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Ebola: NUJ Lauds FG, RSG For Tackling Disease …Decries Health Workers’ Strike In Rivers
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has commended the federal and Rivers State governments for their dogged efforts that saw the eradication of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the state.
The commendation is coming even as the union has decried the three-month old strike embarked upon by primary healthcare workers in Rivers State, insisting that the consequences of the strike may be more dangerous than the EVD.
Chairman of NUJ in the state, Mr Opaka Dokubo, who spoke when he led executive members of the union to pay a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker in Port Harcourt, specifically thanked the state Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for providing the needed resources that helped to fight the disease to a stand-still.
Dokubo said, “We have come as a union to you to take our message to the Chief Executive Officer of the state, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, that as journalists, who have watched this event, we have come to thank His Excellency and the good people of Rivers State for the dogged way you fought Ebola to a stand-still. It is very easy to criticize and continue to criticize. Today, we feel pleased and very happy, and we know that this is how the people of Rivers State feel.
”We are very pleased and happy the way you went about this fight against Ebola and conquered it. We can only say thank you. We wish to commend you on this effort and without reservations, say you have done well. We also acknowledge the effort of the Federal Government as well, and indeed, we say the Federal Government did very well in this fight against Ebola.
“As you always said, we cannot relax because of this achievement; so, we urge you to do more. How the Ebola came to Rivers State is unfortunate, but all that is history now. The reality of the fact is that Ebola was here and you fought it,” Dokubo said.
He regretted that the regular immunization of new born babies has not been carried out government-owned primary health centres in the state in the last three months due to the strike embarked upon by primary health workers, and called on the 23 local government councils in the state, who are responsible for the welfare of the primary health workers to wake up to their responsibilities before it is too late.
The NUJ chairman said, “The issue of public health emergency is very much present with us. In fact, it is something that we fear we have no alternative but to raise alarm. Since July, primary health workers have been on strike. What this has translated to is that from July to September, immunization has not taken place in Rivers State, and that means that we are seating on a keg of gun powder.
“The challenge presented by this lack of immunization is more dangerous than Ebola. So, we want to call on His Excellency to get the LG chairmen to look into the issue. I am aware this is the responsibility of the local government councils; I want to call on the council chairmen to look into it. This issue must be settled and settled fast. They must sit with the health workers; settle the issues that have to be settled and get them back to work with immediate effect. We cannot afford to have another crisis in our hands,” Dokubo added.
Responding, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker regretted that the campaign set up by the state government to achieve 100% in immunization is almost collapsing due to the action of the primary health workers.
Parker, however, thanked the NUJ for coming out to commend the state government shortly after the eradication of EVD in the state, but said Nigeria cannot claim to be free from the outbreak of the dreaded disease until Liberia and Sierra Leone become free.
He said, “I must really thank you for coming out soon after this battle to commend the government of Rivers State, the governor of Rivers State and the Ministry of Health that put this together. NUJ should be accepting commendations too because your members went with us wherever we went to. I am happy that you came. I am happy that the people of Rivers State got out of this danger that came to us.
“A lot of time, we are quick to condemn and criticize, and we let go the commendations. I believe that this government would have done better if my Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, had gotten all the commendations that are due him. We assure you that we will continue to be at alert. Until Ebola is clear in Liberia and Sierra Leone, the outbreak is not over in Nigeria. What we have done is that we have come back to our pre-preparation stage,” Parker added.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol