Politics
RVHA Sets Up Two Committees On Health
In its determination to
strengthen democracy and ensure safety of lives, the 8th Rivers State House of Assembly has set up two adhoc committees that would investigate the efforts of the Ministry of Health on the killer gin.
The motion which was moved by the Leader of the House; Hon. Marthins Amawhule noted that he had to move the motion due to the high rate of death caused by the consumption of ‘kaikai’ local gin.
Hon. Amawhule said as at the time of drafting the motion the death rate was 38 and as at today Thursday it was risen to 60 persons and it was necessary to take resolution.
The lawmaker noted that the members of the Assembly are people of integrity and would not see people die.
He explained that the tests conducted show that the gin contained Lemon which is deadly and harmful to human health.
Those who spoke include, Hon. Jones Ogbonda, Abiye Blackson Pepple and Okpokiri Nnanyeen Okpokiri. All disagreed that there should not be total ban on the substance called kaikai.
After much deliberations the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ibanni said no man can create life and commended the leader for the motion.
According to him, “The motion was quite precise, adding this has shown that they are up to their responsibility”.
“Having listened to the contributions of members, it is obvious that the Federal Government has banned the local gin, kaikai, I shall appoint a committee that will meet with the various agencies involved and brief the House on the update on what they have done.
The House also set up Committee that would work on the bill to Repel the 2014 High Court law as award.
The Leader, Hon. Amawhule noted that the bill which was amended by the 7th Assembly was done in error and to satisfy personal interest rather that the state.
According to him, the bill may not be in the best interest of the state but for the interest of the Executive.
“The section 271 where the office of the Chief Judge, acting Chief Judge, the Chief Registry should assign cases until when the Chief Judge is appointed”.
He noted that it was wrong to allow a Junior Officer to supretend over his boss, adding that it was wrong for a Magistrate to assign cases to his senior.
“Such functions cannot come from a Magistrate because judges are higher than Magistrate who are Chief Registrars”.
Members who spoke said what the 7th Assembly did was not necessary and cannot be allowed the way it was.
Hon. Jones Ogbonda, Port Harcourt constituency 1 described the law as a bad law that need repeal. The Speaker however appointed an adhoc committee headed by Deputy Speaker, Hon. Marshal Stanly Uwom as the Chairman, Deputy Leader, Hon. Loolo Dambori, Hon. Victor Ihunwo, Jones Ogbunda, Adoki Smark, Dagogo Fara as members of the committee.
He directed the committee to submit their report next week wendesday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.
“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.
In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.
The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.
The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.
It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.
INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.
Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.
The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.
“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.
He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.
He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.
According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.
Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.
He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.
“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.
“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.
According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.
He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.
Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.
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