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RSG, ICRC Partner On Improved Healthcare

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The Rivers State Government and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have restated their commitment to a strategic partnership that would restructure and revive the healthcare landscape of the state with the aim of reducing the negative impact of persistent cult-induced violence on the people and the economy.
They made the commitment at a roundtable for stakeholders in the healthcare sector, organized by the ICRC in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to address issues threatening available, accessible, and affordable quality healthcare delivery with particular emphasis on how to respond swiftly to the needs of victims of cult-related violence and other criminal activities in the state.
The event had the theme: “Port Harcourt: Roundtable On Healthcare In Danger In The South, Nigeria”.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Theophilus Odagme, who spoke on the sideline of the roundtable, said “at this roundtable, you will agree with me that the healthcare system is in danger because of various issues such as strikes, kidnapping, cult-related violence and insecurity. We intend to come up with certain decisions that would help government in re-organising the healthcare landscape in Rivers State.
“The Rivers State Government believes that ICRC is on the right track in efforts to address the huge challenges facing the healthcare delivery system. We know that ICRC is a serious and honest organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of humanity, rather than being involved in politics. We are also aware that ICRC personnel, facilities and vehicles are frequently attacked by hoodlums. We believe in what they are doing to minimize healthcare deficit in the state. We are also working hard to ensure the security and safety of your facilities, workers and vehicles,” Odagme said.
According to him, “at this time when we have gone beyond politics and are at the stage of delivering good governance to Rivers people and all those living and doing business in the state, we think that ICRC’s model to address issues threatening the healthcare system is worthy of emulation. The Rivers State Government will not only support ICRC but will also partner the organization in whatever way possible to achieve set goals.”
Earlier, Head of ICRC Office in Port Harcourt, Dorsa Nazemi-Salman, had complained that in other places, their workers, facilities and vehicles have been constantly attacked in communities where they have provided humanitarian healthcare services to those who desperately need care and treatment, and hoped that in Rivers State, such would not occur.
She said that “the lack of safe access to healthcare is one of the most significant, but unrecognized humanitarian challenges in situation of armed violence”, adding that experience elsewhere justifies the urgency for concerted synergy to address issues militating against safe delivery of dire healthcare needs to those who desperately require care and support, especially in the riverine areas of the state.
“The lack of safe access to healthcare can be caused by obstruction of healthcare delivery, discriminatory actions and policies as well as general insecurity,”
Nazemi-Salman said, stressing that the situation in the state has been undermined mostly by certain actions which block safe access to quality healthcare services by victims of violence, armed conflicts and crime.
The ICRC head of delegation stated that the roundtable would contribute to the mobilization of national and international support to create needed community concern, and encourage people to take position against violence, so as to improve healthcare delivery and humanitarian service in the South of Nigeria.
Nazemi-Salman further noted that the forum was designed to provide a unique opportunity for governments, doctors, first aid respondents, heads of ambulance services, medical emergency respond units and representatives of non-governmental organizations to share best practices on how to improve security for patients and healthcare personnel, and solicited the cooperation of all stakeholders to efforts to realize set targets.
It would be recalled that in 2011, the ICRC launched the “Healthcare In Danger (HCiD) project aimed at improving the efficiency and impartial healthcare service delivery in areas affected by armed conflicts and other emergencies.
The Tide gathered that the ICRC has achieved some level of success by mobilizing a range of experts to develop a series of practical measures which can be implemented in the field by policymakers, governments, humanitarian organizations and health professionals to reduce the negative impact of violence and armed conflicts on the economy and the people of the state and the South-South region.

 

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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