By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) paid condolence visits to two it’s members Mrs. Elmelda Abidde and Mr. Ikiemoye Iniamagha, over the deaths of her husband and his father respectively.

Led by State Chairman, Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha, the delegation first visited Mrs. Abidde at her Mike Okpokpo Street residence in Yenagoa.

Yemoleigha urged the family to “cry if you must, but don’t cry too much,” while assuring them of the Union’s support. He described the deceased as a man who fulfilled his purpose on earth and prayed for the repose of his soul.

Elder Elton Abidde who responded on behalf of the family, thanked the NUJ for identifying with the family and used the opportunity to announce that the burial date has been scheduled for June 27, 2026.

The delegation later visited Mr. Ikiemoye Iniamagha at his Imgbi Road residence. Yemoleigha encouraged him to take heart, hold onto his father’s intangible legacies, and noted it was a blessing that the children are burying their father.

Mr. Iniamagha, who is also Bayelsa State Co -ordinator of the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), thanked the Union. He disclosed that his father took ill a month ago, was hospitalised, and passed away days later.

The NUJ chairman pledged the Council’s support for both families during the burial arrangements.

By George Mgbeleke

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has declared that the State Secretariat Complex which is undergoing massive reconstruction will be ready for use by the first quarter (Q1) of 2027.

The Governor stated this on Monday after a tour of the multiple and expansive high rise buildings, located in the Old GRA, Port Harcourt.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, Governor Fubara who had undertaken a similar tour of the project earlier this year, said he decided to revisit the site to confirm the extent of the job that has been done so far.
“We just did a tour of the renovation of the Secretariat. I have been seeing the outer part of it wearing a new look, but I wanted to really confirm how much job is going on, most importantly, the inside and that is what I just went to inspect myself.
I think that with the progress of work here, by the grace of God, I believe that by the first quarter of next year, it will be handed over to the government. Like I did promise, every job that we are handling, we will ensure that we put them to completion,” he said.
The Rivers State Secretariat was constructed in the 1970s, shortly after Rivers State was created in 1967. It is a massive complex consisting of multiple high-rise buildings, including the 17-storey “Point Block”, the 10-storey “Podium Block” along with three other 7-storey buildings tagged “Blocks A, B and C”.
The ongoing renovation is a comprehensive and transformative upgrade aimed at modernizing the entire complex. It involves structural rehabilitation, improved office layouts, installation of modern facilities, and upgrading of utilities to meet present-day administrative standards. The project is designed to create a more conducive, efficient, and technology-driven work environment for civil servants.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

A total of 396 health workers engaged previously under a United Nation Children Educational Fund (UNICEF) and GAVI-supported initiative have been fully absorbed into the State Civil Service.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Health,Dr. Murtala Mohammed Bagana stated that this is part of a move towards strengthening Healthcare delivery and to address manpower shortages across communities in the State.

The official unveiling and distribution of appointment letters highlighted the government’s commitment to sustaining quality healthcare services at the grassroots level.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Honourable Commissioner for Health represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdullahi Imam, explained that healthcare services take place largely within communities and the facilities serving them.

He noted that development partners such as UNICEF and GAVI had earlier identified critical shortages in human resources across healthcare facilities and initiated discussions with the State government to address the challenge.

According to him, “while government may provide modern infrastructure and medical equipment, effective healthcare delivery cannot be achieved without adequate manpower.

“The partners had expressed willingness to invest in young healthcare professionals and sought assurances from the Niger State Government that beneficiaries of the programme would eventually be integrated into permanent service due to the long-term nature of healthcare needs” he stressed

Noting that the previous administration under former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the initiative, Muhammad Umar Bago reaffirmed the commitment, leading to the eventual absorption of the personnel into the state workforce.

Dr. Bagana further disclosed that the newly employed personnel comprise nurses, midwives and community health workers who have already spent between two and three years rendering services within various communities.

He added that the workers would continue to serve in the same areas where they had built experience and community relationships, adding that many of them could further their education and rise into higher professional cadres.

The Commissioner also commended Governor Muhammad Umar Bago for his continued investments in the health sector, revealing that more than 3,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, laboratory scientists and community health workers have so far been recruited within the last three years.

He noted that about 116 Level Two facilities have been upgraded to improve access to services such as maternal healthcare, immunisation, nutrition and laboratory services.

Earlier, the Executive Director of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Inuwa Junaidu, described the absorption of the GAVI-supported staff as evidence of Governor Bago’s dedication to improving healthcare delivery, saying “human resources remain essential for efficient service delivery”.

Also speaking, Programme Manager Pharm. Daniel Jiya, described the event as the successful outcome of a three-year journey marked by determination and collaboration among stakeholders.

While urging the newly absorbed staff to regard their appointments as a privilege, he charged them to adhere strictly to civil service regulation.