In Rivers , US-based health mission tackles glaucoma, cataract

  *Amaechi procures over N1bn HIV/AIDS drugs

Dr Tosin Smith examining an eye patient while Rivers State Commissioner for Health,   Dr Sampson Parker looks on at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt, venue of the health mission

 

 

HEALTHCARE in Rivers State has  received a boost with the  recent visit by a team of United States-based experts to treat people with glaucoma and cataract eye problems and render other sundry medical services.
 The state commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker told reporters at the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, Port Harcourt on Monday that the US-based health mission–Hospitals for Humanity –  who are in the state on the invitation of  the state governor and chairman Nigerian Governor’s Forum, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was part of Amaechi’s specialist manpower development initiative instituted as a programme to enhance healthcare delivery in the State.

He said the Amaechi administration through the programme gets medical experts from all over the world to work with Rivers State Government medical personnel to deliver  top-quality healthcare. 
 According to him, the foreign medical experts would provide quality medical care particularly for glaucoma and cataract patients.
  He also said the administration recently procured over N1 billion HIV/AIDS drugs for patients in the state.
Parker said: “It’s part of this Amaechi administration’s goal to improve manpower and that is why when the governor came on board, there is this programme we instituted in the ministry of health called the specialist manpower development and on that programme we’ve done a couple of mission, that is where we have to bring in specialists from all over the world to come and work with our own persons. You know, we have had  previous missions, such as the heart and knee replacement before   this ‘Hospitals for Humanity’ came for the ophthalmology and heart . So it was easy for us to key into their programme”.
 The collaboration, according to him, provides opportunity for sharing experience between the two groups, stressing that Ophthalmology would be greatly improved in the state with the health mission.
 “It is an opportunity too to upgrade our equipment because the workers here are being exposed to latest equipment and they come with some which they are going to leave behind and some we have to procure with their guidance.

“We know that we are tackling HIV/AIDS and malaria now like the rest of the country and today, we are at the forefront in our fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria in the comity of states of Nigeria and recently we’ve procured over a billion Naira worth of HIV/AIDS commodities and in fact His Excellency, has told me that I should please give some to our neighbouring states so that they too can attend to their problems there”.
 An Ophthalmologist and member of the Health Mission, Dr Tosin Smith in an interview with journalists acknowledged that the Rivers State Government truly intended to meet the healthcare needs of the people of the state by securing their services, saying that her team would work in collaboration with medical personnel in the state to provide healthcare services for the people.
  “I think Rivers State has taken ownership of the needs of their population and have not only just invited us but they followed through with the invitation to bring us here to make sure that this mission is a success. “ She said their aim was to improve the current state of healthcare in the state and commended Governor Amaechi for the current quality healthcare delivery in the state.
  Also speaking, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Amaechi, Mr David Iyofor noted that the current health mission in the state again demonstrates Governor Amaechi’s passion for free, quality healthcare delivery to the people of the state.
“This current mission is all part of that policy of providing good quality health care for Rivers people and governor will not stop. He will keep on looking for new ways, new means to deliver better quality health care to Rivers people” he said.

Wukari varsity elevates four dons

IN line with the institution’s policy on staff development and rightful placement, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Wukari, Professor Geoffrey Okogbaa has confirmed the promotion of four university dons to the rank of professors.

  He stated that assessment of staff is an on-going exercise and assured that any claim for promotion or rightful placement would be carefully looked into with a view to implementing it accordingly.  He, therefore, congratulated the newly promoted professors and charged them to justify the new status conferred on them.

  Presenting the promotion letters to the four affected academicians, the vice chancellor reminded them that the university community was looking up to them to bring their ingenuity to bear on the institution. 

  Okogbaa said that students and staff would benefit from their fountain of knowledge and wealth of experience, which would undoubtedly propel the growth of the university to an enviable height.

  The newly promoted dons included:  Dr. Matthew Aremu, head of Chemical Science Department, Dr. Halima Buhari Sekula, dean, Faculty of Humanities, Management and Social Sciences, Dr. Francisca Ogwueleka, head of computer Science Department and Dr. Victor Okaogo, head of Department, History and Diplomatic studies.

  Similarly, the VC has approved the appointment of a new dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences.  The Dean is Professor Ngozi Odiaka.  She has since assumed office.

    By Adeniyi Adunola

Rights activists protest against alleged abuse of power by PDP, APC

Activist with coffins protecting against high school fees in Lagos state University (LASU)and

 the strike by Academic Staff Union of Universities….. Yesterday.

 

 

 

HUMAN rights activists yesterday in Lagos protested against abuse of power in the country with mock coffins. They warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) to make urgent changes within seven days or be buried forever.
   National Coordinator, Concerned Human Rights Nigeria, Comrade Declan Ihekaire, said, “Today, we are gathered to showcase two caskets depicting the wickedness of those in them against the masses.”

   Their anger, Ihekaire said, was directed at the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the newly registered All Progressives Congress.

   “One casket is for PDP while the second is for ACN, now APC,” Ihekaire said.
   The activists gave PDP seven days to find solution to demands by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), who have been on strike for the past two months. They also warned the APC-controlled Lagos State to reduce high school fees at the Lagos State University (LASU).
   The rights crusaders said there was too much corruption, mismanagement and theft in the land, adding that they cannot keep quiet while the country is collapsing. They also called for a renewed and strong fight against corruption.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Union seeks cooperation of artisans for skill upgrading

Former president United Welder Association of Nigeria, Chief Showemimo Oladele,(left)

 inaugurating Adesegun Aregbe as the new president of the association , 

Chief Whip, Bakare Ajibola, Task Force Abanishe Omotayo and Lamidi Rasaq 

at the occasion in Lagos 

PHOTO BY: ADENIYI ADUNOLA 

The president of United Welders Association of Nigeria, zone 001, Mr. Adesegun Aregbe has urged his members to join hands with him to lift the technical capabilities of the association.

     Speaking inauguration service of the association in Ejigbo, Lagos, he said, to boast that we are competent welders, instructors, supervisors and competent welding co-ordinators we need to join hand and work together has a team to satisfy the needs of our customers.

He promised to work for the interest of his members, adding that the time has come for a change in the way of doing things, adding that he will do all within his power to bring positive changes to the association.

He said; “we are going to do our best for the good of this association. The time for bickering has ended and it is time for us to stand as one and move the association forward. we will do our best and promised not to disappoint you for the confidence you have reposed in us.”

Aregbe urged the executives to see the chance give to the as an opportunity to serve the association better so that they can have their names written in the book history of the of the association

‘‘For us to protect our job we need to provide excellent service to our customers”.

The immediate past  president of the association, Showemimon Oladele said the task ahead of the new executive is not going to be easy, but advised them to work together as one body, adding that it is only when they work as one indivisible body that the followers will queue behind them and support them in all they do.

He advised the association to always support government, saying it is not good for to be seen as criticizing the government because doing will hamper the development of the association.

“We have to stand behind them and continue to pray for them because if they fail, we fail and if they succeed we all succeed together. We will continue to pray for them so that they will know our needs better than we do,” he added.

By Adeniyi Adunola and Olasinde Toyin 

Group donates school uniforms, kits to 400 Lagos pupils

About 400 hundred orphans and vulnerable students from Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State will resume school  in the next few weeks with new school uniforms and kits donated by, Jakin NGO a nongovernmental organization.
The donation at Panda Event Complex, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos on Friday was in commemoration of this year’s World Literacy Day.
According to the president of the organisation, Mrs. Olubukola Adebiyi, Jakin NGO, the group has the objective to enlighten the children on the essence of education and  encourage them  appreciate their impact on the future of  the nation.
 The group also empowers young pupils with basic school items in order for them   to function effectively in the new academic session.
She said: ''The gesture of love will help them psychologically by boosting their morale and definitely spark a new light in them by encouraging them that there is still a light at the end of the tunnel.
 ''Jakin NGO’s  Dress a Child For School Project,  which has held in September of every year since 2010 will continue to put smiles on the  faces of these children by providing them two brand new school uniforms, a school bag, two pairs of socks, a pair of school sandals, a dozen exercise books and other school items.''
 Adebiyi urged the parents and students not to give up on education since ''education is the greatest legacy we can give a child. It is the valuable gift and greatest investment in a nation.''
''It is not too late, we can still save our world we must challenge ourselves to pull our resource together and jointly fight illiteracy, we need to fill the gaps repair the bridges and strengthen the various form and channels of literacy available in the society,'' she added.

Speaking on the theme of the year event, ''Literacy for the 21st century Nigerian child'' The Education Specialist, UNICEF,
Mrs. Justine Onifade said literacy in 21st century deals with the ability for a child to able to interact with computer systems.

''It mitigate the potential adverse effect of media and empowers children to make informed choice.''

She urged the government to provide computer systems to the government owned schools  since ''computer and media literacy is an essential part private school system.''


 By Adeniyi Adunola and Tolulope Okunlola