News
UNICEF Donates Ambulance Boats To Boosts Riverine Healthcare In Bayelsa State
By Gloria Ikibah
United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF has handed over six ambulance boats to the Bayelsa State Government to improve healthcare and emergency response services in riverine communities living in far flung areas.
The ambulance boats, funded by Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), are equipped with medical amenities, and staffed with healthcare personnel trained to provide swift and effective emergency medical assistance, transport patients including pregnant women in labour and newborns to medical facilities and facilitate immunization outreach programmes.
With nearly 100 out of every 1000 children not surviving to see their fifth birthday, infant mortality at 70 per 1000 births, 32 per cent of pregnant women not receiving antenatal care and only about 40 per cent babies delivered in health facilities in Bayelsa State, the ambulance boats are timely to improve survival rates for women and children.
According to UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate, “The provision of these ambulance boats represents a critical step towards ensuring that even the most remote communities have access to lifesaving healthcare services.
Deputy Governor, Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, commended UNICEF for the ambulance boats and said it will be used for essential medical intervention.
He said: “These boats will not only serve as a means of transportation for patients but also function as platforms for delivering essential healthcare interventions, such as immunizations, antenatal care, and health education, directly to those in need.
“We are deeply grateful for the donation of these six ambulance boats, which bring hope to our riverine communities. This initiative is an important step in our ongoing efforts to safeguard the lives of our mothers, children, and vulnerable populations across Bayelsa. These boats will not only ensure timely medical interventions but also fortify our resolve to provide equitable healthcare services, irrespective of geographical barriers. Together, we are navigating towards a brighter, healthier future for every citizen of Bayelsa State”.
This initiative builds on the priorities of the Federal Ministry of Health as expressed in the Nigeria Health Renewal Investment Initiative, to make the health system more equitable and efficient, reduce the number of children who have not received any vaccine, and improve immunization coverage.
The delivery of the ambulance boats makes up part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2022 between the Bayelsa State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Governors Forum, GAVI, and UNICEF to improve routine immunization and primary healthcare systems and reduce loss of life, particularly among women and children.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigeria Police Force has said its operatives have apprehended a “fake journalist” who claims to be a staff member of one of the leading television stations in Nigeria during the governorship election in Edo State on Saturday.
According to the police, the operatives also arrested “two key suspects who are members of the PDP, Emotingham Godspower (25) and Farawei Isaac (27), both from Ufunama community, Ovia Southwest Local Government Area, Edo state in a comprehensive operation.”
The was disclose by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement made available to Channels Television.
“The suspects, connected to a larger network involving one “Atiku” and a kingpin known as “the boss”, were apprehended at a guest house in Ekpoma, where a substantial amount of cash and incriminating items were recovered,” the statement said.
The items recovered include a list of voters’ names with corresponding monetary values, a collection of pre-filled ballot papers, and a set of fake identification cards.
Adejobi further disclosed that another six suspects namely Suleiman Abdurahim, Fatima Yakubu, Yusuf Aminat 52 yrs, Salihu Lukman 54yrs, Safianu Saratu 32yrs were all arrested at Aibotse Secondary School, beside Meremu hotel, Auchi, for engaging in vote buying.
According to him, this group was found with a large sum of money, a cache of weapons and a detailed plan outlining strategies for voter intimidation.
“Our team’s meticulous planning and swift action have dealt a significant blow to those seeking to undermine and discredit the electoral process
“We remain vigilant and committed to ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful election. Investigations are ongoing, and updates will be provided as events unfold,” the statement added
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Independent National Electoral Commission has uploaded 90.33 percent of the results from the Edo governorship election to its Result Viewing Portal.
Results from 4,082 out of the 4,519 polling units where elections were held in the state have been successfully transmitted.
Earlier today, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo, Anugbum Onuoha, reassured the public during an interview on Arise Television that electronic transmission of results would proceed smoothly, barring any network disruptions.
“We have trained the operators for the BVAS. They are set. BVAS is to accredit the voters and to know the total number of voters that will vote at that level and that polling unit.
After that, the voters will start voting. At the end of the day, they will count the results, and it will be uploaded to our IReV,” he assured.
With more than 2.2 million permanent voter cards collected, candidates from various parties, including Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, are competing for the governorship position.
The winner will succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki, who will leave Osadebe House on November 11 after completing two terms in office.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha has said that the ongoing governorship election in Edo State will feature electronic result transmission, pending network reliability.
Onuoha made this statement during an interview with ARISE Television on Saturday.
Onuoha emphasized that poor network connectivity is the only factor that could disrupt the electronic transmission of results.
“We have a total of 4,519 polling units across the 18 Local Government Areas and have deployed 4,622 BVAS units, with an additional 660 as backup,” he explained.
He also noted that operators for the BVAS have been adequately trained.
“The BVAS will be used to accredit voters and determine the total number of voters at each polling unit. After voting, results will be counted and uploaded to our IReV system.
“We are committed to conducting an election we can be proud of”, he stated.
When asked if all results would be transmitted electronically, he affirmed, “Yes, unless there’s no network. Otherwise, we will transmit them”, Onuoha reassured.
EdoDecides2024: Police nab ‘fake Journalist’, ‘oolitical thugs’
Edo poll: INEC uploads 90.33% of results on IREV
Edo REC Promises Real-Time Electronic Result Transmission
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