The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment to deepening collaboration with private medical practitioners as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery across the state and the country.
Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu restated the position on Thursday at the 48th Annual General Meeting and International Scientific Conference of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners, held at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre.

Odu commended members of the association for their resilience and vital contributions to healthcare delivery, noting that private practitioners cater to between 60 and 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population. She described the conference theme, “Enhancing Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria: The Role of Private Medical Practitioners,” as both apt and timely.

Highlighting the growing role of the private sector in addressing emerging health challenges, the deputy governor also drew attention to the risks faced by practitioners, including kidnapping and violent attacks, describing their sacrifices as critical to sustaining healthcare services nationwide.

She reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to policies that promote quality healthcare, attract investment, and create an enabling environment for medical professionals to thrive. According to her, sustained synergy between public and private actors remains essential to building a resilient and inclusive health system.

Odu further spotlighted the state’s health insurance scheme, the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme, which partners with private health facilities to expand access to care. She disclosed that the initiative has funded several medical procedures, including surgeries, through such collaborations.

She urged participants to utilise the conference as a platform for meaningful engagement, knowledge exchange, and the development of practical solutions to challenges confronting the healthcare sector, expressing optimism that deliberations would yield actionable outcomes.

In his remarks, National President of the association, Adesola Adekunle Kayode, said the body had, over the past four years, achieved key reforms, including a new tariff structure and strengthened institutional frameworks to enhance the dignity of private practitioners.

Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion, Innocent Ekwem, decried the state of the nation’s health system and challenged participants to generate ideas capable of revitalising healthcare institutions.

The conference attracted stakeholders from across the health sector, underscoring renewed calls for collaboration to reposition Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.

Improved statutory revenue performance boosted distributable funds in March 2026, with the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) sharing a total of N2.036 trillion among the three tiers of government at its April meeting in Abuja.

Data released by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation showed that the allocation comprised N1.320 trillion in statutory revenue, N515.391 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT), and N200 billion as augmentation to cushion disbursements.

A communiqué issued after the meeting stated that “a total sum of N2.036 trillion, being the March 2026 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared among the Federal Government, states, and local governments.”

The statement further indicated that gross revenue available for the month stood at N2.364 trillion before deductions. From this, N81.084 billion was deducted as cost of collection, while N246.872 billion was allocated for transfers, refunds, and savings.

Statutory revenue remained the dominant contributor to the pool, rising to N1.699 trillion in March from N1.561 trillion recorded in February—an increase of N137.914 billion.

In contrast, VAT collections recorded a marginal dip. Gross VAT revenue for March stood at N664.425 billion, slightly lower than the N668.450 billion generated in the preceding month.

From the total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received N789.159 billion, states got N657.596 billion, while local government councils were allocated N468.826 billion. Oil-producing states received N120.759 billion as derivation revenue.

A breakdown of statutory revenue showed the Federal Government received N632.260 billion, states N320.691 billion, and local governments N247.239 billion, alongside the N120.759 billion shared as derivation.

From VAT proceeds, the Federal Government got N51.539 billion, states N283.465 billion, and local governments N180.387 billion, reflecting the growing dependence of subnational governments on consumption-based taxes.

The N200 billion augmentation was also distributed, with the Federal Government receiving N105.360 billion, states N53.440 billion, and local governments N41.200 billion.

On revenue performance, the communiqué noted increases in Companies Income Tax (CIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Stamp Duties (SDT), and excise duty. However, it reported declines in Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Hydrocarbon Tax (HT), oil and gas royalty, import duty, and CET, while VAT recorded a slight decrease.

FAAC meets monthly to distribute revenue accrued into the federation account in line with constitutional provisions, with allocations reflecting fluctuations in oil receipts, tax collections, and other revenue streams.

The Rivers State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Moses Oleghe, has called on camp officials for the 2026 Batch A Stream II orientation exercise to uphold the highest standards of discipline and moral conduct, urging them to distinguish themselves through integrity.

Oleghe gave the charge during his maiden meeting with officials at the orientation camp in Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State. He emphasised the need for officials to go beyond merely being different, and instead embody integrity that sets them apart in all actions and inactions throughout the exercise.

The coordinator stressed the importance of strict adherence to the NYSC Code of Conduct, directing that copies be made available to all officials through heads of committees and collaborating agencies to ensure alignment with management expectations.

On security, he urged heightened vigilance, calling on officials to remain on red alert and promptly report any suspicious activity or individuals that could threaten the peace of the camp. He added that access to the camp would be strictly controlled, noting that only individuals with official duties would be allowed entry, except with his express approval.

Oleghe further cautioned officials against the use of corporal punishment, abusive language, or any form of physical contact with corps members or fellow officials, regardless of provocation.

In his remarks, the Camp Director, Barnax Uloneme, appealed to officials to demonstrate dedication and commitment to ensure a successful orientation programme. He also pledged an open-door policy to encourage inclusiveness while seeking the full cooperation of all stakeholders.

The NYSC orientation camp is a critical phase in the service year, designed to instil discipline, leadership, and national unity among corps members.

United States Senator Ted Cruz has accused Nigerian government officials of complicity in what he described as the mass killing of Christians, alleging that authorities have failed to decisively address persistent insecurity in the country.

Cruz made the claims on Tuesday during a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee hearing on “The US approach to counterterrorism in Africa,” where he asserted that Nigeria records the highest number of Christians killed for their faith globally.

According to him, since 2009, over 50,000 Christians have been killed by extremist groups, while more than 20,000 churches, schools and religious institutions have been destroyed.

He further alleged that some Nigerian officials, at both local and federal levels, have enabled the violence, while also criticising what he described as the slow pace of response by authorities to worsening insecurity.

The lawmaker linked part of the crisis to the implementation of Sharia law in several northern states, arguing that it has contributed to religious tensions and violence.
Cruz disclosed that he had previously engaged Nigerian defence and security officials, noting that assurances given during those meetings have yet to translate into tangible outcomes.

In October, the senator introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, a proposed law aimed at holding Nigerian officials accountable for alleged violations of religious freedom.

During the hearing, Cruz queried US State Department officials on whether engagements with Nigeria had yielded results following actions taken by the administration of former President Donald Trump over concerns about religious persecution.

Responding, a senior official at the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, Nick Checker, said Nigeria has shown a degree of cooperation with the United States, citing reforms within the country’s security architecture.

Checker noted recent steps including leadership changes in security agencies, the recruitment of 50,000 additional troops, deployment of forest guards to violence-prone regions such as the Middle Belt, and increased prosecution of suspected terrorists.

He also referenced the establishment of a bilateral high-level working group following engagements between a Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and a US delegation headed by Allison Hooker.

While acknowledging progress, the US official maintained that more efforts are required, adding that Washington would continue to press Nigeria to intensify actions against insecurity and protect vulnerable communities.

President Bola Tinubu has removed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, in a cabinet reshuffle aimed at strengthening economic coordination and improving policy delivery.

The decision, announced on Tuesday, was conveyed in a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and made public through his media aide, Yomi Odunuga.

According to the government, the removals form part of efforts to reinvigorate the Federal Executive Council and accelerate the implementation of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in critical sectors tied to economic performance and infrastructure delivery.
In their place, the President appointed Taiwo Oyedele as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, while Dr. Muttaqha Darma was named Minister-designate for Housing and Urban Development.

Officials said the reshuffle was driven by the need for “stronger cohesion, improved synergy, and more impactful delivery” across government institutions, signalling concerns within the administration over the pace and coordination of economic management and housing sector reforms.

Though described as “minor,” the shake-up affects two strategic portfolios central to Nigeria’s economic stability and