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Ebola: We’re In Control, Amaechi Tells Citizenry …Visits Temporary Quarantine Zone
Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi has urged citizens of the state to remain calm as the State Government has the capacity to tackle the menace of Ebola disease.
He gave the assurance shortly after visiting the Ebola Isolation Centre in Oduoha Community yesterday in Emohua Local Government Area.
Amaechi said, “I am not saying that Ebola virus is bad as we think, and it doesn’t just kill the way people think. Professional doctors have said, if Ebola virus infection is well managed, the possibility of tackling the virus is there.”
Calling on citizens not to feel shy to report any symptom of infection through the state emergency lines, Amaechi noted that doctors are at hand to attend to patients.
He said plans have been concluded to upgrade the facility to enable experts and professional medical doctors properly manage and control the spread of the Ebola virus in the State.
Amaechi assured that the involvement of technical partners like the World Health Organization (WHO), Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) also know as Doctors Without Borders, the American Embassy and the Federal Government will ensure drastic measures are put in place to tackle and eliminate the disease.
“This is a temporary approved quarantine site for the Ebola virus and we are working on it to upgrade the facility. The place is a bit out of town and we want to start from here while we continue to search for a permanent site. I am going to address the State on the issue. I am not saying that Ebola virus is bad as we think and it doesn’t just kill the way people think. Professional doctors have said, if the Ebola virus infection is well managed, the possibility of tackling the virus is there. The World Health Organization (WHO), Doctors without borders, the American Embassy and the Federal Government are involved and so we are sure and confident that we will control the Ebola virus from spreading and possibly eliminate it in our state,” he said.
“I don’t want anybody infected to feel shy and possibly take it to the rural areas because it could affect your children, family and relations and any result to death. That will be too disastrous. When you have high fever you cannot account for, please don’t go to any Primary Health Center, come to the corridors of government and our doctors will pick you and give you adequate treatment,” he said.
He lauded the people of Oduoha Community for assisting government to fight the menace, assuring them that the disease is not airborne hence they should not panic at the location of the Isolation Centre in their area.
Meanwhile, Rivers State has now recorded two cases of Ebola infection in the state.
These include the medical doctor who attended to a diplomat who visited Port Harcourt two weeks ago and his wife.
An autopsy test carried out on the body of the late medical doctor, Dr Ikye Enemuo, who treated the diplomat revealed he died of Ebola disease Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker announced on Thursday to journalists in Port Harcourt.
“A few hours ago the result of the test carried out on the medical officer showed it positive of Ebola virus,” he declared.
Dr. Parker revealed that the widow of Dr. Enemuo, a medical doctor had equally taken ill after contracting the disease from her husband and had been quarantined with about 100 persons currently being placed under watch.
According to him, those in the watch list may have made contacts with the dead medical officer either through the clinic or the hotel where the diplomat was housed.
Explaining how the disease came into the state, Parker stated that a staff of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), who had made contact with Patrick Sawyer in Lagos, visited the state and was checked into a hotel from where he was attended by late Dr Enemuo.
Explaining how the scourge came into the state, the Health Commissioner disclosed that the diplomat had consulted Dr. Enemuo due to illness from where he checked into a hotel. Enemuo took ill after the departure of the diplomat who is now fully recovered.
It was the physician who was taking care of Dr. Enemuo that became suspicious after his colleague showed signs of diarrhoea, fever and stooling and died two days later on 22nd August.
Already, the Health Commissioner stated that the hospital and hotel have been decontaminated in an effort to check further spread of the disease.
He therefore assured residents of the state to remain calm and go about their normal businesses as government was on top of the situation.
Parker added, “ Ebola is not a chronic disease once you are treated you are immune. We have more people who have survived than those that died, but people must avoid unnecessary bodily contacts and maintain strong hygiene”.
Noting that, “We have all the material and human resources to fight and defeat the deadly virus. Officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and other international agencies are already working with the state Ministry of Health.”
Permanent Secretary,Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Mrs Cordelia Peterside (middle) making a speech during a three-day capacity building workshop for decoder installers organised by the Ministry in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday. With her are Permanent Secretary, Establishments, Mr Asoelu Gayamos Ogo (left) and Chairman, NUJ, Rivers State Council, Mr Opaka Dokubo
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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