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Withdraw Your Men From Our Councils, Yobana Tells IGP

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The Caretaker Committee (CTC) Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Ambassador Marvin Yobana, has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to withdraw his men from all the 23 Local Government secretariats in Rivers State.
Amb. Yobana made the call while playing host to members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Bori Branch, and Khana Lawyers Forum at Khana, on Friday.
The council boss, according to a statement by his media team, urged the IGP not to be partisan in the political crisis rocking the State, saying the Police have a duty to protect, and not to prevent workers from accessing their offices.
He said the salary paid to local government workers can only be justified if they are allowed to access their offices and work.
“Imagine a situation whereby Khana Council pays N200 million salary to its workers on monthly basis, yet the Police do not allow them to work. We as CTC members had to hire drivers and other aides to do their work. We are trying to stop bottlenecks to achieve effective working council.
“We are using this opportunity to appeal to the IGP, so that the Council can be open for workers to resume work. I don’t see any reason why the Council should be under lock and key.
“He (IGP) is a professional and should not be seen as being partisan by calling his men to leave our Council secretariat”, he said.
Yobana described the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminilayi Fubara, as a man of peace who is poised to deliver good governance and dividends of democracy to the people of the State.
“The Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, is a mantra that has people’s face and has gone through the ranks and files; he has the mandate of the people, so he should be allowed to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.
“The people of Khana today can testify to the fact that they are one of the first beneficiaries of the dividends of democracy under Governor Fubara led-Government.
“His administration has started working on the Bori Zonal Hospital as well as deploying enough doctors to work in the hospital”, he noted.
The Chairman commended lawyers in the State for standing firm on the side of truth and justice.
He, however, charged lawyers and the Police on how to decongest the prisons using the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) method to stop more people from going to court on every little issue.
He promised to support the NBA, Bori Branch, towards enabling them to go for their annual conference in Lagos.
The leader of the NBA delegation, Idris Abayomi Shehu, had earlier thanked Yobana, for appointing some NBA members into his cabinet.
He said the NBA members were in the Council to partner with the Chairman on on how to develop the area as well as to seek for financial support to enable 200 members of the Bori Branch attend their annual conference holding in Lagos between August 23 and August 28, 2024.
Shehu appealed to the Khana CTC boss to look into the security issue confronting lawyers in Bori, adding that more security personnel are needed to man the two courts in Bori so that the environment is made friendly for their members to stay and work.
The NBA members commended Yobana for developmental projects he has put in place within a short period in office, saying it will be their joy to see him elected as the Khana Local Government substantive chairman.
They commiserated with the CTC chairman over the death of his mother and prayed God to grant the departed eternal rest.
Also speaking, the Khana Lawyers Forum’s Chairman, Dr. Dusor Ambrose, urged the people of Ogoni to support Yobana in his efforts to deliver the dividends of democracy to his people, describing him as a worthy ambassador of Ogoni.

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RIVCHPP Mulls Plan For Universal Health Coverage In Rivers

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Board of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) has expressed its readiness and determination to ensure universal health coverage for all residents of the state.

Chairman of the Board, Professor Chike Princewill, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen shortly after the Board’s inaugural retreat in Port Harcourt.

Chike also said so far over 110,000 have been enrolled into the programme in the state since its commencement last year.

He said the retreat was to inform the people that the Board has hit the ground running.

“The Board has just had their inaugural meeting and retreat, which  started yesterday. We are trying to inform the public, those residing in Rivers State, that we have hit the ground running.

“From last year when we commenced until when the Board was officially inaugurated last month, we in this Board have resolved to make sure that the universal health coverage is covered and Rivers people or any body living here can benefit from it”, he said.

The Board Chairman further said a lot have been achieved since last year, adding that, “as we speak to  you, over one hundred and ten thousand enrollees have been recorded in Rivers state across the twenty three local government areas with the help of the Executive Secretary and management.”

He said staff of the Board have been sent to all local government areas, stressing that it was part of  RIVCHPP’s effort to unbundle secondary health care with the view to making it more effective.

Professor Chike further said with the signing of the universal health coverage Act into law, the agency will expand the scope of its activities to cover everyone living and doing business in the state.

“We are are trying to even unboundle secondary care, and, of course, you know the new Act has been signed involving universal health coverage that every person is involved. So, we also include to expand the scope of the private facilities that were engaged in this health insurance programme.

“We want to assure Rivers people or anybody who live in Port Harcourt or Rivers State that you all will be given the best of facilities.

“We have discussed at length with those who have been given primary assignment in the local government primary health care centres and other facilities that we use for this  purpose.

“We have  our personnel that we are sending to the local governments as well and all the nooks and crannies of the state to make sure that the necessary things are done”, he said

He stressed the need for people to take their health seriously, saying, “you have to be healthy, you have to be alive to achieve, we believe that with your support it will come to pass. We encourage you to enroll.”

He also stressed the need for people to get their National Identity Numbers (NIN) to enable them benefit from the programme.

“You need your  national identification number, so you can be effectively captured”, he stated.

According to him, the National Health Insurance Agency which is partnering with RIVCHPP, is also emphasizing  that the NIN is necessary.

“When you register and enroll, we will look for those things so that it can be effectively captured. if you don’t have your NIN, you will be  de-enrolled because it is a directive from the National Health Insurance  Agency, and because we are working with them, we are expecting all of us to key into this programme.

“Health is key to us. We are ensuring that those who are at the end of our tentacles are also living up to standard”, he stated.

He advised health workers to ensure that when patients and their relatives come to their facilities, they are effectively handled and taken care of, and respecting them as human beings.

“As care givers, this is what we want to let all of us know”, he said.

Professor Princewill also advised all the new  local government chairmen to also put their hands on deck to encourage their people to enroll in the programme.

 

John Bibor & Birane Progress

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VC Reveals Impact Of AI … As IAUE Hosts Conference

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The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Prof. Okechukwu Onuchuku, has revealed valuable insights on how scholars can thrive in an AI-driven country.

Speaking at the 40th Conference of English Scholars Association of Nigeria (ESAN), tagged “Advancing the frontiers of Digital Humanities Research in English and Literary Studies”, with the theme, “Teaching English and Literary Studies in Nigeria’s Tertiary Institutions in The Era of AI”, Prof. Onuchukwu said the theme of the Conference provides a roadmap for navgating the challenges and opportunities being presented in AI, and Prepared to impact knowledge on humanity.

In her speech, the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Prof. Ibiere Ken-Maduako, said the theme of the Conference is apt, considering the role AI is playing in the country.

Maduako, who’s the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, called on participants to use the oppprtunit to contribute towards enhancement of knowledge.

“As I speak, members of the Faculty and the institution’s Management are elated over the successful hosting of the Conference. It was made possible on the support the VC, staff and students accorded us.

Highlights of the conference, which was held in conjunction with the English and Literary Studies Department, included induction of new members, Presentation of papers by scholars from different tertiary institutions in Nigeria that reveales benefits of AI

“I m optimistic that the conference will achieve its set goals. Students are expected to participate actively and leverage on the gains to improve”, She said.

 

 

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TB-Network Profers Multifaceted Approach To HIV, Others

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TB-Network, one of the networks working on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM), has profered a multifaceted approach in the fight against ATM and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria.

The Rivers State Coordinator of TB-Network, Mr. Messiah F. Muzan, who disclosed this recently in a media parley in Port Harcourt, said one of such approaches is to extend the National Health Insurance programme to the poor and most vulnerable in Nigeria.

“The National Health Insurance programme enjoyed by the formal sector should be extended to other citizens of Nigeria, particularly the poor and most vulnerable “, he said.

He explained that this is because the poor are often less educated and unemployed, and consequently lack the ability to pay out-of-pocket for high costs associated with frequent illnesses.

Muzan listed other approaches to include: funding and finances for Primary Health delivery should be carefully mapped out and sanctioned against any misappropriation or mismanagement, to enable a robust public health programme at all Ward levels in the local government; communication and education programmes can raise knowledge and awareness, and, in turn, improve testing and care-seeking.

“There is a great need to educate, engage, and empower the communities to embrace any behaviour change relevant to achieving success in malaria, HIV, and TB control in Nigeria”, he explained.

Others are: “Every word should commit to health promotion and education programmes to increase awareness of prevention measures; and promote community participation and adherence to evidence-based strategies.

“Commmit adequate resources through advocacy and partnerships, for the full and effective implementation of all planned interventions, including through involvement of the private sector, community participatory approaches.

“Community members should actively support and advocate for their local Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs). Community involvement is crucial in ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of these centers.

“Additionally, community support can manifest through volunteering, donating resources, or participating in advocacy efforts to secure increased funding and resources for PHCs”, he stated.

The TB-Network boss identified the manifestions of GBV to include domestic abuse, verbal aggression, physical violence, rape, early marriages, incest, Female Genital Cutting (FGC), acid attacks, and outright killing.

He also disclosed that the COVID 19 Response Mechanism/RSSH aimed at intervening in various facets of GBV-related issues being implemented in Rivers State has recorded a lot of successes in general terms, among which is the part directly played by TB-Network.

According to him, “TB-Network in their bid to tackle the menace of GBV, has achieved enormous success through community outreaches to sensitise the communities’ members on the subject matter, the effect and consequences on perpetrators and survivors.

“With the help of our valuable state partners, like the state response team, Ministry of Health, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Police, FIDA, National Human Rights Commission, Rivers State Agency for the Control of AIDS (RIVSACA), and Ministry of Justice, we are able to legally fight this ill that is eating into the fabrics of our dear Rivers State.

“Currently, TB-Network is advocating for justice for two survivors of GBV cases in the State.”

Muzan concluded that addressing the issues of ATM and GBV requires robust action: “Strengthening infrastructure, securing financial resources, renewing political leadership, and fostering collaborationa are essential.

“Evidence-based interventions, such as community-led monitoring, should be scaled-up.

“Additionally, innovative services delivery models and technological adaptations are critical to minimise disruptions to routine care.”

Soibi Max-Alalibo

 

 

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