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N70,000 Minimum Wage: Sultan Makes Case For Sokoto Traditional Rulers

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N70,000 Minimum Wage: Sultan Makes Case For Sokoto Traditional Rulers

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Sunday appealed to the Sokoto State Government to include traditional rulers in the state in the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage.

Abubakar made the appeal during a Town Hall meeting organised by the State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, preparatory to the submission of the state’s 2026 budget proposal.
Represented by the District Head of Wurno, (Sarkin Sudan of Wurno), Alhaji Kabiru Cigari-Alhassan, Abubakar, reiterated the traditional rulers support to the implementation of all government’s policies and programmes across the state.

The representative of Physically-Challenged Persons, Malama Sa’adatu Abubakar, urged the state government to consider the renovation of Abdulrashid Adisa Raji Special School and establish more special schools across the state in order to cater for persons living with disabilities.
Abubakar, however, commended Gov. Ahmad Aliyu’s administration for its efforts in improving the living standards of the physically-challenged persons and other citizens in the state.

Nafisa Adamu-Gorori, the representative of women groups, asked for the inclusion of more water supply projects to ease the suffering of women and other citizens in sourcing potable water.

Adamu-Gorori decried that water scarcity had hindered small-scale businesses, adding,” because most women engaged in businesses are using water for their preparations.
“The delay in fetching water also prevents girls from attending schools and affects sanitation activities.”
Malama Maimuna Yahaya and Musa Bilya urged the government to renovate abandoned the Murtala Muhammad Hospital to make it fully functional and provide more schools’ furniture in the state.
Fodio Zakariya and Abdurahman Umar, the representatives of Islamic groups and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), respectively, called for the provision of more people-oriented programmes as well as the expansion of Islamic schools, for the increased inculcation of moral trainings.

Mr Augustine Onah, who spoke on behalf of the residents’ communities, lauded Aliyu’s stewardship that had transformed Sokoto state and called for the construction of more link roads to boost businesses.

The former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Chiso Dattijo, said Sokoto state had about 5.3 million youths out of the 7.2 million total population in the state.

He, therefore , called for increased youths’ empowerment and skills acquisition training programmes.

In his speech, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Abubakar Zayyana, said the meeting was to widen consultations on the proposed 2026 budget making.

He said, ” This is besides the approved work guidelines which aligned with the global best practices towards improved transparency and accountability.

The UNICEF representative, Mr Micheal Juma, appreciated the government’s commitment on children’s care, nutrition, healthcare, sanitation, education, and social protection.
He, however, called for sustained efforts through increased budgetary locations.

Responding, Aliyu said Islamic religion would continue to have a high allocation in accordance with the Nine-point Agenda set out by the present administration for Mosques’ and Islamic schools’ construction.
He added that four water supply schemes would soon be refurbished while two had been completed.
Aliyu said that this was apart from the installation of a solar-powered system for the State Water Board facilities and hospitals to address erratic electricity supply.

According to him, 60 per cent of schools had gotten new furniture while 40 per cent would get their shares soon, vowing more budgetary allocations for child nutrition, child health and child education.
Aliyu explained that the state government had partnered with a team of experts from the United Arab Emirate to undertake a joint programme on healthcare and education, which would soon commence.

Nigerians Raise Concern Over Country’s Improved Revenue And Growing Debt Profile

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Nigerians Raise Concern Over Country’s Improved Revenue And Growing Debt Profile

Many Nigerians have continued to raise concern over the Federal Government’s borrowing spree in spite claims that revenue generation has increased.

The National Assembly recently approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to borrow N1.15 trillion from the domestic debt market to finance the 2025 budget deficit.

The legislators said that the 2025 budget provided for total expenditure of N59.99 trillion, an increase of N5.25 trillion from the initial N54.74tn proposed by the executive.

They said the expansion created a total budget deficit of N14.10 trillion, out of which N12.95 trillion had already been approved for borrowing.

Data from the Debt Management Office (DMO) showed that as of June, Nigeria’s total public debt stood at N152.4 trillion, made up of N71.85 trillion external and N80.55 trillion domestic debt.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, said most of the loan requests had already been factored into the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and the 2025 budget.

“The borrowing is already embedded in the 2025 Appropriation Act.

“With this approval, we now have all revenue sources, including loans in place to fully fund the budget,” Adeola said.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, said that the borrowings aligned with global economic practices.

“There is no economy that grows without borrowing. What we are doing is in line with global best practices,” he said.

However, Senator Abdul Ningi said that Nigerians deserved to know the specifics of the loans and their intended impact.

Some experts said that Nigeria’s debt service burden could worsen due to the new borrowing plans.

The Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, said that Nigeria’s rising debt service burden was already outpacing capital expenditure.

Yusuf said that it could begin to crowd out essential government functions if not properly managed.

He said that there was a need for the government to focus more on revenue growth and fiscal consolidation than piling on new debts.

“Debt service is already far more than the appropriation for capital spending, and the trend is worrying.

“We need to tread very cautiously with respect to debt commitments,” he said.

Yusuf said that Nigeria was spending far beyond its means, with more than 80 per cent of government revenue now devoted to debt servicing.

“We are borrowing primarily to fund consumption and recurrent expenditure rather than productive capital projects.

“This path will only deepen the fiscal crisis if urgent reforms are not undertaken,” he said.

The Deputy Country Director at BudgIT, , Vahyala Kwaga, said the Federal Government’s plan to take on new loans risked breaching Nigeria’s debt threshold.

Kwaga said that the government needed to demonstrate far more transparency and accountability on how it had expended previous debts.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane, said that increased domestic borrowing could crowd out private investment.

According to Rewane, the government’s rising appetite for local debt will push up interest rates and reduce access to credit for businesses.

Rewane also said that the borrowing spree may fuel inflationary pressures.

Meanwhile, the DMO said that Nigeria’s public debt remained sustainable.

Speaking at the recently held Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, the Director-General of the DMO, Patience Oniha, said that the country’s debt-to-Gross Domestic Product ratio was currently about 40 per cent.

Oniha said that it was well below the 70 per cent international benchmark for emerging economies.

According to her, in spite growing public concern about Nigeria’s debt profile, the country’s borrowing level is not excessive by global standards.

“How The Girl Who Didn’t Dance At My Party Became Rivers Deputy Governor”

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“How The Girl Who Didn’t Dance At My Party Became Rivers Deputy Governor”

This piece is, primarily, the story of the girl who refused to dance during my first public performance as a pop musician. The event was the birthday party of Okechukwu Ogbowu at the residence of Chief Moses Nma Ogbowu at Omoku in February 1968. Secondarily, it is the story of a group of Ogba/Egbema youths who the chiefs considered rebellious and should, therefore, be watched very carefully. These two anecdotes are woven together by the story of my foray into music as a career in my youth.
In 1958, I went on holidays to the home of my uncle Eze JNA Nwachuku at Ahoada. There, I heard a very strange music that tickled my preteen fancy to the point I started singing it using words I made up; I was eight. Back to Alinso Okeanu (Beach) after the holidays, the kids in the cosmopolitan community were wowed by my air and swag while singing the very strange song. Years later, I learned the real words of the jazz classic “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles.
At fifteen, I was arraigned before a juvenile court in Omoku for singing a love song that contained the word “kiss” to the princess of Ogbaland at Ahia Orie market square; though discharged and acquitted, I was bound over to be of good behavior for six months. At sixteen, I got de-robed from the choir of St. Michael’s Church, Omoku, for buying a guitar and audaciously changing my name from Enoch. At seventeen, I had my debut at Okechukwu’s birthday party where the girl, who is the primary focus of this piece, did not dance.
During the party. I performed three songs: (1) “All My Loving” by The Beatles, which was the song that took me to the juvenile court, (2) “Midnight Hour” by Wilson “Wicked” Pickett and (3) “Please Don’t Tease” by Cliff Richard. These songs are laden with amorous innuendos and have the words “kiss” and “love”, which were considered sacrilegious in those days. The veiled explicitness of Wicked Pickett’s lyricism didn’t help matters either; it added to the excitement, which became more palpable and the connection between crowd and artiste grew more profound, when Innocent Masi (now Dr. IA Masi mni) placed a five shillings note on my forehead. Everyone at the party virtually summersaulted on the dance floor, which was the interior balcony of Ogbowu’s house, the most beautiful house in Omoku then.
The next day, the chiefs held an emergency meeting at the home of Chief S.O. Masi, who was the Commissioner of Onitsha Province during the First Republic; that province is now Anambra State. The single item on the agenda was the worrisome activities of the youths. At the end of the meeting, a chief, whose name and the first book of the Gospels would tango smoothly to the rhythms and rhymes of poetry, threatened to shoot me if he ever saw me near his house with my jita. I perfectly understood his predicament; he had many pretty daughters. Poor fellow, unbeknownst to him, I was yet to know the difference between the birds and the bees. The next evening, Monday Wokocha (late Professor Addison), Gary Omo-Odi and I dared the chief in a daredevil episode that belongs in another narrative. He shot…in the air. That day, my parents seized my guitar and grounded me. Subsequently, my uncle Nwachuku whisked me off to Port Harcourt.
Back to the party; yes, everyone at the party virtually summersaulted except a girl from Obite who didn’t step on the dance floor. She was slim, beautiful, and quite tall for girls (even for boys) of that era; so, she stood very elegant. Beyond the call-response greetings that characterize the socio-culture of the people of Ogba and Egbema, she was almost taciturn; she was shy and rarely spoke except when spoken to. However, she had a smile that lit up the environment as it contrasted with her ebony skin that glowed with the radiance of youth. I think Kamala Harris placed an order for that specific smile from the warehouse of the Divine on her way to this dimension.
The girl who didn’t dance was Ngozi Elemele; daughter of Chief Samuel Elemele, a devout Christian, businessman, and highly patriotic Ogba man from Obite. Ngozi’s refusal (or was it inability?) to dance made us tease her that she has “two left legs”, hence she couldn’t move them to the pulsating and compulsive rhythm of pop music. She just kept on smiling, and that was an impregnable armor against our social arrows. That calmness under relentless peer pressure earned her the moniker “Nwanjinwa” (Girl Nextdoor) amongst us; it contrasted with “Okoronwangbogbo”(prodigal son), which the vicar at St. Michael’s tagged me as he de-robed me from the choir. Those were the heady days of our lives.
In 2024, a social commentator subjected the youths of Ogba/Egbema of that era to a critique. He observed that, irrespective of their youthful exuberance with a dose of mischief, that generation of Ogba/Egbema youths effectively took advantage of the ample educational opportunities provided by government immediately after the civil war. Also, he noted that that party produced four medical doctors, two lawyers, one architect, two general managers of parastatals, two chairmen of local government, three permanent secretaries, one head of service, three professors, and a deputy governor. Concluding the analysis, the critic held that while many in the group held more than one position in the categorization, Ngozi Elemele, the girl who didn’t dance, held more top level public positions than the rest. She was Permanent Secretary, Commissioner, became Professor and is now Deputy Governor.
Today, the Obite girl who didn’t dance at the party in 1968 is gracefully and elegantly waltzing at the center stage of Rivers State politics as Her Excellency, Prof Mrs. Ngozi Nma Odu DSSRS, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State. Her excellent performance in public office is a product of decades of fierce focus on the future, dedication and devotion to duty, resolute resilience, humility and simplicity; years spent climbing the arduous ladder of mainstream bureaucracy from Grade Level 08 to the apex of the pyramid, serving as Commissioner and thereafter venturing into the intellectually challenging trajectory of academics and also peaking at the apex of professorship and, eventually, clenching the coveted position of Deputy Governor of Rivers State.
Naturally, I was very delighted and humbled by the honor and privilege of being chairman of the occasion where Akabuka Community honored Her Excellency with a grand reception on October 25, 2025. It was very gratifying that her boss, His Excellency Sir Siminalaye Fubara GSSRS, supportively graced the occasion as Special Guest of Honor, a reflection of humility and simplicity in high profile office, which is uncommon in our society.
Who says focus, determination, drive and hard work do not pay? They did then; they do now and they always will. Are the youths of today listening? “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15).
Akparikolamo!!!

By Professor Jason Osai

Health Ministry, ICPC Seal Anti-corruption Pact

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Health Ministry, ICPC Seal Anti-corruption Pact

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has entered a multi-year pact with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission designed to strengthen oversight in the health sector.

Under the pact, both institutions will monitor, track, and audit expenditures tied to the nationwide overhaul of health infrastructure projects, ensuring transparency, accountability, and better value for public investments.

The initiative spans all Local Government Areas and aims to strengthen transparency, guarantee value for money, and ensure proper delivery of health projects critical to improving Nigeria’s primary healthcare system across diverse communities.

Announcing the development via a telecast on his X handle on Sunday, Coordinating Minister Prof. Muhammad Pate said the move aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and formed part of efforts to rebuild public trust.

He said the initiative was also intended to deepen accountability and reverse longstanding governance deficits across ministries, departments, and agencies connected to the health sector.

He stressed that overcoming Nigeria’s development challenges required public administrators at all levels to embrace transparency in managing public resources.

He added that the ministry had begun institutionalising preventive and corrective accountability mechanisms across its agencies, with emphasis on surveillance of health parastatals and fund pathways under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.

“Under the pact, the ICPC will report on the status of projects identified by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency for certification and provide real-time monitoring of primary healthcare revitalisation projects.

“It will also introduce a new certification process for anti-corruption training and capacity-building initiatives targeting health sector personnel nationwide.”

Pate noted that state and local governments would be integrated into strengthened accountability processes to ensure unified anti-corruption standards nationwide.

He added that the ministry was complementing those measures with a broader anti-corruption strategy, including deploying hundreds of Performance and Financial Management Officers across all local government areas to assess rehabilitation efforts in primary health centres.

Pate said the National Health Fellows recruited from each local government would work alongside Performance and Financial Management Officers to sustain new accountability procedures and support the ministry’s ongoing reforms.

Strengthening those systems, he said, would improve health outcomes, boost donor confidence, and unlock greater multilateral support for key health interventions across the country

He described the reforms as part of a renewed national commitment to integrity, trust, and collective progress.

PDP Expels Wike, Anyanwu, Fayose …Retains Damagum As Substantive Chairman

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PDP Expels Wike, Anyanwu, Fayose …Retains Damagum As Substantive Chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, its suspended National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose.

Their expulsion was announced on Saturday at the party’s national convention in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The Atlantic Bell reports that the convention is taking place on November 15 and 16.

Chief Olabode George, former National Vice Chairman of the party (South) moved the motion for the expulsion at the ongoing convention in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Hon Samaila Burga, Chairman of the PDP in Bauchi, seconded the motion.

The PDP faction loyal to Wike had moved to stop the convention through the court, but the party secured judgement at a high court in Oyo to make the convention hold.

A few days to the convention, Mao Ohabunwa, chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Wike-led faction, ​said anyone going to Ibadan for the purpose of convention would just going there to relax because the exercise would not be recognized by law.

​Taunting the other faction, he said those interested in going to Ibadan should relax and have fun, describing the exercise as a “jamboree.”

​According to him, Anyanwu, had issued

According to him, Anyanwu, had issued a circular, notifying members about the postponement of the convention.

​”We have met as the national working committee of PDP, and reviewed our activities. We have agreed to obey all the court decisions on the Ibadan convention. So, we are not part of the exercise.

​”Ibadan is a public place, people can go for anything but not for convention, anyone going there in the name of convention should consider it a jamboree.

“We won’t tolerate flagrant abuse of the constitution by some individuals in the name of a convention,” Ohuabunwa had said.

​The faction’s acting national chairman, Abdulrahman Muhammad, also called on the delegates to stay away from the convention and wait for the right time.

​Muhammad promised to keep mobilizing members across the 36 states and the FCT for a strong and united PDP.

​”We are concerned with moving PDP forward, therefore, all delegates across the country should stay away from the Ibadan convention,” said Muhammad.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Umaru Damagum has been unanimously confirmed as the substantive National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The motion to this effect was moved by the Chairman of the PDP, Edo State chapter, Hon. Tony Abineri, on behalf of the 3,000 delegates at the 2025 Elective PDP Convention held at the mainbowl of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, on Saturday.

The motion, which was seconded by Edward Marshal, is said to be in accordance with Section 32 of the PDP Constitution as amended.

Speaking while moving the motion, Abineri said, “I move the motion for the ratification of Ambassador Umaru Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the party. This is in accordance with Section 32 of the Constitution of the PDP as amended.”

RSG Bridging Sectoral Gaps In Healthcare Delivery – Commissioner

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RSG Bridging Sectoral Gaps In Healthcare Delivery – Commissioner

Dr Adaeze Oreh, Rivers Commissioner for Health, has reaffirmed the state government’s readiness in bridging existing gaps in the primary and secondary healthcare sector of the state.

Oreh made the remark at the 4th annual scientific conference organized by Nigerian Prosthetics, Orthotic and Orthopaedic Technology Society (NPOOTS) in Port Harcourt.

Represented by Dr Nwachuku Vincent, Director of Medical Service of the Ministry, the Commissioner commended NPOOTS for donating artificial limbs to some amputee in the state.

She assured on government’s willingness to synergise with the group to assist in bringing prosthetic and orthotic services down to the primary and secondary healthcare sectors of the state.

She noted that the government through the ministry had initiated viable policies aimed at driving healthcare services to the remotest parts of the state.

According to her, the governor’s mantra ‘’health for Rivers people’’ had started yielding feasible impacts as Gov. Siminalayi Fubara continued to strengthen the sector.

“The governor has so far employed over 2,000 health workers and had promised more employment even as he is expanding healthcare facilities across rural communities.

“I believe, with proper synergy, prosthetic and orthotic services could also get to rural communities,” she said.

Prof. Rufai Ahmad, Registrar, Medical Rehabilitation Therapist Board of Nigeria, expressed concerns over manpower deficit in prosthetic and orthotic units across the country.

Acknowledging the importance of the arm of medicine, Ahmad called on government and relevant stakeholders to ensure continuous training to enable professionals deliver effectively.

“We have very few qualified professionals in Nigeria who provide these services; in the boards, we have registered only less than 400 members,” he said.

Dr Onwukamuche Chikwado Kingsley, the immediate past president of NPOOTS, attributed high cost of acquiring artificial prosthetics to high foreign exchange rate on imported components.

He urged the government to consider health insurance for patients and also integrate Prosthetics and Orthotic service into the primary healthcare system.

Former Anambra Governor, Obiano Debunks Death Story … Says, I’m Alive And Healthy

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Former Anambra Governor, Obiano Debunks Death Story … Says, I’m Alive And Healthy

Former Anambra State Governor Chief Willie Obiano has debunked rumours circulating on social media, claiming he had passed away, assuring the public that he is in excellent health.

In a statement released on Friday evening, Obiano, who bears the title of “Akpokuedike,”
addressed the speculation directly, describing the reports as baseless and the handiwork of mischief-makers.

The former governor said he was surprised to wake up to news of his alleged death, stressing that he remains “alive, hale, hearty, and in excellent health.”

“By the special grace of God, I am doing very well,” he said.

Obiano expressed disappointment that some individuals continue to circulate falsehoods for reasons he said were difficult to understand. However, he maintained that such actions would not deter him.

He also extended his gratitude to the many people who reached out with calls, messages, and prayers after the rumour surfaced.

“Your love and goodwill mean more than words can express,” he noted.

Obiano urged the public to disregard the speculation entirely, adding that he remains focused, grateful, and guided by God’s grace.

NPOOTS Donates N10m Prosthetic Limbs To Rivers Amputees

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NPOOTS Donates N10m Prosthetic Limbs To Rivers Amputees

The Nigerian Prosthetics, Orthotic and Orthopedic Technology Society (NPOOTS) has donated prosthetic limbs worth over N10 million to ten amputees in Rivers State, restoring mobility and improving their quality of life.

The presentation took place during the society’s 4th annual scientific conference in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Dr Nze Ugorji, President of NPOOTS, handed over the devices to seven male and three female beneficiaries, highlighting the high cost of prosthetic limbs and calling for federal government intervention to improve access.

He noted that the donation was part of NPOOTS’ annual commitment to enhancing self-reliance among amputees nationwide.

“The theme of this year’s conference, ‘Broadening Prosthetic and Orthotic Services Across Nigeria’s Healthcare System Towards Achieving Universal Health Coverage,’ reflects our goal of strengthening rehabilitation and promoting sustainable use of prosthetic devices,” Ugorji said.

He urged the government to integrate prosthetic and orthotic services into the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to reduce financial barriers, as the cost of a single limb currently ranged from N800,000 to N1.6 million.

Mr Pakouyowou Timothee, International Project Coordinator of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), announced that Japan would provide 200 free prosthetic devices for landmine victims across Nigeria in 2026.

He said the initiative would also train 20 professionals in 3D prosthetic technology and offer capacity-building opportunities to 400 students through schools and the Nigerian Rehabilitation Workers Board.

The neneficiaries hailed NPOOTS for the initiative and urged government and private partners to collaborate to expand coverage for patients on waiting lists.

Mr Uche Wordi, a gunshot victim from Obio/Akpor Local Government, said, “I’m delighted to receive this prosthetic; my knee was long overdue for replacement but I couldn’t afford one.”

Miss Okorie Chioma, 29, from Imo State, whose leg was amputated due to diabetes complications, expressed gratitude: “I can now walk again, something I could not do because I couldn’t afford an artificial limb.

“I commend NPOOTS for this benevolence.”

By: Wokoma Emmanuel

Air Peace Faces Disruptions, As Lessor Withdraws Aircraft …Claims Loss Of $15m

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Air Peace Faces Disruptions, As Lessor Withdraws Aircraft …Claims Loss Of $15m

Air Peace Ltd. has attributed sudden disruptions in its domestic operations to ‘illegal’ withdrawal of three aircraft by its wet lessor, Smartlynx Airlines.

The airline said on Friday that the disruptions cost it 15 million U.S. dollars.

The Chief Commercial Officer at Air Peace, Mr Nowel Ngala, disclosed this at a news conference in Lagos.

According to Ngala, Air Peace has experienced a number of operational disruptions, resulting in flight delays and cancellations.

He said that Air Peace entered a wet-lease agreement with Smartlynx because 13 of its aircraft were undergoing scheduled maintenance abroad.

According to him, to avoid service gaps and ensure Nigerians would continue to travel conveniently, the airline leased aircraft from SmartLynx.

He said that the sudden withdrawal of the three aircraft was illegal and a breach of contract.

Ngala said that the withdrawal inflicted financial loss and reputational damage to Air peace and the Nigerian travelling public.

“This withdrawal was done without prior notice. It is a clear violation of industry standards and of an agreement between both parties.

“What makes this even more concerning is that SmartLynx had collected money upfront from Air Peace.”

He said that the lessor claimed that the owners of the aircraft wanted them withdrawn.

“Over five million dollars of our money including over a million dollars paid as security deposits for those aircraft are with them (SmartLynx).

“This situation has caused over 15 million dollars in damages to Air Peace. These aircraft had already been rostered for scheduled flights, and their sudden removal created significant gaps in our operations,” he said.

Ngala said that Air Peace had released three of the aircraft to the owners in good faith.

According to him, one more aircraft remains, and the airline is requesting for refund.

He said that was not the first time Air Peace was placed in a difficult situation by a lessor.

According to him, a lessor had ‘vanished’ with over two million dollars from Air Peace in the guise that it was taking leased aircraft for maintenance.

He said that the aircraft was never returned and the fund unaccounted for.

“These actions, unfortunately, reflect the challenges Nigerian carriers often face in international leasing arrangements. We cannot allow that to happen again,” he said.

According to Ngala, in spite of the challenges, Air Peace has completed its aircraft maintenance and two have arrived for services.

He said that the airline hoped to resume full operations across all its routes from next week as more of its aircraft would return.

He said: “We regret the difficulties our passengers have experienced, and we appreciate their patience and understanding throughout this period.

“Air Peace remains firmly committed to providing safe, reliable and world-class flight services.

“We assure the Nigerian public that we are taking every necessary step to prevent such disruptions in the future and to hold all defaulting partners accountable.”

Ngala said that the airline’s London flights had not been disrupted.

RIVCHPP Mark’s World Diabetes Day With Outreaches … Conducts Blood Sugar Tests In 23 LGAs

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RIVCHPP Mark’s World Diabetes Day With Outreaches … Conducts Blood Sugar Tests In 23 LGAs

Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) has partnered with the Rivers State Ministry of Health and Svengen Health Limited to commemorate World Diabetes Day, celebrated annually on the 14th November.

As a build-up to the day, the Executive Secretary of the health insurance agency in Rivers State, Dr. Vetty Agala, on behalf of RIVCHPP, presented the Diabimetrics(glucometer) and other materials to the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, in a symbolic gesture. The presentation was witnessed by the State Non-communicable Diseases Program Manager, Dr. Sandra Abolo.

Testing for blood sugar at the State Secretariat Complex , Port Harcourt, as part of the World Diabetes Day celebrations.

Also, Dr. Agala, who hosted an online radio programme earlier in the week to x-ray matters relating to Diabetes noted that health education, health promotion, and preventive healthcare are central to RIVCHPP’s protection of Rivers residents from health poverty.

RIVCHPP had earlier received support from Svengen to ensure that materials to test for Diabetes among residents of the state were distributed to the 23 Local Government Areas through RIVCHPP’s focal persons.

To mark the day, RIVCHPP and the Ministry of Health mobilised healthcare personnel at the State Secretariat Complex and other sites throughout the 23 Local Government Areas to carry out blood glucose tests.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, the Executive Secretary of RIVCHPP, Dr. Vetty Agala, and the Focal person for Non-communicable Diseases in Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Sandra Abolo displaying the test kits.

According to Dr. Barine Dimkpa, the Head, Health Services Department of RIVCHPP, the outreach programme to raise awareness on diabetes, screen for prediabetes and enrol Rivers healthworkers into health insurance as part of the World Diabetes day outing.

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