of existing traditional structures, the Degema Local Government Council affirmed that Ngeribrama and its satellite communities were officially recognized as a fully autonomous community within Degema Local Government Area.”
He also noted that the community enjoys a distinct and independent traditional institution, acknowledged under local customs and traditions.
Against this backdrop, he emphasized the Council’s recognition of HRH, Daniel Ngeribrama (Ikata II) as the legitimate and duly acknowledged Amayanabo of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities.
The recognition, the Council’s Chairman further stated, “reflects the Council’s commitment to strengthening traditional authority, enhancing community identity, and promoting peaceful coexistence across all communities in the Local Government Area.”
Affirming the legitimacy and status of the amayanabo, Dr. Williams reiterated the Council’s readiness to collaborate with the traditional ruler to advance development, peace, and unity across Ngeribrama and Degema LGA at large.
Meanwhile, in an earlier statement the Amayanabo, chiefs and community leaders of Ngeribrama in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have condemned recent attempts to diminish the status and autonomy of the ancient Kalabari community.
A statement signed by the Secretary of Ngereribrama and Satellite Communities, Prof. Olomabo Gillis Harry, said the clarification has become pertinent as there have been recent attempts to diminish their status and role in Kalabari land.
The statement said, “The leadership of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities wishes to issue this public clarification for the benefit of the general public, stakeholders, and the wider Kalabari Kingdom.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ngeribrama and its satellite communities do not fall under the authority of any town or village within the Kalabari Kingdom.”
It explained that Ngeribrama constitutes a fully autonomous community, with a long-established and widely acknowledged traditional institution headed by His Royal Highness, Daniel Ngeribrama, Ikata II, the Amayanabo of Ngeribrama and Its satellite communities.
The statement noted that the autonomous status of Ngeribrama was recognised across Kalabari Kingdom and affirmed historically, culturally and traditionally.
It urged the public is to disregard any claims, statements, or insinuations suggesting that Ngeribrama is under the jurisdiction of any other community.
“Ngeribrama, located within Degema Local Government Area (DELGA), maintains its own traditional governance structure”, the statement emphasised.
Enumerating the traditional structure and levels of leadership in the community, it stated that the Amayanabo of Ngeribrama has other supporting structures with a duly constituted Council of Chiefs.
One of the chiefs is a senior member of the Royal Family, Chief Hon. Dr. Dax Kelly George, who is Da-Daigbani II.
The community, it further stated, has Elders’ Council, as well as Women and Youth Leadership.
“For historical clarity, our revered progenitor, Ngeribra, had only one child, his daughter, Princess Iwori, whose lineage forms the foundation of the Ngeribrama Community”, the statement continued.
It concluded that “Ngeribrama and its satellite communities remain committed to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and continued collaboration with sister communities within the Kalabari Kingdom, Rivers State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
By: Kevin Nengia
