Nigeria’s health system will remain fragile and unsustainable unless it returns to its original tripartite structure that accords public health its rightful place alongside primary and hospital care, a Professor of Health Policy and Medical Ethics, Kalada Godson McFubara, has said.

Delivering the 131st inaugural lecture of Rivers State University on Wednesday, McFubara warned that the continued treatment of a three-component system as either bipartite or, at best, incomplete, has weakened healthcare delivery and undermined outcomes across the country.

Speaking on the topic, “Medicalization of Public Health: Imperatives for the Health System Reform in Nigeria,” the don described public health as the backbone of the entire system, lamenting its persistent neglect and “invisible medicalization,” which he said has imposed a curative, rather than preventive, philosophy on the sector.

According to him, the dominance of curative medicine has shifted responsibility for healthcare away from citizens and communities to medical professionals and institutions, turning Nigerians into “habitual consumers” of medical services rather than active participants in preventive health practices.

He argued that the sidelining of public health has placed an avoidable burden on an already weak system, stressing that leadership and governance, core pillars of public health, have not received the attention required to drive efficiency and equity.

McFubara called for a fundamental restructuring of the health sector through the formal adoption of a tripartite model comprising public health, primary healthcare and hospital services, with public health positioned as the first point of contact.

He said such a shift would strengthen disease prevention, promote hygiene and sanitation, and improve referral systems, in line with provisions of the National Health Act 2014.

The professor urged strict enforcement of the “first contact” principle, recommending that citizens be properly educated on sanitation and registered with primary health centres to ensure access to basic care.

To deepen institutional capacity, he proposed the establishment of a National Public Health Development Agency and State Public Health Management Boards, alongside sustained investment in infrastructure and manpower.

He also advocated clearer delineation of roles within the system, insisting that Hospitals Management Boards, not Ministries of Health, should oversee referral services as stipulated by law.

Professor McFubara further stressed the need to institutionalise research and development to support data-driven policy decisions tailored to Nigeria’s peculiar health challenges, while calling for wider dissemination of the Patient’s Bill of Rights to empower citizens and promote accountability.

He recommended statutory recognition for public health professionals and proposed the creation of a Health Ombudsman to enforce compliance with health laws in collaboration with the judiciary and legislature.

On professional conduct, the don called for a unified ethics curriculum across health professions to foster collaboration and strengthen leadership.

He concluded by advocating a preventive approach anchored on deterrence, targeting diseases, infections and environmental hazards before they escalate, while maintaining adequate capacity for curative care.

Professor McFubara also raised concerns over political and ethical challenges in the sector, noting that effective leadership and governance remain critical to repositioning the system.

Drawing lessons from countries in Europe and Africa, he said sustained investment in public health has proven pivotal in building resilient and efficient health systems.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, commended the lecturer for addressing a critical gap in Nigeria’s healthcare architecture.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Blessing Jaja, the Vice-Chancellor described the lecture as enriching and timely, noting that its recommendations, if implemented, could significantly strengthen the nation’s health system.

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to uphold integrity and credibility as they prepare to play critical roles in the 2027 general elections.

Fubara gave the charge at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Batch A Stream II orientation course held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam in Tai Local Government Area of the state.

Represented by the Director of Administration in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Rachel Ayasuk-Dandy, the governor urged the corps members to discharge their expected ad-hoc duties for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with “good conscience and fearless moral uprightness.”

He stressed that their conduct must reflect the trust reposed in them by Nigerians and the leadership of the scheme, noting that credibility in the electoral process remains fundamental to democratic consolidation.

The governor also encouraged the corps members to integrate effectively into their host communities, urging them to align with local values, aspirations and development goals in order to make meaningful impact during their service year.

Fubara assured them of the state government’s commitment to their welfare and security, while urging them to remain worthy ambassadors of the NYSC and symbols of hope in their various places of primary assignment.

In his remarks, the State Coordinator of the NYSC in Rivers, Moses Oleghe, commended the corps members for their discipline, resilience and active participation in camp activities, which he said ensured the successful execution of the orientation programme.

He urged them to see the service year as an opportunity for self-discovery, personal transformation and skills acquisition, rather than relying solely on scarce white-collar job opportunities.

Oleghe also expressed appreciation to the state government for its support to the scheme, particularly the procurement of 1,500 8-inch mattresses to address accommodation challenges, as well as plans to construct additional hostel facilities for corps members.

A total of 3,596 corps members, comprising 1,297 males and 2,299 females, successfully completed the three-week orientation exercise.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a notice of appeal challenging the ₦100 million defamation judgment delivered by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in favour of officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), describing the ruling as a “travesty” and “miscarriage of justice.”

The appeal, lodged on May 8, 2026, by counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), is accompanied by an application seeking a stay of execution of the judgment pending the determination of the appeal at the Court of Appeal.

Justice Yusuf Halilu had, in a May 5 judgment, ordered SERAP to pay ₦100 million in damages to the DSS officials over alleged defamation, issue public apologies, pay ₦1 million as litigation costs, and a 10 per cent annual post-judgment interest on the sum until liquidation.
But SERAP, in its notice of appeal, argued that the decision was riddled with “fundamental legal and evidential errors” affecting jurisdiction and fairness, insisting that the ruling is “perverse and a nullity.”

The organisation disclosed that its grounds of appeal would be further amended upon receipt of the Certified True Copy of the judgment, adding that the processes already filed provide sufficient legal protection in the interim.

SERAP faulted the trial court’s reliance on what it described as defective evidence, particularly a witness statement not sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths, which it argued ought to have been discountenanced.
It maintained that the defect went to the root of the case and substantially influenced the outcome, rendering the judgment unsustainable.

The appellant also challenged the competence of the originating process, contending that the suit was initially filed against a non-juristic entity and later amended to substitute the Incorporated Trustees of SERAP.

According to the group, such an amendment cannot cure a fundamentally defective process, nor confer jurisdiction on the court.

On the substance of the defamation claim, SERAP argued that the lower court failed to apply the objective test for identification, relying instead on subjective perceptions within the DSS.

It noted that the publications complained of neither mentioned the claimants by name nor contained any unique identifiers linking them personally to the alleged defamatory statements.
SERAP further contended that the claimants, who sued in their personal capacities, failed to establish locus standi, as the alleged defamatory statements were directed at the DSS as an institution rather than at specific individuals.

The organisation accused the trial court of disregarding its defences of justification, qualified privilege and fair comment, despite evidence that the publication was substantially true and made in the public interest.
It also argued that the court wrongly inferred malice in the absence of any credible evidence, stressing that exaggeration in public interest commentary does not, in itself, invalidate fair comment.

Damages ‘Unwarranted’
SERAP maintained that the award of ₦100 million in damages was unjustified, as the claimants failed to prove any actual harm, reputational injury or financial loss arising from the publication.

It added that no independent witnesses were called to establish that members of the public understood the publication to refer to the claimants personally.

Bid to Halt Enforcement
In its application for stay of execution, SERAP warned that enforcing the judgment would severely cripple its operations and undermine its ability to pursue the appeal.
The group said it risks being unable to meet financial obligations to staff and partners, while ongoing human rights interventions and advocacy programmes could be halted.

It further argued that execution of the judgment would effectively deprive it of its constitutional right of appeal, urging the appellate court to preserve the res pending the determination of the case.
The suit (No: CV/4547/2024) was instituted by DSS officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, who alleged that SERAP’s publication defamed them.

Confusion has engulfed the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State following conflicting claims over the authenticity of the screening report for House of Assembly aspirants ahead of the party’s primaries.

The controversy erupted after reports indicated that 65 out of the 98 aspirants who purchased nomination forms were disqualified by the screening committee. The exercise, conducted last weekend, was said to have largely affected loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, were reportedly cleared.

The purported report, allegedly signed by the screening committee chairman, Muraina Ajibola, and three other members, was circulated by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Chubike Ikenga, fueling widespread reactions within political circles.

However, in a dramatic twist, the Secretary of the Screening Committee, Tanko Yamowa, disowned the document, describing it as “false and unauthorized.” Yamowa insisted that the screening exercise had only just been concluded and that no official list of cleared or disqualified aspirants had been released.

“The said publication is false, unauthorized, and does not emanate from the appropriate party authorities,” he declared. Yamowa added that no official results had been released by party officials.

According to him, the APC follows established procedures for releasing screening outcomes. Any formal announcements about aspirants’ status would come through proper party channels, he noted.

He cautioned party faithful and the public against relying on the circulating document, stressing that the APC would communicate its official position through established channels at the appropriate time. According to him, the premature publication was the handiwork of mischief-makers seeking to sow discord and heighten tension within the party.

But Ikenga dismissed Yamowa’s position, maintaining that the report in circulation was authentic. He urged aggrieved aspirants to take advantage of the party’s appeal process, noting that those dissatisfied with their status could formally challenge their disqualification through the designated appeal committee.

The conflicting positions have deepened uncertainty among aspirants and party stakeholders, with many left unsure about their standing in the race. The development underscores growing internal divisions within the APC in Rivers State, as competing interests jostle for control ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The dispute is widely seen as an extension of the lingering political rift between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, whose influence continues to shape the state’s political landscape. Both camps have been locked in a supremacy battle since Fubara assumed office, with the contest now spilling into party structures and electoral processes.

Observers note that the controversy over the screening list could further strain cohesion within the APC, potentially weakening its prospects in the state.

Meanwhile, opposition parties are closely monitoring the situation, with indications that they may exploit the internal crisis to strengthen their foothold in the region ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has taken a significant step to strengthen workplace safety and emergency response capacity with the deployment of a fire truck to its Department of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE).

At a brief handover ceremony held at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku—represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Sir Kelechi Nwelue—said the initiative underscores the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property within its facilities and host communities.

and emergency response initiatives.

“This fire truck was bought to ensure the safety of the Commission and its environs, to help to fight fire in the case of any outbreak in and within the neighbourhood. We will assist in fighting fire as much as possible, just like Shell and Julius Berger,” he said.

Ogbuku described safety as a collective responsibility, stressing that the provision of modern firefighting equipment is critical to accident prevention and effective emergency response. He noted that the fire truck would not only serve the Commission but also support neighbouring communities in the event of fire outbreaks, aligning with the intervention roles often played by corporate organisations.

He further disclosed plans to extend similar support to NDDC state offices across the Niger Delta to bolster hazard mitigation and improve response capacity throughout the region.

In her remarks, the Director of Health, Safety and Environment, Mrs Chinyere Umeh, commended the Commission’s leadership for prioritising staff welfare and operational safety. She said the addition of the fire truck would significantly enhance the department’s readiness to respond to emergencies and strengthen adherence to safety standards.

Umeh reaffirmed the department’s commitment to promoting a culture of safety and environmental responsibility across the Commission, noting that the intervention was both timely and impactful.