Rivers
Ministry Certifies 90 Water Factories
Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development on Friday, certified over 90 table water factories in the State, having met the World Health Organisation and National Drinking Water Standard, including the State Government’s sampling test, carried out by Ministry’s Water Service Regulatory Commission.
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, said out of 2000 water factories that participated in the exercise, about 57 water factories made the category A list, while category B and C had 12 and 25 respectively, whose’s product has one or more parameters to correct.
The essence of sampling test exercise, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja explained, was to enlighten the public in order to have an informed choice on the potable water to consume and expressed the state government’s resolve in securing the health of residents, particularly children who are most vulnerable to contaminated water.
‘’Contaminated water has contributed to dull brain in most children, studded growth, thyfoid fever and other water- related ailments. A combination of it and hydrocarbon element is deadlier than black soot which can lead to cancer or organ failure’’, he stated.
The commissioner urged water factory owners whose product made category A to maintain the standard and ensure that their water was not adulterated, warning that, the ministry will not set up any taskforce to check compliance as every one is expected to drive home the message that ‘’ No be all water be water’’, he quoted.
Dr Jaja further called on security agencies to join hands in the ministry’s regulatory drive by questioning water vans who distribute their products uncovered, without a branded name, phone number or location address, including those that distribute at night from neighbouring states.
Also speaking, the Law Maker, representing Akuku- Toru Contituency II and House Committee Chairman on Water Resources in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Lolo Isaiah Opuende, commended Dr Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja for the steps taken so far in ensuring that safe water is served in the State and thanked Governor Wike for appointing him to oversee the ministry.
Hon Opuende equally appreciated the Water Producers Association in the State for their compliance to the State government’s directives to present themselves for proper training and water testing process, adding that, their actions have proven that, they are law-abiding citizens of the State while those who absconded the process he said, will be rendered irrelevant or made to face the wrath of the law.
The law maker assured of legislative support and legal backing to strengthen the ministry’s policies and programme where necessary.
In his response, the Chairman, Water Producers Association of Nigeria, (WAPAN), Rivers State Chapter, Mr Egberi Maskson, appludded the State government and the Commissioner for the trainings given them and noted that, the training has enhanced their knowledge in doing their water business, saying that, ‘’what’s seems like a joke is now a reality’’
He assured of his association’s support to assist the ministry in it’s regulatory drive.
The Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board (RSPHCMB) says it will commence Supplemental Immunization activities on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to vaccinate children from 0-5 years across the State.
The State Health Educator, Dr. Diana Babbo, who stated this during a sensitisation meeting with Media Advocate for Health, Rivers State, on the update of immunization exercise in Rivers State, said the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) is a re-enforcement of the routine immunization at the health facilities.
According to her, it is aimed at boosting polio immunisation against the circulating variance of polio virus currently threatening the total eradication of polio in the country.
She further stated that there are four pillars of polio eradication, namely routine immunization (administered on babies in the health centre), supplemental immunization activity (supplements to boost the babies), surveillance (searching for children that have weakness in their legs or some oart of their bodies), and outbreak response.
The Health Educator noted that the Novel Oral Polio Vaccination Type 2 (NOPV 2) will be administered to children under the age of 0-5 years, which targets a specific polio still in existence in communities and capable of causing paralysis among the stated categories of children, despite the country being certified a polio-free nation.
Dr. Babbo further stated that this year’s NIPDs will address the high number of unresolved non-compliance cases in the State.
She debunked what she tagged a false rumour by mischief makers which claimed that the vaccines are responsible for the development of autism in children.
She said, “vaccines are not known to be responsible for the development of autism. We’re just hearing that. The truth is that one cannot know everything.
“That aspect that has been found, have we looked into other aspects, such as genetically modified foods, drinks, and milks that our children are taking?
“Have we also looked at genetic compatibility between couples before we now say vaccines are causing x, y, z things?
“Are we looking at the environment where these things are happening, what they are peculiar to?
“It must not be peculiar to all the families, there could be something also that’s happening around that we have not known. Research is evolving, let us not accuse our precious vaccines that have succeeded so far in my knowledge, to keep as many sicknesses at bay.
“The reason we do not have small pox in our world today, apart from the lab (a bio-lab) is because we vaccinated to the point where we were able to move small pox totally out of existence from human beings. We can succeed with that same pattern with all kinds of viruses”.
She stated that the connection between autism and vaccination could merely be coincidence.
Babbo, therefore, urged all parents, churches, and school owners to avail their children/wards the opportunity to be vaccinated against polio the stated exercise.
Sogbeba Dokubo
Engr Obi Fortune, a renowned philanthropist, has donated 80 desks to four secondary schools in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The donation is part of his commitment to advancing education in the area.
The schools that benefited from the gesture includes- Community Secondary School Umuoye.
Community Secondary School Akwa- Government Secondary School Ozuzu and Community Primary School Okehi 2 and all the schools got 20 units each of the desks.
Speaking during the brief handing-over ceremony held recently in okehi recently, Engr Obi stated that the donation fulfills his promise to use proceeds from his book sales to procure desks for schools in the LGA.
He disclosed that more desks will arrive soon and expressed his continued commitment to supporting education in the area.
Obi urged the schools to make good use of the desks and called on other individuals to contribute to the educational needs in the area.
This gesture demonstrates Engr Obi’s dedication to improving education in Etche LGA.
A professor of social and political philosophy at Rivers State University (RSU ) Nkpolu Oroworukwu port Harcourt, Prof Agha Eresia _Eke has emphasized that citizenship participation is crucial for achieving true democratic government. He stressed that citizens’ involvement in exercising their basic rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, is essential for a democratic institution to thrive.
Eresia _Eke stated this while presenting his inaugural lecture at the 111 university’s inaugural lecture series with the topic “Nigeria Democratic practices:a contextual paradox”held at the university senate auditorium in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
According to him, core democratic values which include:,- Respect for individual rights and freedoms, Protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, Equality before the law, Freedom of speech, assembly, and association, Protection of privacy and personal autonomy.
“Through out history, the problem that has agitated social and political philosophers has been to work _out a model for the realization of the common good of man.
Man has always sought and developed methods and systems of organising himself according to his true nature as a rational being.”he stated.
Eresia-Eke notes that Nigeria is not practicing a true federalism and highlights the importance of a pragmatic approach to democracy, where ideas and solutions are tested and refined in real-world environments.
He emphasized that citizens must hold their leaders accountable and demand respect for human rights, stressing that by doing so, citizens can undertake their civic obligations and responsibilities, strengthening society as a whole.
Earlier in his address, the Vice chancellor of the university, Prof Zeb _Obipi commended the lecturer for his brilliant performance, adding that he has justified and proven that he is a professor in his area of specialization.
The VC averred that the university has been consistent in the inaugural lecture monthly and assured that his administration will continue to continue to keep the trend.