The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Eno okays establishment of 10 dialysis centres

    Eno okays establishment of 10 dialysis centres

    • RCCG donates facility

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has approved the establishment of 10 dialysis centres in each of the federal constituencies in the state

     The governor has directed the recruitment and training of professionals to meet the manpower needs of the centres, which are to be fully operational by next June.

     He spoke yesterday at the Immanuel General Hospital, Eket, where he inaugurated Enoch and Folu Adeboye Dialysis Centre.

     The centre was donated by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

     Eno ordered the deployment of personnel from the state hospitals in the dialysis centre to ensure the facility is not underutilised due to lack of personnel.

     “I have directed the Head of Civil Service to work with the Ministry of Health and the Civil Service Commission to absorb them as quickly as possible so that we can have permanent workers here. We don’t want to have equipment here, yet we don’t have the manpower to operate them,” he said.

     The governor made a case for aggressive sensitisation on kidney related ailments and measures to checkmate their occurrence.

     He directed that the Ministry of Health should collaborate with the Ministry of Information and Office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor to undertake the sensitisation.

    Read Also: Tinubu committed to improving lives of vulnerable communities – Shettima

     Eno extolled the gesture of RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and wife, Folu, in partnering government through the church’s humanitarian arm, ‘His Love Foundation’, to provide medical services for the people, especially those plagued by kidney diseases.

     RCCG Intercontinental Overseer, Christian Social Responsibility, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, speaking on behalf of the church, said RCCG, driven by passion for humanity and the need to bring help to people afflicted by kidney diseases, had through “His Love Foundation”, set up 12 dialysis centres across Nigeria and was pleased to set the 13th in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, among other interventions.

     Health Commissioner Prof. Augustine Umoh, expatiating on the imperative of the intervention, said dialysis was one of the best ways of managing kidney failure and lauded the state government-RCCG partnership.

     He affirmed the delivery of three dialysis machines, with accessories, by the church to the centre.

  • Stakeholders fume over Ndiomu’s ‘inefficiency’, plan protest 

    Stakeholders fume over Ndiomu’s ‘inefficiency’, plan protest 

    Protest for the sack of the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj.-Gen Barry Tariye Ndiomu (Rtd), is imminent, following alleged reports of “inefficiency” by the PAP boss.

     Stakeholders under the auspices of Niger Delta Emancipators gave the hint in a statement yesterday by its President, Opuwei Ogelekekeme, in Warri, Delta State.

     Ogelekekeme said the group and other critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta would storm Abuja soon to protest Ndiomu’s continuous stay in office and alleged failure in “reintegrating freedom fighters into the society and in the smooth operation of the Amnesty programme.”

     The group had called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to remove Ndiomu for a more capable hand who understands the struggle of stakeholders.

     It stated that “the prevailing peace in the region appears threatened by complaints not only of corruption but also of Major-Gen. Ndiomu’s oversight of the amnesty programme’s fundamental goals.” 

    It was gathered that hundreds of ex-agitators enrolled in the second phase of the Amnesty programme convened in Bomadi, Bomadi Local Government to make resolutions on the next line of action to take concerning the developers.

     Operating under the umbrella of the ‘Second Phase General,’ this group had issued a 21-day ultimatum for Ndiomu to step down, otherwise he would face the discontent of those who had borne the brunt of ensuring peace, tranquility and development in the region, The Nation learnt.

     According to a source, the ex-militants contemplated two options, “to advocate an overhaul of the Presidential Amnesty Programme by removing Ndiomu, whom they accuse of following the path set by the past administration in terminating the programme or to return to the creeks where they belong.”

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     A stakeholder and Speaker of the Ijaw Mobile Parliament, Kingsley Warekuromor, said if Ndiomu was indeed following the past administration’s approach to ending the PAP, “it indicates lack of goodwill toward President Tinubu and potentially inciting unrest in the region”.

     Ezonfade Otus-Kelly, an Ijaw Youth Council leader from Seimbiiri clan in Delta State, Western Zone, stressed the importance of reintegrating the ex-agitators.

     Tabai England and Timibrabo Tevin of the Ijaw Patriotic Group, in their assessment of the ex-agitators’ assembly, urged President Tinubu to take actions by appointing a qualified leader for the Amnesty Office.

     They said Ndiomu not only failed to “comprehend the genuine grievances of these agitators”, but has also become “disconnected” from the reality of effectively managing the programme.

    These developments are behind the ex-agitators’ resolve to lead a protest, expressing their dissent by vowing to “dance naked in the streets of Abuja after the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum for Ndiomu’s resignation or replacement.”

  • Abia govt shuts 197 ‘substandard’ private schools 

    Abia govt shuts 197 ‘substandard’ private schools 

    Abia State Government has shut 197 ‘substandard’ private schools as part of its efforts to reform the education sector.

     Information and Culture Commissioner Okey Kanu said this when he addressed reporters at the Government House, Umuahia on the outcome of yesterday’s state Executive Council meeting.

     He said about 900 private schools had been inspected in the ongoing inspection of private schools.

     Kanu said the exercise followed government’s resolve to improve the standard of education.

     He also spoke on government’s plan to fix internal roads in the major cities, saying Ministry of Works had been directed to undertake the task.

     Commissioner for Health Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo said over 8,000 people had received free medicare under the free medical services offered by the government.

    Read Also: Tinubu committed to improving lives of vulnerable communities – Shettima

     She said government had begun to retrofit Cottage Hospital in Aba, to enhance its capacity, adding that it would soon be reopened.

     Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner Uzo Nwachukwu said government had appointed Transition Committee (TC)  chairmen, deputy chairmen and councillors for the 17 local governments.

     He said individuals with the capacity to deliver the rebuilding agenda of the current administration were selected to do the job.

     Nwachukwu said TC members were entitled to statutory six months tenure and that by reviewing the law, their tenure could be extended.

  • Dietary re-evaluation will reduce diabetes mortality rate, says Soludo

    Dietary re-evaluation will reduce diabetes mortality rate, says Soludo

    Wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has called for re-evaluation of dietary lifestyle and physical habits, following growing mortalities resulting from diabetes.

     Mrs. Soludo, who made this known in a statement to mark 2023 World Diabetes Day in Awka yesterday, canvassed for healthy consumption culture, physical exercise and maintenance of right attitude to reduce body weight.

     She referred to the 2021 report by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) that over 537 million adults globally, representing one in every 10, between 20 to 79 years age bracket, were living with diabetes, with an estimation that the number could rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045.

     The governor’s wife, founder of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), ‘Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo’, said part of the NGO’s vision remained preaching healthy lifestyle as an important factor to fight deadly diseases such as diabetes.

     Reiterating her calls on residents to be mindful of what they consumed, Mrs. Soludo noted that although food remained the first and major medicine against most killer diseases, making the wrong choice of it could be detrimental to health.

    Read Also: 40% IGR deduction: Burden will be passed to parents, colleges of education union warns FG

     “Understanding the nature of the disease is an important step to managing and preventing it. Routine medical checks and early diagnosis are key to managing diabetes,” she stressed.

     Soludo’s wife urged parents to watch the type of food available for their children, and to stick to diets that could boost their immune system, in view of global reports of more than 1.2 million children and adolescents between ages of 0 to 19 living with type one diabetes.

     She also enjoined households to take extra steps towards getting quality health care by enrolling in the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme, promising the current administration’s continued commitment to enacting health policies beneficial to residents.

  • ‘Family endorsement of candidate not criterion’

    ‘Family endorsement of candidate not criterion’

    • From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

    An aspirant contesting for the position of President General of Evwreni Clan Improvement Union (ECIU) in Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State, Chief Kenneth Ukpebitere, has said family endorsement of a candidate is not a criterion for the election.

     Ukpebitere, who made this known in a statement while reacting to a report credited to the head of the Ukpebitere dynasty, Prince Clement Ukpebitere, described the report as mere propaganda to score cheap popularity in Evwreni kingdom with four communities, namely Uneni, Okpahwaz, Urevwe and Unenurhie.

    Read Also: Tinubu committed to improving lives of vulnerable communities – Shettima

     Kenneth, who said he hailed from Urevwe community, slammed Clement and others for allowing themselves to be used by mischief makers in the kingdom to distort facts over Saturday’s forthcoming election into the ECIU national executive committee.

     He said: “To contest for any position in ECIU, you need not be endorsed by your family. Once you are a member of Evwreni Clan Improvement Union, you are free to contest for any position. It is the delegates who will vote for the rightful candidate.”

  • No student died in weekend’s stampede at UNICAL, says varsity

    No student died in weekend’s stampede at UNICAL, says varsity

    Director of the Center for General Studies, University of Calabar, Prof. Takim Asu Ojua, has debunked reports that students died in a stampede that happened during a CBT examination.

    Prof. Ojua also confirmed that all 21 students taken to two different hospitals have been stabilised, with majority of them discharged and returned home.

    According to a statement by Prof. Ojua, the examination of November 11 started smoothly, with the third batch almost finishing, before some students, who either missed the exams, were not scheduled to write in the morning, or were not even part of the examination, became unruly, uncontrollable, impatient, defiant, and tried to break into the venue forcefully.

    He added: “As a result of an unprecedented surge by a mass of students, the gate leading to the venue of the CBT Center was pushed down, causing a stampede. Some members of staff and students salvaged the situation and rushed the casualties to the University Medical Center and the Teaching Hospital.

    “14 students were rushed to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, and seven were taken to the Medical Center for emergency treatment. And, before 5pm, more than 10 were discharged and taken home, remaining just a few who are to be further examined, though they are fully stabilised and recuperated.”

    Prof. Ojua further explained that the fully equipped CBT Center has the capacity to conduct larger examinations such as the last UTME (Jamb) which had a far higher number of students than those sitting for Gss Exams.

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    “The examination was scheduled in batches, with specific faculties scheduled to write on stipulated time and dates. Unfortunately, some students refused to abide by the timetable, and decided to gate-crash, resulting in the avoidable incident.

    “The essence of the introduction of the GSS CBT exams is to ensure fast service delivery, easy access to examination and results, and to reduce the stress on students during examination periods.

     Stories and narratives making rounds on social media about the number of casualties, deaths, lack of venues and accommodation for the exams, insufficient computers etc, are untrue and does not reflect the situation on ground, considering the fact that GSS CBT examination has been ongoing since 2020.

    “The Management and staff of the Center regrets this ugly incident, which was avoidable, had the students kept to the scheduled timetable, not destroy the canopies and maintained the queues as instructed,” he added.

    Prof. Ojua added that the exams has been postponed until further notice, and that students were free to travel back home.

  • ‘Discontentment, complexes fuelling rivalry among health professionals’

    ‘Discontentment, complexes fuelling rivalry among health professionals’

    Medical and health professionals have identified discontentment, complexes and unequal remuneration among healthcare professionals as major factors fuelling rivalry among health workers and dysfunctionality of healthcare system in the country.

    Speaking during a summit by the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Anambra State, themed ‘Professional Synergy in Healthcare Provision; A Panacea for Quality and Stable Health’, the professionals canvassed for synergy and tolerance as solution to rivalry in the health sector.

    One of the discussants and National President of Nigeria Academy of Neurological Surgeons, Prof. Jude-Kennedy Emejulu, regretted that the identified negative tendencies have contributed to growing mortality rate in the country.

    He said: “The root of rivalry among professionals is pecuniary. Besides is the creation of trade unions where people seek for relevance. Social strife is another factor. You see antagonisms and industrial unrests; petitions and pull –him-down syndrome

    “More worrisome is the issue of complexes. It takes an inferior mind to feel inferiority complex, and to begin to advocate superiority complex. If you’re comfortable where you are, you don’t need to make too much noise.”

    Emejuru proffered job description, massive advocacy among trainees and students, seeking guidance from other climes and legislative discipline to curtail prevalent rascality among professional bodies as solutions to rivalry among health workers.

    “Once we blunder in this profession, lives are lost, quite unlike most other professions. The mortality rate is high, reason we need to be serious with the job God has anointed us to do. Above all is contentment which is a godly virtue. If you don’t have it, you can’t be satisfied, regardless of your position. No matter where you are, people will come looking for you, so long as you have skills, service or product you’re marketing,” he added.

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    Another discussant, Pharmacist Josephat Obasi, underscored the place of communication, teamwork and synergy in improving healthcare and reducing mortality rates associated with poor inter-professional collaboration.

    APBN National President Manason Rubainu represented by Engr. Sunday Ali, said addressing challenges in healthcare system, such as professional participation, practices and ethical conduct were key to sustainable development of health sector.

    Commissioner for Housing Paul Onyeaka advised professionals to avoid imposing negative status on themselves, urging them to improve on their image and believe in their distinguishing qualities.

    “As a government, we’re not only committed to ensuring unity and equal treatment to all, but looking for those with integrity, honestly, competence and capacity to ensure speed,” he added.

    State Chairman of APBN who doubles as State Director, National Population Commission (NPC), Dr. Joachim Ulasi, described the theme as apt and chosen to address professional quackery among health workers.

    “The APBN comprises 30 bodies with six sectors. For past years, we’ve been discussing topics around building collapse. This year we decided to delve into health to ensure proper synergy among health workers,” he said.

  • My role is complimentary, says Mrs. Otu

    My role is complimentary, says Mrs. Otu

    • Governor’s wife solicits media support for husband

    Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Rev. Mrs. Eyoawan Otu, has described her role as complimentary in helping her husband succeed in his mandate. According to her, she prefers staying off media interviews and highlights because she is not the governor.

    Mrs. Otu spoke in Calabar when she hosted leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by the Chairman, Comrade Nsa Gill. She noted that she initiated a solemn assembly to pray for the peace, restoration and total recovery of the state having lost a lot over the years, given to many reasons, including the sad ENDSARS insurgencies of 2000.

    Mrs. Otu insisted she enjoys remaining private but providence has put her in the position to be supportive to her husband who is the governor. She solicited good representation and reportage of government programmes because ‘the governor is committed to fulfilling the promises made to the people’.

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    Gill said the union came to build a working relationship with the Office of the wife of the governor because it has recorded success in the numerous programmess initiated for the wellbeing and welfare of the les-privileged.

    He noted the free medical outreach to some communities, outreach for expectant and nursing mothers, as well as back to school programmes were students in some communities were supported with new pairs of uniform, school bags and books.

    The NUJ also congratulated the governor’s wife on her recent investiture as a champion in nutrition advocacy and breastfeeding.

  • Monarch seeks action on Delta’s airport, infrastructure

    Monarch seeks action on Delta’s airport, infrastructure

    The Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Delta State, Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, has decried infrastructure deficits across the state, including Osubi Airstrip, ports, and roads, among others.

    He called on President Bola Tinubu to take swift action.

    Sideso spoke at a reception in honour of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo (SAN), at his palace.

    Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Areas); former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan; chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), federal and state government functionaries, and captains of industries, including aviation stakeholders, were among those who graced the event.

    The traditional thanked President Tinubu for Keyamo’s ‘back-to-back appointment as Minister’, describing it as a ‘personal triumph’. He, however, noted that Urhobo nation, and Deltans at large, are expectant of the Tinubu-led government to fix the dire state of infrastructure in the state to improve the people’s economic fortunes.

    He said: “We seek revitalisation and upgrade of the Osubi Airport to a world class airport; revitalisation and revamping of the NPA ports at Warri, Sapele and Koko, to accommodate bigger vessels; release and reversion of the portion of our land which was acquired for the Army’s use as barracks which are now being sold to private developers.”

    The monarch also appealed for full implementation of the Act establishing the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) to enable adequate funding of the institution, as well as reconstruction of the failed Warri-Effurun-Sapele-Benin Road and the Orerokpe-Eku-Abraka-Agbor roads which have become ‘an embarrassment to the Niger Delta’.

    Sideso urged Keyamo to ensure completion of federal projects he attracted to the area during the past administration, saying ‘this time around, the entire Urhobo nation are eager to see what you will do to Osubi Airport’.

    Keyamo promised to carry the king’s requests to the President, and also affirmed that his return as Minister, first in the history of Delta State, was ‘by the grace of God Almighty’ and not because he is ‘exceptional’.

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    “Once God does that for you, you should realise that he’s not doing it for you. He’s actually doing it for the people you represent. And so this office is one that belongs to all, not myself. So I feel the weight of expectations on my shoulders. I see my people, the Urhobo people, the Niger Delta people.

    “Perhaps we have suffered for so long in so many areas, and it is time that we begin to push our sons and daughters to very prominent positions to speak up and speak out on our behalf,” he added.

    Keyamo acknowledged the need to do something about the Osubi Airport and others linking the Southsouth, saying ‘we have concern for almost all the airports in the country, especially the ones that have very poor infrastructure in terms of navigational equipment and all others. We are concerned about all of them and we shall give equal attention to all’.

    Governor Oborevwori described Keyamo as a man who had made his mark before joining the political terrain, stressing that ‘politics didn’t make him’.

    He urged the minister to not leave the state behind in whatever is due it, adding that “Delta is proud of your achievements, as well as the fact that you have been selected by our president to represent us at the Federal level. And we are not in doubt that you are going to give us a very worthy representation” he added.

  • ‘We’ll replicate Soludo’s Healthy Living Project in Anambra communities’

    ‘We’ll replicate Soludo’s Healthy Living Project in Anambra communities’

    • From Awesome Ekene

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said it will replicate the Healthy Living pet project in the 179 communities of Anambra State.

    The Healthy Living is a pet project of the governor’s wife, Dr. Nonye Soludo.

    State Coordinator, Mrs. Blessing Iruma, stated this at a symposium, Healthy Living Advocacy, organised by the Anambra State Association of Town Union (ASATU) Youth Secretariat Hall, Government House, Awka.

    Mrs. Iruma, represented by Assistant Director of Information, Emeka Ugwu, said the project is not only noble, ‘but has a semblance of NYSC’s Health Initiative for rural dwellers and should be adopted by NYSC and replicated in all the 179 communities in the state’.

    According to her, the scheme has enough corps doctors, pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists and other paramedics to carry out the assignment.

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    She said: “The areas of coverage include free sensitisation campaigns, medical checks, counselling, diagnosis, referral and prescription. Any community that invites the NYSC for the medical outreach is expected to source for drugs for use on that day.”

    Mrs. Iruma called on ASATU Youths to sensitise their communities on NYSC collaboration with Mrs. Soludo, and invite NYSC to their communities to assist rural dwellers have healthy living lifestyle.