The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Total supports healthy living in Niger Delta

    A paramount ru, Eze Ejikelerme Okwuogba, the Eze Ali Obigbor in Egi Clan in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State, appreciates the importance of good health and healthy living.

    The monarch, while speaking on November 1 this year at the Civic Centre in Obite in ONELGA, during the healthy living awareness campaign for Oil Mining Lease (OML) 58 host and neighbouring communities of Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (TEPNG), urged Rivers people to always take their health seriously and to regularly seek advice of medical experts.

    Eze Okwuogba lauded the oil giant (Total) for the initiative, while commending the medical doctors, other health professionals and the resource persons for their efforts, while admonishing his subjects to exercise regularly and do check-ups on a regular basis.

    The awareness campaign had as theme: “Tuberculosis Infection: Harnessing the Role of Early Detection and Prevention,” with all the beneficiaries earlier participating in workout for healthy living in the premises of Obite Civic Centre and they were later screened for tuberculosis.

    While also speaking at the awareness campaign, the Joint Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Mr. Mark Uchendu, stated that it was a happy day for the beneficiaries, stressing that Total was not invited by members of the host communities, describing the well-attended event as the initiative of the oil giant.

    Uchendu lauded the officials of Total for knowing that the people of the host communities were suffering, having diseases and needed to be assisted, while commending the oil company for the quick intervention and urged his people to take advantage of the opportunity and not to allow cough and other diseases to kill them.

    A resource person, Dr. Holy Brown, who supervised the workout, later disclosed that 14 persons from the host communities, who participated in the awareness campaign, were identified to have tuberculosis, after the screening by medical experts.

    Dr. Brown advised the 14 persons to move to the nearby Omoku or Ahoada general hospital in Rivers state for further screening and treatment, thereby taking advantage of the free drugs from the German Tuberculosis and Leprosy Initiative.

    Another resource person, Dr. Easter Nwokah, a Medical Microbiologist, of the Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, in his elaborate presentation with slides, described tuberculosis as a very dangerous disease/infection.

    He disclosed that tuberculosis was discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch, but he expressed optimism that efforts were being made to end the epidemic in 2035.

    The scholar, who revealed that he had carried out many research works on tuberculosis, said: “Tuberculosis is transmitted through coughing or sneezing by infected persons, thereby spreading the germs into the air, which can be inhaled by healthy persons. Overcrowding and inadequate ventilation must always be avoided.

    “There are 2 billion infections of tuberculosis globally, with 10.4 million cases of the disease per year. Tuberculosis has cure. The infected persons should immediately go to the hospital for free treatment, but they must follow the proper treatment very well and complete the dosage of drugs, without losing hope. Tuberculosis is not hereditary and it cannot be cured spiritually. There is vaccination that can prevent tuberculosis, especially in children. Parents and guardians should take advantage of it.

    “Always cover your nose with handkerchief while coughing or sneezing. Avoid spitting indiscriminately. Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.”

    Dr. Nwokah also assured that there is hope for persons with tuberculosis, but he warned against careless lifestyles and not quickly consulting medical doctors, in cases of health challenges.

    In his keynote address on the occasion, the Deputy Managing Director, Port Harcourt District of Total, Mr. Francois Le-Cocq, stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/TEPNG’s healthy living awareness campaign for the host and neighbouring communities in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States was one of the key public health projects being supported annually.

    Le-Cocq, who was represented by Total’s Manager, Community Affairs, Offshore and Port Harcourt, Okechukwu Obara, an engineer, said: “Experts say tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis that most often affects the lungs. The disease can also affect other parts of the body, such as the skin and kidney.

    “Tuberculosis is known to spread from person to person, through close contact and through the air. Statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) listed Nigeria among the 30 countries in the world with high burden of tuberculosis. A national tuberculosis prevalence survey has estimated that 570,000 persons in Nigeria fall ill with the disease each year.

    “It is against this backdrop and as a demonstration of our commitment to the comprehensive wellbeing of residents of our host and neighbouring communities that we have continued to support this Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) action on public health education, in order to draw attention to easily overlooked public health concerns and lifestyles that can deprive our people of their wellness and confine them to sickbeds in hospitals, sometimes with fatal consequences.

    “Most illnesses get worse for the simple reason that the victims were not aware of the ailments. The physical exercise session, screening and presentations are aimed at creating this awareness. Take advantage of the knowledge being provided to live healthy and encourage other members of the host and neighbouring communities to embrace this lifestyle change.”

    The deputy managing director also expressed gratitude to the Joint Venture (JV) Partners, the NNPC, for the support; the Rivers state government, through the Primary Healthcare Management Board, whose cooperation the oil firm leveraged in providing the life-saving services to people of the host and neighbouring communities; as well as the facilitator of the awareness campaign, Marnifield Nigeria Limited, for the efforts.

    Since a stitch in time saves nine, Nigerians, especially people of the host communities of oil companies in the Niger Delta, should not be careless with their health, in order to live longer and enjoy the benefits of the abundant crude oil and gas in the region.

  • Edo communities at war over land

    Two Edo communities in Ikpoba-Okha local government area, Obaretin and Ubiaza are currently at war over land.

    Several houses and cars in both communities have been razed in reprisal attacks.

    Elders of Obaretin are accusing youths of Ubiaza of using police to harass and intimidate them while the elders of Ubiaza said it was Obaretin youths that started the crisis.

    Head of Ubiaza community, Okaevbo Lucky Ogiamen, in a chat with newsmen said armed youths of Obaretin first attacked the community on August 18th and burnt down the town hall.

    Ogiamen said the incident was recorded and the attackers were arrested but were released after 3 months in detention.

    According to him, “Immediately they were released on the October 28, they came shooting in our community. We are begging the relevant authorities to come and help us.

    He appealed to the Edo State Government, Benin monarch, and other relevant authorities to come to their rescue before the entire community is razed down.

    A victim who gave her name as Princess Ehimwenma said trouble started when members of Obaretin community started encroaching on their land illegally.

    Ehimwenma said the people of Obaretin and Ubiaza community have lived together for so many years without quarrel or dispute until the sale of land began.

    “I was born here. All my brothers and sisters were born here. Ubiaza community is an ancient village.  Obaretin and Ubiaza have never had any issues before now. It is all because of land’s selling of today and they have finished selling their lands”.

    “Today they are coming to tell us our land belong to them the land our for fathers farmed and live for us we are calling on the state governor Godwin Obaseki and other relevant authorities to help us resist the people of Obaretin community”.

    A leader of Obaretin, Mr. Ogbe Ogieva, said it was the people of Ubiaza that started the attacks.

  • WHO to commence maternal treatment, child immunisation in Edo

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that it will commence maternal treatment, newborn and child immunisation exercise in Edo.

    Mrs Kate Ogieugo, WHO State Representative made this known in Benin on Wednesday during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting for the upcoming campaign.

    Ogieugo said the campaign scheduled to start on November 19 would be targeted at children and child bearing women of 15 to 49 years.

    She also said that Vitamin A would be given to children of six to 59 months to prevent child mortality.

    She said the programme was made possible due to the payment of counterparts fund for the programme by the Edo Government.

    “The interventions during the week will include immunisation of children from zero to 59 months, health education on exclusive breastfeeding for first six months.

    “Complementary feeding, prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS, simple hand washing techniques using soap and water, personal hygiene, birth registration and family planning services.

    “Vitamin A supplementation to children from six months to five years, DE-worming , Ante-natal service including malaria prevention and treatment, administration of Tetanus Diphtheria Vaccine to pregnant women and Nutrition screening,” she said.

    According to her, the programme would be carried out at all health centres and designated centres across the state from 8.00am to 4pm daily.

    Ogieugo said “Vaccinators will not move from house to house. In a single visit, all health interventions will be provided for mother and child at health and designated centres.

    “It is a package of high impact, preventive and curative services. It is cost effective. Repeated Oral polio Vaccine (OPV) will boost the child immunity,’’ she added.

    According to her, all services rendered during the week-long programme will be free. She urged mothers and caregivers should take their children to the nearest health centres.

  • When NIWA Board members toured Rivers

    Twenty eighty of the 36 states of Nigeria are connected by water and the nation is blessed with natural waterways, described as a goldmine, while many countries of the world are creating artificial waterways.

    The disclosure was made by the Area Manager of Port Harcourt Office of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Abdullahi Dabai, while hosting the visiting Chairman of the Board of NIWA, Vice Admiral Ishaya Ibrahim (rtd.), who is a former Chief of Naval Staff (CNS); the Managing Director of the authority, Senator Olurunnimbe Mamora; and other members of the board of NIWA.

    Dabai, in his progress report at the Port Harcourt Area Office of NIWA in Marine Base, Rivers State, during a facility tour by the board members, described the office as one of the oldest and largest area offices of the authority in Nigeria, manned by highly-dedicated and efficient 23 members of staff, consisting of 17 permanent and eight temporary staff, stressing that the staff strength was grossly inadequate, thereby militating against their effective performance in monitoring and revenue campaign outreaches in the rivers and creeks.

    The area manager of Port Harcourt office of NIWA also disclosed that from the activities of the Port Harcourt area office, a little over N481 million was generated in the year 2017, while calling for the speeding up of the amendment of the NIWA Act, thereby catering for the conflict with other agencies and the involvement of local and state governments in the development and provision of waterfront infrastructure.

    Mamora, a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and two-term senator, who was just two weeks in office as managing director, as at the time of the visit, also stated in his remarks that the agency (NIWA) had so much to offer Nigeria, while admonishing the members of staff across the nation to do more.

    He noted that with safer waterways, cargo transportation would be enhanced, thereby increasing NIWA’s revenue, ensuring less pressure on the roads, which would last longer and accidents drastically reduced, while describing water as a cheaper means of transportation, which according to him, would boost tourism.

    The managing director hinted that the amendment to the NIWA Act, currently being undertaken by members of the National Assembly, would be a turning point in ensuring the efficiency and optimal performance of officials of the agency.

    He noted that sister agencies must stop encroaching in the legally-defined activities of NIWA, but to leave the officials of the agency to continue to effectively and efficiently perform their roles, while declaring that having casual staff in NIWA for over seven years was unacceptable, assuring that the needful would be done.

    Mamora called on the staff that in spite of the constraints and challenges, to always put in their best and plug the leakages, stressing that he was not in NIWA to boss anybody, but as a captain of a team, with everybody having roles to play.

    Chairman of the board of NIWA, while also speaking, described Nigeria as a blessed nation, with the citizens sitting on goldmine, through the waterways.

    He said: “We are sitting on a goldmine, but we do not know how to mine it. The white men came to Nigeria through the water. Any nation bound by water like Nigeria is a blessed nation. We need very little efforts to improve our life as a nation, through the waterways, but crude oil does not allow us to see the potential. Water is enough to sustain Nigeria.

    “As a sailor, I sailed round the world. Nations dig canals for water to flow, for good and services to be moved. We do not only have canals in Nigeria, but God gave us the waterways, but we are abusing them. I wish to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for his interest in NIWA, in order to improve the situation of things.

    “Nigerian Navy is to help NIWA to succeed. Take your problems to the naval officers. If they refuse, I will take it up. Navy will definitely enforce the decisions of NIWA.”

    The former CNS also disclosed that the members of the National Assembly were ready to make laws to make the activities of NIWA much easier, but urged officials of the agency to keep the water channels clean, stressing that in the days of Mungo Park and other explorers, the waterways were not as dirty as currently obtainable in Nigeria.

    Ibrahim described crude oil as temporal, but water being permanent and it should be properly harnessed, while calling for end to the criminal activities on the waterways, by partnering with security agencies, in order to boost NIWA’s revenue and ensure economic survival of Nigeria.

    With crude oil being a temporary asset, efforts should be made by the Federal Government of Nigeria and its officials to harness the goldmine that the waterways are, thereby ending the almost total reliance on petroleum resources.

  • 98-year-old Rivers monarch advises Fed Govt

    An elder statesman and traditional ruler in Rivers State, Eze Jobson Utchay, has expressed deep concern on the state of things in the country.

    Eze Utchay, the monarch of Esara Kingdom of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, spoke at a news conference in his palace.

    He called for the reintroduction of the Option A4 (open ballot) system of voting into the electoral system.

    He also called for the scrapping of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he called the promotion of corrupt practices in the country’s polity.

    “Let me use this opportunity to call on the National Assembly and Federal Government being led by President Buhari to set a process in motion for the abolition of INEC from the country’s electoral sphere. INEC was established to be the umpire in the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections for the country, but it has failed the country woofly, INEC is the bedrock of corruption in the country.

    “Option A4 system of voting to be reintroduced into the electoral process.”

    On President Mohammadu Buhari’s corruption fight, Eze  Utchay said:  “During President Mohamadu Buhari’s  electioneering campaign in 2015,  he promised  to fight corruption and looting of Nigeria resources by some public office holders,  it was overwhelming to all Nigerians including me, that was why when he won the election and finally became president,  the expectations on him especially on the area of stamping out corruption was high,  but it is sad to say that we Nigerians are disappointed by what is going on in the country today.

    “Apart from the fact that the said corruption fight is clearly  lopsided, key officials of the present government are openly promoting the same corruption they are said to be fighting,  this is a clear case of hypocrisy.”

    He queried the rationale behind the empowerment exercise of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Senator Godwill Akpabio few months to the general elections.

    “President Buhari is fighting corruption, yet Vice President Osinbajo was openingly seen on air empowering people with cash when election is around the corner.  What kind of empowerment did a Vice President of a country suddenly remember to carry out at a time like this?

    “As a Professor in Law, a Senior Advocate, it is expected that he upholds what is right and not promote wrong things, but instead he threw caution in the wind. It was also the same thing with the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godwill Akpabio, and my question is, are they trying to bribe the people ahead of the elections or what?

    “If their intentions were right why carry out the empowerment now? What happened to last year or even the other year?”

    Also, the elder statesman criticised the spate of defections by politicians from one political party to the other, describing them as suspects looking for places to hide from their crimes.

    He added: “The increasing rate of insecurity, crises in the country is so alarming; there is no part of the country that does not have one security challenge or another.

    “Boko Haram activities became more pronounced under former President Goodluck Jonathan, Buhari main election promises were to fight corruption, end Boko Haram activities, strengthen the economy and create massive employments for the populace, but none of things have been achieve four year after.

    “Nigerians has high hopes that if not any other thing, Buhari will defeat Biko Haram since it is a Northern people’s creation, but we are mistaken the fight to stop Boko Haram has become a jamboree, with Nigerian youths, that make the population of the military being killed in their alarming numbers in daily bases by Boko Haram insurgents and nobody is doing or saying any serious thing about it.

    “My question to Nigeria leaders are,  have you identified the origins of this war,  which country are we fighting with,  what is the cause of the war,  or is Nigeria fighting against itself, if so,  then why not look inwards?

    “I want to use this medium to call on the Federal Government and all people of authority in this country, past and present -all retired and present Army generals, Commanders, National Security Advisers (NSAs), all former Presidents and their vice, all former governors, all traditional rulers across the country to also round table to truthfully discuss security challenge in the country, with the view of finding lasting solution to it.

    “I have noticed that this has become war without end. Biafran war was stopped in three years,  World War lasted not more than five years,  but Nigerian war with Boko Haram has become war without end,  and our children are dying, Nigerian children are dying in their number every day,  I am not happy about what is going on in this country,  this red cloth I am wearing is a sign of blood flowing in Nigeria, why is Nigerian leaders taking this matter so lightly, they should look within themselves and smoke out those that are sponsoring this bloodshed in this country,  it is too much.”

    The traditional ruler went on:“ God deposited a lot of wealth into this country for the comfort of the citizens, but it has become the cause of sorrows,  people are dying of hunger,  poverty everywhere,  our hospitals have nothing to write home about,  politicians are running to overseas every day to cure their sicknesses,  how about the poor Nigerians who cannot afford a meal a day,  even in weeks, our leaders are not taking our plights to heart otherwise they would have built befitting and affordable hospitals all over the country but they prefer to spend more than what can build us good hospital at home in hospitals overseas to treat themselves and children.

    “My advice is that the Federal Government should initiate comprehensive compilation of all unemployed youths in the country and begin to give them allowances as it is done in Europe, America, Asia and other countries of the world, with the view of funding solution to this unending war raging in the country, because this war must be put to an end.”

  • Restoring Maritime Academy’s lost tradition

    On Friday, November 2, 2018, the Management of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom State, under the Rectorship of Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua (Rtd.), will be holding the 2018 Passing-Out-Parade (P.O.P) for graduating Cadets of the foremost maritime training institution in the country.

    By a quick comparison, the Passing-Out-Parade is equivalent to what is popularly known as Convocation or Graduation Ceremony in other tertiary institutions, which usually marks the climax of studies in the Academy for Cadets within specific academic sessions who have met the basic requirements for the award of various certificates in respective fields of their professional training. In other words, it is a formal, periodic academic ritual that openly validates the Cadets’ competence and ceremonially confirms to the whole world that the qualified ones within a particular batch(s) are duly and officially churned out into the wider world of opportunities to contribute their quota to nation building and sectorial development of self. Information from the Corporate Affairs Department of the Academy  indicated that Cadets in their different fields of study, within the 2018 graduation year will be eligible to pass out.

    The 2018 Passing-Out-Parade ceremony could be said to be significant and momentous for four specific reasons of interest. First and foremost, this is the first time in about seven years that this very important event in the life of Cadets will be held. One principal or plausible reason for failure of previous Managements of the institution to have held the event in those years may not be far from the lapses they were unable to circumvent with appreciable consequences, but which, commendably, the incumbent Rector and his Management team have tackled decisively; hence the possibility of this year’s Passing-Out-Parade.

    Secondly, against what may have been the case in recent past where there was growing apprehension as a result of intense criticism over the leadership, fortune and future of the Academy, the 2018 Passing-Out-Parade would serve both as an encouragement and reminder to the Federal Government and other critical Stakeholders that their huge investment in the institution is beginning to recoup towards excellence and professionalism in the creation of additional and regenerative man-power base to fill the existing gap in the sustainable development of the country’s blue economy.

    That the present leadership has not only been able to rehabilitate the intrinsic and long-standing standard in the Academy’s academic calendar, but has also been able to pool resources together, after years of silence and anomalies, provides the third reason that marks the 2018 P.O.P as noteworthy and felicitous. Staff, Cadets and members of the Host Communities who have been around in the past years must certainly have wondered who will restore the lost tradition of P.O.P in the Academy and when next such will become a reality. Today, their fears have been allayed by the fresh breeze of sweeping changes  courtesy of the purpose-driven and result-oriented leadership and team work mentality that Commodore Duja Effedua has brought into the narratives of the Academy. We therefore can confidently say that, with these developments, and the more which are to come beyond the Passing-Out-Parade, the Academy is already experiencing a new dawn in its fluctuated history of growth.

    Perhaps the fourth and final reason the Passing-Out-Parade of 2018 is outstanding in the context of the foregoing is the possibility that it will silence or give opportunities to hard-line critics, who once felt that nothing was working in the institution, to see and testify that the Academy is truly on a restructuring and repositioning cause, a convincing and potent reason they should reconsider their views, attitude and hope in the capacity of the present Management to holistically transform the Academy with their genuine support and contributions.

    This brings to mind the grand objective of the founding fathers of the Academy. Established approximately 41 years ago in 1977 under the Federal Executive Council No; EC (77) 172 as a pioneer maritime institution in Nigeria, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, which birthed with the name Nautical College of Nigeria, had come as a conscious attempt to fill the country’s specific and diverse maritime needs. Although it assumed its present name in 1988 following the promulgation of Decree No. 16 of 1988 that also expanded its scope, the nut-shell integrated mandate of the Academy was (and still is) educating and training shipboard officers, ratings and shore-based management personnel, or more elaborately, the training of all levels and categories of personnel for all facets of the widely untapped and ever expanding Nigerian maritime industry. The first batch of Cadets of the institution graduated in 1983. Thereafter, hundreds of thousands have been trained as ready products in high demands.

    In the contemplative consideration of the above, the Passing-Out-Parade therefore must not easily be dismissed as a mere ritual or formality, but an occasion for careful all-around review and preview of individual goals and corporate objectives of having young and promising Nigerians trained within a closely monitored and regimented space for professionalism. To the graduating Cadets, the joyous occasion of their passing-out-parade is reminiscent of the many hurdles they had scaled during their training and the challenges that lie ahead as they prepare to bring their professionalism into solving the composite needs of the subsector. To the continuing and prospective Cadets, the P.O.P event comes both as redemption of hope and a challenge for them to be serious with their studies.

    It cannot be denied that the Maritime Academy has been perplexed with a number of challenges over the years, some of which include inadequate number of professional teaching staff, lack of modern equipment or teaching facilities, unavailability of vessels for mandatory sea-time exposure for Cadets, over-bloated number of non-qualified and non-teaching staff, poor funding and welfare packages for staff, etc.

    One index that influences the renown and competiveness of a Maritime institution in global reckoning is her participation, productivity and general contribution to the national, regional and international Maritime Industry. While the leadership of Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua has demonstrated convincing ability to reposition the Academy for global competiveness as evidenced in what he has achieved in barely a year, it still remains a great challenge on the part of Federal Government and relevant Stakeholders to give prompt and practical attention to the enumerated areas of needs.

    Bravo to the graduating Cadets!

    • Okpo is an Uyo-based Journalist, Maritime Observer and Public Affairs Analyst.

     

  • Edo remodels 20 Primary Health Centres

    As part of plans to boost health care delivery in the state under its Healthcare Improvement Programme (Edo-HIP), the Edo State Government has remodelled 20 primary health care centres across the state. The 20 remodelled PHCs undid the Edo-HIP is the first step towards ensuring that 200 PHCs are built in the 192 wards in the state.

    Areas where PHCs are receiving facelifts are Sasaro Primary Healthcare Centre in Akoko Edo Local Government Area; Uwelu PHC, in Egor LGA; Ugbekpe PHC in Etsako Central LGA; Ewoyi PHC in Esan North East LGA; Ukpenu PHC in Esan West LGA; Eguare PHC in Igueben LGA; Ofumengbein PHC in Ovia South West LGA and Iyakhara PHC in Owan East LGA amongst others.

    The renovated health centres are equipped with solar-powered electricity, boreholes and laboratories to ensure rural dwellers have access to quality healthcare. To boost morale of the health workers ahead of the opening of the renovated health centres, the state government has pencilled 1,700 health workers to be trained under the Edo-HIP. Already, 174 health workers have been trained.

    Speaking while inspecting progress work at the health centres, Governor Godwin Obaseki explained that his administration focused on improving primary health care in the state is to train and retrain health workers for effective management of the health care system.

    Governor Obaseki stated that the Edo-HIP makes provision for rehabilitating the physical infrastructure in the PHCs through which electricity and water supply will be provided including the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) tools to capture patients’ data as well as a system to administer drugs and bill patients.

    Obaseki said his administration’s plan also include putting in place an all-encompassing health insurance programme to improve access to affordable health care in the rural areas.

    He assured that quality healthcare services would get to the doorsteps of all Edo residents no matter how far flung their locations to the urban areas are.

    His words, “We intend to have at least one primary health care center in each local government area which will help us study the workability of the programme before rolling out the proposed 200 primary health care centres across the state. When that is achieved, it means we will have one primary healthcare centre per ward.

    “Our target is to have 500 functional primary healthcare centres at the end of our administration that will be fitted with e-patient software, reliable sources of power and water, drugs, computers and furniture amongst other facilities.”

    “We have a bill before Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), which will soon be passed into law to ensure rural people buy into our health insurance scheme. A team has been set up to work out the operational modalities for the programme.

    “The Edo-HIP is an extensive programme to revamp Primary Health Care across the state with a goal to locate at least one functional PHC center in each ward in the state, with the target set at 200 PHCs.

    Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Mrs. Mbarie Imuwahen, said the plan is to make the PHC conducive for the people through the proviso. Of necessary infrastructure to improve the quality of service.

    According to her, “Work is ongoing in all the 20 pilot PHC centers. We have competed work on the PHC centers in Warake, Ofumwegbe, Uwelu, Ugbeke and Ukpenu, all in different LGAs. We have finished installation of the solar power system in Uwelu, Warake and Ofumwegbe PHCs. This will ensure that those working in the PHC have regular power to work. This is actually renovation work. We are fencing the premises, renovating failing structures and also providing the much-needed materials to boost the quality of healthcare.”

    Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health Centers, Dr. Aanu Fakunle, explained that the Edo-HIP includes various interventions targeted at the rehabilitation work at the PHCs to meet NPHCDA infrastructural standards for primary healthcare delivery; Provision of essential drugs and medical appliances in the PHC and provision of amenities such as 24-hours power and potable water supply.

    She said the objectives are to improve population health status and wellbeing of the good people of Edo State by improving access to, efficiency, and quality primary health care services in all centers.

  • A boost for construction in Niger Delta coastal communities

    The conference hall of Swiss Spirit Hotel on Ken Saro-Wiwa (formerly Stadium) Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State was full with distributors, block makers and other eminent personalities on October 23 this year for the unveiling of BlocMaster cement, described as the king of cement, by Dangote Cement PLC.

    The distributors and block makers, consisting of men and women, came from the 23 local government areas of Rivers state and adjoining states in the Niger Delta, with some of the persons in attendance actually making blocks in the last 51 years, thereby speaking authoritatively from experience, at the colourful event, which was spiced up with cultural displays.

    The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Cement PLC, Mr. Joe Makoju, noted that the event was about the launch of Dangote BlocMaster’s premium high strength Portland Limestone Cement, which he revealed was ideal for all block and high-grade concrete applications.

    Makoju, who was represented by the company’s Group Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Oare Ojeikere, said: “The cement offers the best value for money, by far. It is up to 50 per cent stronger, after one day, thereby increasing the speed at which block makers can meet customers’ demands, as the blocks will be ready for sale faster. It is the cement of choice for all major construction projects.

    “It is currently the highest grade bagged cement in Nigeria. The Dangote BlocMaster 42.5R high-grade cement is the strongest bagged cement product, currently in the Nigerian market. It has comparatively lower heat of hydration, thereby reducing the risk of cracking in large concrete pours, due to its lower peak temperatures at all ages.

    “The higher the grade of cement, the tougher the concrete application that you can apply it to. 42.5R cement is more useful for heavy-duty concrete applications, for example high-rise foundations and structures, heavy-duty industrial floors, precast beams and slabs, bridges and dams, among others.

    “Dangote BlocMaster cement is particularly useful for construction works in swampy areas and land reclamation, as well as laying foundations in the riverine communities of the Niger Delta. The cement becomes a much better offering to use. In the coastal communities of the Niger Delta, cement that is slightly stronger is required, considering the swampy terrain. There is higher Sulphur content in the riverine area and higher grades of cement tend to work much better in those areas. There will be much better results, using Dangote BlocMaster cement in the coastal communities of the Niger Delta.

    “Dangote BlocMaster cement has been tested and proven to provide the best performance for all concrete applications that require rapid early strength, higher final comprehensive strength and fast setting. It outperforms all other bagged cement products in Nigeria.”

    The company’s group managing director also revealed that pricing of cement was always based on the cost of the product and the cost of shipping it into the market, stressing that Dangote decided to have a uniform cement price across Nigeria, so that nobody is disadvantaged.

    Makoju said: “Transport cost (of cement) is actually high. We are impressed by the Federal Government’s plan to invest in infrastructure, especially rail. That is a very good sign. We are also pushing for concrete road application. Right now, we are championing it across Nigeria. There are a few of them in Lagos and we are having it in other states on Nigeria. Good and strong concrete roads will ultimately help to bring down the cost of cement.

    “Twenty six thousand retail outlets of cement across Nigeria are actively supported by Dangote, through the provision of tables, chairs and signage. We are also empowering block makers and retailers of Dangote cement through promotions, leading to giving them containers and free cement. We are always in touch with our different constituents.”

    In his goodwill message, the paramount ruler of Ukwuaukwu-Ututu in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, Eze Daniel Kalu Okore, who started making blocks in 1967 in Port Harcourt, before the civil war and continued after the war, stated that the unveiled BlocMaster cement is the best in the market, having used it on many occasions.

    While also speaking, the branch Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Highway and Transport Engineers, Francis Oriake, who is a specialist in construction of roads for over 35 years, described the new cement as good, strong and reliable, with value for money and that it was the cement to go for, for construction of roads, while also recommending it to all builders, other construction experts and block makers.

    A block maker, Ike Benedict, said: “Dangote BlocMaster cement dries faster. I have used it and it is the best and the king of cement.”

    In his remarks, Lucky Uche, an engineer, requested the reduction in the price of the Dangote cement from the current N2,500 per bag, for all Nigerians to be able to afford it, thereby becoming homeowners.

    Dangote cement’s Regional Sales Director, Johnson Olaniyi, while later speaking with reporters, noted that the BlocMaster cement had been adding value to block-making and construction works, stressing that the new product would meet the expectations of today and tomorrow.

    The cement giant’s Regional Director, Southsouth, George Okoro, revealed that 75 per cent of the persons in attendance at the launch were block makers, with the remaining 25 per cent being distributors of BlocMaster.

    Okoro stated that the endorsements of BlocMaster cement by the persons of honour at the elaborate event came from their hearts, while assuring that the high quality of the product would be sustained and noted that Dangote cement is employing and empowering many Nigerians.

    Indigenes and residents of the coastal communities of the Niger Delta need not worry again about construction projects in their areas, especially with the availability of stronger and more reliable Dangote’s BlocMaster cement, which will put an end to collapse of structures in the riverine communities with swampy terrain.

  • Akwa Ibom: Udom’s service to God and humanity

    When Udom Emmanuel took the oath of office as Akwa Ibom State Governor on May 29, 2015, he knew that he was not just carrying out a ceremonial ritual that the occasion demanded. He fully understood the political, moral, social and spiritual responsibilities resting on his shoulders. He was doing what the occasion demanded, all right. But he was also making a solemn pledge to his creator that he would deliver on what he had promised to do for the people of the state if they gave him their mandate. They had fulfilled their part of by giving him their mandate and so the time had come for him to begin the process of fulfilling his promises to them.

    The governor has shown these past three and half years that he is not the conventional politician who would discard the oath of office the moment he leaves the inauguration grounds, as many are wont to do. He has, in words and deeds, remained guided by that oath. And this is perhaps the reason he soon found himself on a collision course with those who expected him to be the ‘normal politician’ – those who sold him to the people of the state as the best material to govern them, but who would, along the line, realize they made a ‘mistake’ in their choice, completely ignoring God’s prerogative in installing leaders as it pleases Him.

    Akwa Ibom is a state that occupies a special place in God’s heart. The full name of the state (Akwa Abasi Ibom, meaning Almighty God), did not come by happenstance. Those who gave the state that name knew that they were invoking God into its affairs, and that He would always have a hand in what transpires in the state at all times. And what better choice as governor at a time likes this than a man with deep religious convictions and obeisance to God in all his actions!

    Udom has remained committed to God and the people of the state since assuming the reins of government. To God, he has not wavered in his religious obligations by allowing his political position to take the better part of him and wearing a toga that is different from a man of faith and a church elder that he was before he became governor. Surely, the former cannot get subsumed by the latter.

    If outward commitment to carrying out religious obligations are a measure of one’s religiosity, then Udom hasn’t been found wanting, as he is said not to miss his regular Sunday services, except when the demands of office do not permit him the time to do so.

    Recall that about one and half years after assuming office, the governor escaped death right inside a place of worship, when a new church building he went to inaugurate collapsed, killing quite a good number of worshipers. His plan to build a 10, 000 capacity church building is in line with his effort to keep the state on the religious path that has enabled it to triumph in the face of numerous challenges, some of which have been created by its leaders.

    In 1983, while speaking at his valedictory church service at Qua Iboe Church, Edgerly Road, in Calabar, the late Dr. Clement Isong, who was about to bow out as governor of the then Cross River State, had said the greatest lesson he learnt during his four-year tenure as governor was that to be a successful politician in Nigeria, one must be able to call black white, and call white black. He vowed never to advise any of his children to go into politics in Nigeria. Isong was too decent, polished and refined a man to have dabbled into politics in the first place.

    Udom has not been a ‘successful’ Nigerian politician, in the late Dr. Isong’s understanding. This is because he does not know how to call black white, or call white black. It is even more so because his quiet, calm and warm disposition is at variance with what the average Nigerian politician is known to be – all noise but little action. His has been little noise but more action.

    The governor’s commitment to the people of the state has seen him execute projects that have direct impact on their lives. Perhaps the reason not much seems to be heard about his achievements outside the state is that they haven’t been accompanied by the propaganda that has become the hallmark of performance, especially at state and federal levels. But the people of the state know the truth. They know that Udom is working. They also know that, in contrast, some of the so-called legacy projects that were supposed to have been executed with much fanfare and propaganda, which have left the state mired in huge debts, were nothing but a scam that put the state’s money in the pocket of an individual, as it has emerged.

    Udom’s tenure has been a test of his commitment to the two ‘constituencies’ that really matter – God and the people of the state. In another six months or so, these two constituencies will decide whether or not he has remained true to the oath he took in his first coming. They are the ones that will judge him based on his performance so far. Thankfully, the governor knows this quite well, the reason he has remained focused on delivering on his promises.

    Let nobody imagine that they hold the key to the governor’s second term in office. Akwa Ibom is not a state where an individual assumes the position of an emperor because he had the good fortune of holding office, which allowed him unfettered access to the resources of the state – a state where people hold public office at the pleasure of one individual.

    We have seen it happen in other states, where somebody plays God, turning a deaf ear to pleas to allow a governor go for a second time as if he has the power of life and death. Akwa Ibom is not that state.

     

    • Etim, a retired public servant, lives in Lagos

     

  • Law school: Bayelsa graduates cry to Dickson for help

    About 28 law graduates from Bayelsa State are at the verge of missing their enrollments into the Nigerian Law School (NLS). They can’t afford the school fees.

    Having struggled and pummeled themselves through schools, their dreams of practising law are fast ebbing away. The Ijaw graduates know that without passing through the NLS for the compulsory one-year legal education, they will not be called to the bar and will be debarred from practising law.

    But where will they get the N295,000 school fees required from each graduate for enrollment into the school? They are indigent and lack the ability to cough up such amount of money before November 12, 2018 when the school is expected to resume.

    Their pathetic situations are further compounded by the flood disaster that displaced most of them. Most of them are still living in Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps. Their parents and relations are also helpless. The flood destroyed their means of livelihood.

    Following their inability to realise their school fees, the graduates are begging their state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson to come to their aid. They have confidence that Dickson will restore their dreams. Their governor is a lawyer by profession. Besides, Dickson has attached premium on education.

    In fact, their last hope is predicated on Dickson’s giant strides in the sector through capacity building and massive construction of academic infrastructures. They believe that the governor will not hear their genuine cries and ignore them.

    One of the indigent graduates, Efiri Charles Williams, graduated from the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU). He hails from Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state. He said it would take them extra five years to get fresh enrollments into the law school if they missed this opportunity.

    He said: “I and so many other law graduates have been plagued by various challenges of which the most pressing of them is the tuition fees for the Nigerian law school which cost N295, 000.

    “We all belong to the Bayelsa State Law Graduates Forum (BALAGRAF). It was established  to ameliorate our plight. We are begging our governor to come to our rescue. As it is now BALAGRAF has 67 members of which 28 of them may miss out on the programme, I inclusive, as a result of financial constraint.

    “We have written to the amiable governor and we believe that he will not abandon us in this time of our need, Inclusive as well as well-meaning Bayelsan. His government has time and again professed its love for education.

    “We want to be good ambassadors of our state. We refuse to pick up  arms and shun cultism and every other forms of social vices. We want to serve as role models for the younger ones and as well help the government build a prosperous Bayelsa.

    “We plead with our talk na do governor to extend the same hand of love and encouragement to us. We beg him to give us a sense of belonging by reassuring us that we are from a state that is responsive and sensitive to the plights of the youths”.

    Another graduate of NDU, John Chris, said only the governor would save them. He noted that Dickson is a lover of education and the youths adding that the governor would not look the other way amidst their shattering dreams.

    “We are soliciting the financial assistance of the state government. Our governor is a leader, who knows the best way to assist his people. He loves education and we know he won’t allow us miss our slot in law school. Which commences in November”,

    Also, Itoko Tonye, a graduate of the Delta State University (DELSU), said: “I am appealing to the Bayelsa State government to help us by giving us subvention because law school operates a quota system with its admission.

    “If for any reason one fails to go this year, then that person must wait for five years to go because of the quota system. This can work undue hardship on the individuals”.

    In his lamentation, Promise Wayi Friday, a graduate of the University of Benin, said he had done everything possible to realise N295,000 to no avail. He said he was only able to realise N150,000 and appealed to the government to come to its aid.

    Also, Orugbani Distinction, who hails from Zarama in Yenagoa Local Government Area  said he was sacred of missing his enrollment.

    He said: “I am appealing to the state government because I am a widower. I recently gained admission into the Nigerian law school but I’m afraid I might miss out on my admission because I do not have ¦ 295,000 to pay as tuition fee. I have lost so much due to this flood and currently residing at the IDP camp in igbogene”.

    Bayelsa State Law Graduates Forum (BSLGF), which brought the plight of the indigent students to the public domain, said only the state government would save its members.

    The President of the group, Mr. Aluzu Augustine, said they had written a letter to the State Governor, Dickson, pleading for his urgent intervention to help in offsetting the fees before the November 12, 2018 deadline.

    He said: “The Nigerian law school which will resume academic activities on 12 November, 2018 will run a compulsory one year law programme which will qualify successful students to be called into the Nigerian Bar.

    “The Bayelsa State Law Graduates Forum is calling on the state government and well-meaning individuals to come to the financial aid of 28 of its indigent members who have been shortlisted for a one year compulsory academic programme at the Nigerian Law School.

    “The Forum is home to law graduates from Bayelsa state with 67 of its members being enlisted for admission into the Nigerian Law School.

    “Some of our members risk losing out on their admission due to inability to afford the school’s tuition fee this year. The school fee is ¦ 295,000.00 per person.

    “We have already written series of letters to the state government appealing for subvention.

    “The plea is for the government of Bayelsa state to come to the financial aid of these graduates who have currently lost so much due to the ravaging flood in Bayelsa state by providing them with law school subvention.

    “The subvention will also ameliorate the financial difficulties of our parents who are mostly civil servants and pensioners in providing for us throughout our undergraduate days in the university.

    “The actual number of those affected by lack of funds was 33. However, it was Niger Delta University Alumni Association which assisted 5 of our members in completing their various tuition fee with a kind donation of ¦ 100,000.00.

    “Having raised part of the money, the rest of our members would have taken advantage of the Bayelsa state student’s loan board but to our dismay, the board is yet to be fully inaugurated by His Excellency.”

    Also speaking, the President of National Association of Bayelsa State Law Students (NABSLS), Smith Livinus-Agala, said that his group took steps to avoid the situation by writing to appropriate government quarters. He, however, said the efforts had not yielded any positive results.

    He described the situation as urgent and appealed to Dickson to show love to the students following his administration’s policies on education.

    Livinus-Agala said:  “We are earnestly pleading with the state government to provide subvention for law school students of Bayelsa state extraction.

    “According to our records, 28 law graduates may miss out on their law school admission if something urgent is not done to provide them with subvention”.