Rivers
DELGA Chairman Justifies Dissolution Of Bille Youth Exco
The Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon Michael John Williams, has adduced reasons for dissolving the Bille Youth Executive, which he recently disbanded.
Speaking during a courtesy call of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Bille Clan, at his office in Degema, Thursday, the Council Boss stated that the youth body failed to adhere to the rules, laid down by the Rivers State Government, concerning conduct of youth elections in the State.
He staed that his decision to dissolve the youth body was not done out of hate or personal interest, but to simply enforce government’s decision on the matter, assuring that his administration would endorse the group if they go back and comply with the extant laws of the land.
The DELGA Sheriff called on the traditional institution in the area to get involved in the recruitment process of youths into such organizations, in order to forestall a situation where miscreants with criminal tendencies would infiltrate the youth body, using it as a cover to perpetrate crime and criminality.
He commended the people of Bille for what he called their uncommon unity and brotherliness, adding that in order to preserve the rich culture of the Bille people, his administration had undertaken to reconstruct the native arbitration building, known as the Ekine Sekiapu Society House, to a befitting structure.
Earlier, Bille Clan Chairman of the INC, Elder Dagogo George Secondus, commended the Council Chairman, whom he described as “a very special gift from God to Bille Kingdom and the entire LGA.”
He thanked the Council boss for swiftly addressing the protracted issue of sea piracy that had bedevilled the Bille people, despite their cries to past administrations for help, which unfortunately yielded nothing.
“It is better imagined than said, when the Chief Security Officer at the time was withdrawn and unwilling to assuage our pains, even by an expression of empathy.
“At that point, our entire existence as a people was challenged.
“But very unlike others, you did not turn a blind eye to the issue on ground at the time, but sprang into action,” he narrated.
He commended the Chairman for always showing interest in the affairs of Bille and other communities of the LGA, adding that the Chairman had redefined governance at the grassroots.
Elder Secondus, who prayed God Almighty to continue to uplift and protect the Council Chairman, added that DELGA would have long been transformed if the LGA had been fortunate to have the likes of Hon. Michael John Williams as Chairman of Council.
The Ijaw leaders used the occasion to invite the Chairman as Special Guest of Honour for their forthcoming INC function, slated for August 12, 2022, at Bille, and to also seek for his assistance towards the hosting
of the event.
By: Theresa Frederick
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.