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RSG Committed To Improve Lives Of PLWHIV
The Rivers State Government says it is committed to improving the quality of lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in the state.
Making this known yesterday, during the investiture of the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, as the “Surge Champion” for the epidemic control of the virus in the state, the governor said provision will be made to guaranty access to care.
The state government is indeed committed to improving the quality of lives for persons living with the virus by guaranteeing access to care and good quality health services comparable to international best standard”, the governor said.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, at the occasion, the governor said it was because of the commitment of the government to checking HIV/AIDS prevalence in the state that user-fees for PLWHIV was abolished.
This, he said, “is to enable unfettered access to patient-centred healthcare delivery services without stigma”.
While acknowledging the support of key stakeholders in HIV/AIDS response, the governor noted that his investiture as Surge Champion is a call for more work in HIV/AIDS response, calling on all to “remain patient and resolute in the pursuit of zero new infection to reach a future generation free of HIV/AIDS”.
In a post investiture interview, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), Dr Patrick Dakum explained that as partners in HIV/AIDS response in Rivers State, their involvement in the state’s response was necessitated by the need to bridge the gap between HIV positive persons and those who access treatment.
According to him, “the reason we are here is that we have observed that with all the work that has been on-going, the gap between those who supposed to be positive and those who are on treatment is quite wide.
“It is close to about 180,000 people that need to be on treatment in Rivers State, but are yet not on treatment. Therefore, we have the responsibility to see how we are going to move forward”, he said.
To move forward, he explained, is to first identify and map the state, identify local governments according to the proportion of PLWHIV, and subsequently provide training, for various cadre of people involved in HIV/AIDS response.
Towards this end, he said, “we have recently gone to the communities on what we call the “community hot spot”.
The essence of the hot spot syndrome, he explained further is to identify areas that in which there is increase in PLWHIV, map out same according to proportion in order to decide which are as to take testing services to, and subsequently link them to treatment centres in the state.
The Governor’s Investiture, which took place at the St Andrews State School, Port Harcourt was part of activities marking the commemoration of the 2019 World AIDS Day which was observed last Sunday.
By: Sogbeba Dokubo
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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