News
Group Takes Free Medical Outreach To Rural Communities In Rivers
Inline with it sphilosophy of reaching the unreached, a socio-political group – The Rivers Equity Group – has embarked on a medical outreach to rural communities in the state.
National Leader of the group, Elder Clapton Ogolo, told newsmen during the programme at the Ogale Civic Centre, Eleme, that the outreach was based on a need assessment conducted by the group.
“We are here to continue with what we feel should be done in the rural areas and local government areas.
“Like you know, we had aneed assessment, and we realised that most of the people in the rural areas have need for medical attention, particularly their sight.
“We decided to simplify their health status by coming here”, he said.
Ogolo said the group has already visited four local government areas, stressing that all local government areas would be visited.
He said the programme would help those who cannot read to read as well as know how to vote during the 2023 elections.
Ogolo commended the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for his support towards the success of the programme, noting that it shows his concern for the health of Rivers people.
Also speaking, Sir. Emeka Ichoku, said the programme was to improve the health conditions of the people.
Ichoku said the outreach would be taken to all local government areas of the state.
He said the programme was made possible with the support of the PDP Governorship Candidate in Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, noting that it shows his deep concern for the health of Rivers people.
Ichoku also maintained that the outreach would also be used by the group to sensitise the people on the importance of collection of their permanent voters cards (PVCs).
In his remarks, a former permanent secretary in the state, Sir John Nalley, restated that the medical outreach was based on a need assessment conducted by the group.
He said the assessment revealed that the people needed medical attention as a matter of urgency.
Nalley commended the PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, SirSiminialayiFubara, for his support to the group to undertake the medical outreach.
On her part, Managing Director of Linsolar Eye Clinic,Dr.Adeline Aluge, said over 700 persons have been tested and provided with eye glasses.
She said those with serious cases were being referred to both secondary and tertiary medical institutions for treatment.
Speaking,Chairman of ElemeLocal Government Area, Chief ObarillormateOllor, described the programme as a sign of great things to come.
Ollor, who said this during a courtesy call by the group in his office, also pledged his council’s preparedness to collaborate with the group to reach all nooks and crannies of the area.
He also commended the people for the massive turn out for the programme, and added that the council would undertake the treatment of those with serious cases.
Ollor thanked the leadership of the Rivers Equity Group for finding Eleme worthy to benefit from their project.
He expressed his administration’s readiness to identify with the group, and asserted that the service the group has embarked upon would open the way for the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the state.
According to him, “when you reach out to the helpless, God will repay such kindness by making you achieve what you are looking for”.
“I listened carefully to your presentation and waited eagerly to hear such comments as we appeal for your financial assistance but it never came rather you are emphasizing the need to reach out to as many indigent persons as possible to give them a better life through medical support while difficult cases shall be referred to other secondary and or tertiary medical institutions.
“This makes it clear that the impact of what you are here to do today will have a far reaching effect and a lasting impact on our people. It is because of this high level of commitment, dedication and readiness to sincerely assist our people that I am going to support this group so that it can achieve even greater goals. As a local government, we shall also support those whose cases shall require referral to ensure that they are given the needed medical attention”, Ollor noted.
Ollor said the move has reassured him and enhanced his confidence in the Sir SimFubara’s candidacy.
He noted that, “Sim is the engine room of Rivers State and no one else knows Rivers State at the apex of governance more than him, therefore, if he supports this kind of idea, it gives us a clue to what he can do when he eventually emerges as governor”.
Also PDP Chairman in Eleme, Hon.FyneOlungwe, described the programme as the beginning of a new era in Rivers State.
Olungwe said the programme has shown that the next PDP administration in the state would bring health care to the door steps of every Rivers man and woman.
Some beneficiaries of the programme, including Pastor Joshua Joshua,Mrs Mercy Chiteh, and others, thanked the group for the gesture, and called for the programme to be sustained.
Over 300 persons benefited from the scheme as they were given free medication and medicated glasses.
By: John Bibor
A Coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Federal Government to take proactive steps towards addressing the persistent gas eruptions in Bille, Rivers.
The coalition, made up of the People’s Assembly and Bille Working Group, made the call in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, and read to journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Reading the letter, the coalition’s convener, Dr Isaac Osuoka, said that the persistent gas eruption in Bille had led to serious environmental and public health challenges.
Osuoka, also the Executive Director, Social Action, urged Tinubu to establish a presidential task force to investigate and contain the gas leak in Bille.
He also called for the immediate relocation of residents to safe shelters, provision of clean water, food and healthcare services.
Dr Emem Okon, the Executive Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, stated that gas had been bubbling from the ground, creeks, boreholes and hand-dug wells in the community since October 2025.
Okon said that the gas had triggered several fires and explosions, and that residents of the community had reported respiratory problems, vomiting and other illnesses associated with exposure to the emissions.
According to her, preliminary investigations by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have yet to identify the source of the gas.
Mr Kentebe Ebiaridor, the Coordinator, Oilwatch International, called for the publication of results from preliminary soil and water tests conducted in Bille for the residents to know the nature and extent of the contamination.
Ebiaridor urged the Federal Government to deploy medical teams to screen and treat affected residents, and immediately commence an independent study on the health impacts of the leak.
He further called for the suspension of oil and gas operations around OML 18 and 24 until the source of the gas leak was identified and the affected areas declared safe.
Ebiaridor urged the government to hold current and former operators of the oil leases accountable for environmental damage on the community.
Another speaker, Dr Bieye Briggs, urged the National Assembly to fast-track the NOSDRA Amendment Bill, 2025 to provide the agency with statutory funding and stronger enforcement powers.
Briggs urged the Federal Government to activate the regional Spill Command Centre, and make the Upstream Remediation Fund accessible for the Bille crisis and other affected communities in the Niger Delta.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has banned drone operations and fireworks in Uyo and announced temporary traffic restrictions ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the State today.
The state Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, announced the measures yesterday while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
He said the restrictions were part of security arrangements to maintain public order, protect strategic locations and ensure the smooth movement of the President’s convoy during his engagements.
“There will be total restriction on the operation and flying of drones within Uyo metropolis throughout the period of the visit. Members of the public, drone operators and service providers are advised to strictly comply with the directive,” he said.
The police commissioner also announced a ban on fireworks, knockouts and other explosive sound-producing devices within the state capital during the visit.
He said the measure would prevent panic and allow security personnel to respond effectively to genuine security threats.
The command also announced temporary restrictions on public access to designated routes and locations in Uyo to facilitate the movement of the presidential convoy.
The affected areas are Airport Road, Shelter Afrique Junction, Oron Road, Nung Oku Junction, Mbierebe Junction and Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
“Motorists are urged to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the corridors.
“Members of the public are advised to avoid the routes during the restriction and use alternative routes,” Azare said.
He also urged residents to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the affected corridors.
The commissioner said the command, working with other security agencies, had put in place security arrangements to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free visit.
He appealed to residents to understand that the temporary restrictions were necessary security measures and not intended to cause hardship.
Azare urged members of the public to remain law-abiding, avoid restricted areas and report suspicious movements to the nearest police station or through police emergency channels.
Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom is a working visit during which he is expected to inaugurate major infrastructure projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration under its ARISE Agenda. The projects cut across aviation, road infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, land administration and security.
Among the projects scheduled for inauguration are the international terminal building and airport hospital at Victor Attah International Airport, Aviation Village, ARISE Palm Resort, the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road, Ring Road 3, the Command and Control Centre and the AkwaGIS building.
The state government had earlier announced plans for the President to inaugurate projects as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary in September.
The airport projects are particularly significant to the state’s ambition to expand aviation, tourism and investment.
The international terminal is expected to strengthen the airport’s capacity to handle international operations, while the Aviation Village is intended to provide accommodation for aviation workers. The airport hospital is also among the facilities lined up for inauguration.
The road projects are also expected to improve connectivity. The 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road links communities in the two local government areas, while Ring Road 3 is designed to improve movement within Uyo and ease pressure on existing roads. The Command and Control Centre, meanwhile, is intended to strengthen security surveillance and coordination in the State.
The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.
He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.
“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.
Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.
The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.
On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.
Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.
With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.
Kevin Nengia
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