Rivers State Government, under the visionary leadership of the Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh is committed to prioritizing the health of Rivers residents as they ensure no resident is left behind in accessing affordable quality healthcare in fulfilment of the government’s #Health4AllRivers mandate.

Following an earlier directive to delist all the enrollees of RIVCHPP who were registered without the National Identification Number (NIN), which is a prerequisite as demanded by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the management of RIVCHPP to liaise with the relevant authorities to see to it that all enrollees remain on the health insurance scheme to continue to enjoy unfettered health care services.

Based on the interest and commitment of the governmen, the Executive Secretary of Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala held a strategic meeting with the coordinator of the Rivers State office of National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Sir Chris Itodo, and representatives from the office of National Identification Management Commission (NIMC) to address the issue of how RIVCHPP’s enrollees, without NIN, can get theirs with ease.

According to a statement by Dr. Agala, after the strategic meeting, arrangements have been concluded for officials of NIMC Front End Partners to commence facility-based registration, of especially RIVCHPP enrollees, beginning from Tuesday, 21st October, 2025, starting from RIVCHPP- accredited Primary Health Centres in Port Harcourt Local Government Area.

RIVCHPP’s Executive Secretary has, therefore, called upon all Heads of Health facilities to take note of the development, and to ensure that they mobilise all enrollees registered in their facilities to be available to complete their NIN registration on the days slated for their facilities.

Dr. Agala also reiterated that based on the above, the office will make public the days when the NIN registration exercise would hold for the different facilities in the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

RIVCHPP’s Executive Secretary further appealled to all enrollees and heads of health facilities to make the best use of this window of opportunity that the government has extended to everyone to get their National Identification Number with ease at the different public health facilities throughout the state to continue to enjoy the services of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

The Ondo State Government on Monday began the disbursement of N2.39 billion to the state retirees who retired from the civil service in the between 2016 and 2017.

Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in his remarks at the official commencement of payment to the retirees, said that retirement was not an end, but a dignified transition; a well-earned season of rest, reward and respect.

He disclosed that similar payment was made to local government retirees, adding that it was the solemn duty of his administration to ensure that the benefits accruing to retirees were paid promptly, fairly, and transparently.

According to him, since assumption of office, my administration has made remarkable strides in upholding the welfare of pensioners, senior citizens, and all residents in the state.

“My administration has maintained regular and sustained monthly release of ₦180 million to defray gratuity arrears, providing timely relief to pensioners in meeting essential needs, especially those with health challenges and other related critical needs.

“This disbursement is a continuation of a well-structured and credible process designed to ensure equity in the payment of gratuities.

“We have, therefore, adopted the year of exit from the public service as the singular condition for qualification, thereby eliminating ambiguity and ensuring that every retiree receives what is rightfully his or hers without any hindrance or ill will.”

The governor assured that his administration remained resolutely committed to building and sustaining a legacy of compassion, fairness, and accountability.

“We wish to reiterate our commitment to clearing all backlogs of gratuity obligations as we proceed in this administration. Our retirees deserve empathy, honour, and respect for their years of service to the state.

“This is not merely an act of favour; it is both a moral and constitutional obligation that we hold dear and a testament to our abiding faith in the implementation of policy thrust,” he added.

Earlier, Mr Olubunmi Alade, Permanent Secretary, Pension Transitional Department expressed appreciation to the governor for the good work and love for the state workforce and pensioners.

Alade commended Aiyedatiwa for keeping the hope of retirees alive by releasing money for prompt payment of gratuity and pensions.

“This is the first time government is attending to two full years at a goal in the history of Ondo state,” he said.

Mr Johnson Osunyemi, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners(NUP), Ondo State Council,
expressed appreciation to the governor on behalf of the pensioners.

Hearing in the police suit against Omoyele Sowore and other conveners of #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, on Monday, suffered set back as court activities at the Federal High Court in Abuja came to a halt.

As at 9:30am, when reporters got access to the premises of the high-rise building that houses no fewer than 13 courts, all the courtrooms were under lock and key.

Although very few court workers, lawyers, litigants, and private guards of the court were seeing in the premises, no judge was sighted.

There were heavy security deployments with water cannons in and around the intersection between Gana Street and Shehu Shagari Way by Nicon Hilton Hotel, the popular NITEL Junction at Wuse 2, Federal Secretariat environs, National Assembly Junction, to Asokoro District leading into Presidential Villa.

Movement of vehicles was disallowed and many pedestrians were denied walking through the restricted areas, while police fired tear gas in some places.

Justice Mohammed Umar had, on Friday, fixed today for the respondents in the ex-parte motion filed by the police, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), to show cause why the interim order made by the court should be vacated.

Justice Umar had restrained Mr Sowore, the 1st respondent, and others from protesting in some sensitive areas in Abuja, including the Aso Rock Villa, today for the release of detained Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The judge also barred the protesters from anywhere close to the villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari Way, pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

Others named in the interim order include Sahara Reporters Ltd, Sahara Reporters’ Media Foundation, Take It Back Movement (TIB), for the Transformation of Nigeria Or Any Form of Organisation or Any Other Person(s) Acting Either Express or Implied Instruction or Any Other Organisation or Group With the Like Intention; and Unknown Persons as 2nd to 5th respondents respectively.

The judge had granted the ex-parte motion moved by the police lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, on behalf of FRN on Friday.

The judge also made an order of abridgement of time “within which the respondents will respond to the application on notice to cause the ex-parte order be set aside on Monday, the 20th of October, 2025 at 9.00am.”

Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the matter until Oct. 20 for hearing of the motion on notice.

The ex-parte motion was marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025.

In the affidavit in support of the ex-parte motion deposed to by Bassey Ibithan, a police officer attached to Directorate of Legal Services, Force Headquarters, Abuja, the officer averred that if not granted, the protest might threaten the national security.

Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, had planned toorganised the protest for the release of Kanu.

Sowore, the 2019 and 2023 presidential candidate of African Action Congress (ACC), had begun mobilisation for what he called a planned peaceful protest against Kanu’s detention.

However, there have also been ongoing calls for political solutions to Kanu’s trial who is facing alleged terrorism offence at the Federal High Court before Justice James Omotosho.

Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, is in turmoil following clashes between security operatives and protesters of #freeNnamdiKanuNow march, who are
demanding the release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday.

The demonstrators, led by the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, had converged as early as 6:50 a.m. around the headquarters of the Ministry of Women Affairs.

The protesters were chanting, “Don’t teargas us! Respect rule of law! We have rights to protest; we’re Nigerians!” when security operatives opened fire

Following the refusal of the protesters to disperse, security forces are said to have fired live bullets to disperse the protesters.

Before the clampdown, the protesters had vowed to march to the Presidential Villa to press home their demand for Kanu’s release, accusing the government of flouting court orders.

To ensure curtailment of the activities of the group of protesters, a combined team, drawn from the Nigerian Police Force, Guards Brigade, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), had mounted heavy security around the Presidential Villa since Sunday.

At strategic points leading to the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, Court of Appeal, Force Headquarters, and the popular Eagle Square, armed personnel were stationed to prevent unauthorised movement.

Earlier, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore led the protest in Abuja in front of the Trancorp Hilton Hotel.

The protest tagged: #freeNnamdiKanuNow was closely monitored by the police who barricaded the area to prevent further movement by Sowore and his group.

When the group refused to stop their advancement, the Police fired teargas near the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja to break up the gathering of the demonstrators.

A large contingent of police and military personnel had earlier surrounded the area, blocking access to nearby streets.

In the Utako area of Abuja, where the protesters regrouped after fleeing from the Maitama area, they continued chanting solidarity songs and displayed banners demanding the release of Kanu, before armed security operatives also forcefully dispersed them by firing teargas cannisters.

Meanwhile, traffic in Abuja has worsened as Security operatives extended roadblocks at the entry points of the city.

Combined security forces drawn from the Guards Brigade and the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Police have mounted more roadblocks at the entry points of the nation’s capital, and also at strategic places leading to the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, Court of Appeal Headquarters, Force Headquarters and the popular Eagle Square.

This led to heavy traffic gridlock around Bwari, Zuba, Nyanya axis and other entry points to the nation’s capital.The road that connects Bwari to the City Centre was blocked at the War College Area in Ushafa and at Dutse-Sokale area.

Reactions are trailing the ##FreeNnamdiKanu protest with the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday condemning the protest and describing it as “the hand of Jacob and the voice of Esau.”

The party stated that while freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are sacrosanct in any democracy, “what we are witnessing is far from a legitimate call for justice.”

Mogaji Seye Oladejo, spokesman of the party in the state described the protest as “a dangerous display of reckless politics, carefully scripted by desperate opposition figures who see chaos as their last political weapon.”

In a statement he signed, Oladejo said: “This so-called protest is not about justice; it is about political frustration. It represents the height of bitter, destructive politics, an attempt by those who have been roundly rejected by Nigerians at the polls to exploit national issues in search of cheap relevance.

“We find it deeply disturbing that certain opposition leaders, who should know better, are shamelessly endorsing and sponsoring these street theatrics.

“Their involvement reveals what can only be described as a classic case of the Biblical hand of Jacob but the voice of Esau, deceitful manipulation hiding behind the façade of activism. But let them be reminded: they will not gain in the streets what they have disgracefully lost at the polls.

“The insensitivity of the organizers and their sponsors is shocking. At a time when the South East is still bleeding from years of mindless bloodshed, kidnappings, and enforced sit-at-home orders, all consequences of violent agitation, these individuals have chosen to mock the memories of the victims. They ignore the tears of widows, the pains of orphans, and the devastation of communities ruined by senseless violence. Their protest is not a demand for justice; it is a betrayal of the sacrifices of the innocent.

“For years, ordinary citizens in the South East have lived in fear, traders afraid to open their shops, transporters grounded by threats, children deprived of education, and families shattered by insecurity. Yet, instead of standing with their people to heal these wounds, these political opportunists have returned to fan the embers of division, hoping to profit from instability.

“Let it be clear: no one is above the law. The case of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu remains a judicial matter properly before the courts. Nigeria’s judiciary is competent, independent, and capable of delivering justice without recourse to mob pressure or street intimidation,” the statement concluded.