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NGF Approves Quarterly Campaigns For Polio Eradication …Rivers Target 90% Eradication
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has approved quarterly campaigns on poliomyelitis eradication in the 36 states of the country, the Chairman of the Forum, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, has said.
Amaechi who made the disclosure at the inauguration of the campaign last Saturday in Port Harcourt, said that the next campaign would take place in November.
He explained that the governors decided to accord priority to polio eradication because Nigeria was listed among polio endemic nations.
Amaechi said: ‘At the inception of this administration, polio and general immunisation coverage was 72 per cent but currently, the coverage is 75 per cent and 87 per cent, respectively’’.
The governor said the state was targeting 90 per cent coverage, adding: “ There is still a lot of work to be done, although government has built, equipped and commissioned Model Primary Healthcare Centres across the state for use by its citizenry.
“Our people are advised to use these facilities for all services and interventions, including immunisation as this will ensure attendant decrease in morbidity and mortality, especially among the vulnerable groups-children and women,” he said.
The governor urged the state’s ministry officials to ensure that the campaign was given the desired seriousness, not withstanding that the state still maintained zero status on polio infection.
“Though Rivers State is polio-free, Rivers people still travel outside and as such are prone to this deadly disease. For this reason, polio campaigns must be given the attention it deserved. The Ministry of Health supervising polio eradication campaigns should not see this as a mere road show, because it is the right of every child to have polio vaccination free of charge in Rivers,’’ he said.
Dr Godwin Mpi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health described as ‘a good omen’, the decision of the NGF to address the problem of polio in Nigeria.
Mpi said, “what had continued to drag back polio eradication in the past years, is lack of political will, but with the recent position of the governors, Nigeria will soon eradicate polio’’.
The Permanent Secretary said the choice of the theme, “Men Against Polio’, was selected, due to the significant role men play in society, noting that emphasis would be shifted to the role of women, youths and community in future campaigns.
Dr Akuro Okujiagu, the State’s Director of Public Health, urged nursing mothers in the state to always take part in the polio vaccination exercise, adding that the vaccine was potent and free.
Mrs Ladid Nasuru, a nursing mother who attended the event, told newsmen that she resolved to bring her children out, due to the problems faced by children who failed to take the vaccination.
“Some children who were not given this polio vaccination end up crippled and at times suffer all manner of disorder,” she said.
Our correspondent reports that Amaechi had in a broadcast to Rivers people said that the crusade against polio was an initiative of the NGF to eliminate the poliomyelitis scourge in Nigeria.
Rt. Hon Aamaechi said the first quarter programme tagged,”Men Against Polio” is targetted of the men folk whom he said ,”wield tremendous influence in decision-making both at homes and in our communities, especially in matters of health.”
The Rivers State Governor said so far immunisation coverage to curb the disease is between 75 to 87 percent but stressed that the ultimate target is to achieve 90 percent hence the need for the citizenry to support in achieving the target.
He lamented that the country was still battling with preventable polio virus. In order to address the menace, he stated that the Governors’ Forum has decided to take up the challenge to raise awareness and take proactive measures to check the spread of the viral disease.
He remarked that,” the Rivers State Government will show increased commitment in the fight against polio as well as the control, reduction and elimination of other childhood diseases”.
The governor while calling on the citizenry to avail themselves of the opportunity of immunising their children free of charge, said the state government has built and equipped new Model Primary Health Centres to help provide the services in the local areas, and called on the various local council chairmen to help drive the scheme in their domain.
He used the opportunity to commend Rotary International, UNICEF, WHO and the Bill and Mellinda Gates Foundation and other bodies that have lent support towards the drive to eliminate the scourge.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
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.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
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
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
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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