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RSG Unveils Equipment, Vehicles To Drive Effective PHC Delivery

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Determined to maintain her position as the best performing state in the South-South region in the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge contest, the Rivers State Government has promised to continue investing heavily in health care infrastructure. The stated reason is that it touches lives, protects communities and builds a healthier future for the people of the State.
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, made the disclosure while inaugurating the newly installed Solarised Walk-in Cold Room, and Vaccine Vial Crushers at the headquarters of the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board along Aba Road in Port Harcourt. She also commissioned nine operational Hilux vehicles and ten motorcycles for disease surveillance in the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.
Professor Odu, who represented Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the unveiling ceremony, restated the commitment of government to build and bequeath a functional and accessible basic health care system to the people and residents of Rivers State. The Deputy Governor praised the Management of the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board for winning the South-South Leadership Challenge for a second consecutive time, and also emerging as national runner-up, only behind Anambra State. For emerging the champion in the South-South for the second year running, Rivers State received $500,000 each for both 2023 and 2024, demonstrating the consistent hard work of the health teams the State.
The Deputy Governor, who is also Chairman of the Rivers State Task Force on Primary Health Care, disclosed that the installation of a modern cold chain facility at the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, represents the State Government’s dedication to maintain vaccine efficacy, and ensure that every child or adult receives potent, life-saving immunisations, pointing out that the event was not just a mere inauguration of equipment, but a determined effort to strengthen the foundation of primary health care delivery in the 23 LGAs.
“Under the watch of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the administration has consistently prioritised health care infrastructure that would directly impact communities in the State. This comprehensive approach of combining storage facilities, vaccine management equipment, and mobility solutions reflects the administration’s understanding that effective health care delivery requires robust systems, infrastructure and a dedicated workforce,” Professor Odu told the gathering.
She expressed deep appreciation to such global partners as the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Educational Fund Fund (UNICEF), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), among other development partners for their commitment and unflinching support, adding that their valued partnership has given the State great mileage in achieving her targets in the critical health sector.
Professor Odu commended the Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, the Board of Trustees (BoT) and Management of the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, and staff for their concerted efforts in ensuring that Rivers State maintained the leadership position of primary health care in the South-South zone, and aiming to conquer the centre.
The event was organised under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), and supported by UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
The initiative is anchored on the Seattle Declaration agreement for stronger sub-national leadership in primary health care in Nigeria and aims to revitalise the Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR) policy, which aims to galvanise stronger commitments from State Governors to promote a progressive increase in PHC funding and delivery. The initiative is geared towards ensuring improved infrastructure in all primary health care centres with strengthened human resource capacity.
In her remarks, Rivers Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Comfort Mekele Igwe, stated that the commissioning of the equipment and vehicles would greatly enhance vaccine storage, disease surveillance, and effective health care delivery in the State. “The commissioning of these equipment and operational vehicles today represents Government’s commitment to improving the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of the primary health care system in Rivers State. The Ministry of Health will continue to closely monitor the health indices in the State to ensure proper health care delivery to our people,” Dr Igwe said.
In his address, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the RSPHCMB Professor Blessing Jaja, restated the resolve of the Board to ensure that all Rivers people have access to adequate and cost-effective health care. “Under the leadership of the Deputy Governor and the State Commissioner for Health, the Board has attained greater heights in effective service delivery to the people. I wish to thank Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his robust support towards efficient and accessible basic health care in the State,” the Chairman said.
Executive Secretary of RSPHCMB, Professor Kinikanwo Green, who described the Solarised Walk-in Cold Room as one of the best in Nigeria, stressed that the vehicles and motorcycles will help Medical Officers of Health (MOH) and support staff to access hard-to-reach areas of the State.
“The equipment, vehicles and motorcycles being commissioned today will help to strengthen primary health care delivery, ensure access to universal health care, give wider accessibility to immunisation and help to reduce the disease burden in the state.
“I wish to commend Governor Fubara for paying close attention to basic health, which covers about 80% of the entire health care needs of the populace. The Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu and the Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, have been quite exemplary in their total commitment to propelling us to where we are today in primary health care delivery,” Professor Green said.
In his contribution, Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA), Ezebunwo Ichemati, pledged continued support from his colleagues, pledging to stand solidly behind the Government in its determined effort to make affordable health care accessible to all Rivers people. Ichemati, who is also Rivers State Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), expressed happiness that the RSPHCMB was working assiduously to immunise all children. He promised that ALGON would continue to support the Board to deliver on its core mandate.   South-South Zonal Coordinator of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Oluwafunmilola Kolude, and UNICEF representative, Dr. Anselem Audu, commended the remarkable commitment to health care by the Rivers State Government, promising more partnerships to significantly improve access and coverage of immunisation.

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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