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Rivers, SOML Flag Off Maternal New Born, Child Health Week -Declare Pregnant, Child Birth Services Free
Towards increasing the health potency of pregnant women and new born children, the Rivers State Government in collaboration with Saving One Million Lives (SOML), a Federal Government health care initiative, have flagged off the 2021 first round – Maternal New Born and Child Health Week with a declaration of free service charges on all maternal and child-birth activities in the state.
Speaking while flagging off the state-wide programme at Isiokpo, the headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, last Wednesday, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr Harry Agiriye, said that pregnant women, including HIV-pregnant patients would enjoy free healthcare delivery service charges in all state-owned health institutions during the period, and enjoined all pregnant women to attend their antenatal medical routines in government health centres free of charge to improve on their health potency and safe delivery.
According to him, the decision was the position of the state government taken towards improving healthcare service delivery, and encouraged women to avail themselves the opportunity of the free medical services to improve on their health and take good care of their new born babies.
He said the choice of Ikwerre LGA for the flag off was borne out of the commitment and support given to the development of healthcare service delivery in the LGA and the state at large.
Also speaking, a representative of SOML, Dr Pauline Green, said SOML was a Federal Government healthcare programme designed to drive the health indices on maternal and Child birth, adding that over 800,000 pregnant women and 200,000 children under the age of seven die every year from sicknesses that can be stopped by a simple correction.
“SOML is to stop our mothers and children from dying, let our mothers go for HIV screening, go for their antenatal care service, give their new born babies Vitamin A, ensure that they sleep on mosquito-treated bed nets to stay alive,” she stated.
She assured of the continued support of the organization on all issues relating to mother and child healthcare in the state at all times.
In his goodwill message, a representative of the National Healthcare Planning and Development Agency, Dr Imoh Ukpong, said if all the preventive measures enumerated were adhered to, the nation would have brighter, healthy future, and commended the efforts of the state government towards improving the mother and child health immunization indices.
He promised that the agency would support the state in the areas of technical support as well as supply of some of the needed medical consumables.
Earlier in his address of welcome, Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Hon Samuel Nwanosike, thanked the state government and the Primary Health Care Management Board for choosing the LGA for the 2021 first round of New Born and Child Health Week flag off.
He opined that the programme was an indication of the commitment of the state and federal governments to lay strong foundation for the nation’s future, saying that any nation which fails to plan for its future has no basis of existence.
According to him, the learning from the programme would afford women of the LGA opportunity to take care of their children so they can live healthy lives.
The Tide reports that the climax of the event was the symbolic administration of Vitamin A and other interventions, as well as community sensitization on MNCH week by the state health educator.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.