Teem Clinic Dental/Smile Train to offer free medical surgery in warri on 10/13 April, 2024

Teem Clinic Dental/Smile Train to offer free medical surgery in warri on 10/13 April, 2024

Wilson Macaulay

Warri _____ Teem Clinic Dental Services Limited, in collaboration with Smile Train, a renowned international charity organization, is set to   launch a groundbreaking initiative to provide free

medical surgery for children suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate sickness in Effurun, Warri, and environs  in  Delta State and beyond.

The special medical outreach expected to begin on the 10 -13 th April 2024, is an effort aimed to address cleft Lip/cleft palate which is a congenital condition in which the upper lip fail to form properly thereby creating a hole in the upper lip while cleft palate is a condition where there is an opening between the mouth and the nose such that when the child swallows food, it comes from the nose.

The event, which will mark a significant milestone in the treatment of cleft lip and cleft palate in the  local healthcare sector in Delta State will take place at Teem Clinic's facilities in Effurun  meteopolis at Refinery road, Ekpan opposite Chicken Republic Ekpan near the Police Station.

 The event which is scheduled to commence on the 10th of April to 13th April 2024, underscores the commitment of both organizations Teem Dental Services Ltd and Smile Train  to making essential medical services accessible to underserved populations who suffers a lot of stigmatization and total neglect in our society as a result of this disease.

The initiative will offer a wide range of surgeries, to correct defects in cleft lip/cleft palate at no cost through the generous support of Smile Train and the dedicated team of professionals at Teem Clinic Dental Services which have successfully carried out surgery on over 100 who are happily living in our society today free from that congenital condition which made  life not worth living.

Dr. Etetefia Mabel, the CEO TEEM Clinic Dental, the lead dentist,

flanked by Dr Omoloye Philip Adupagbemi,, Omonigho Oghenetega joy and Ovwavweho Eseoghene during a Press Conference organized to herald the event expressed her  enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, that Teem Dental is  thrilled to partner with Smile Train to bring  the much-needed medical care to the people of Effurun, Ekpan, Warri and environs.

According to Dr Etetefia Mabel, cleft lip and cleft palate disease are  vital aspect of overall well-being, and through this initiative, they  hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our community members whose joy of having new born babies has been shattered.

lndeed it is heart warming to know that

Smile Train, known for its global efforts to provide free cleft lip and palate surgeries, has extended its support to include dental services in collaboration with Teem Clinic. The organization's mission aligns with Teem Dental's commitment to promoting oral health and improving access to essential medical treatments specifically in carrying out the correctional surgery

of cleft lip/cleft palate.

Dr Etetefia Mabel who  further briefed the Press said:"We are proud to partner with Smile Train to expound the reach of Teem Clinic Dental Services to reach and impact Effurun/ Warri Communities, and the whole of Delta State and beyond." 

Dr Etetefia Mabel assured the public 

that together with Smile Train, Teem Dental  Services aim to address the pressing challenges of Cleft lip/Cleft Palate which makes society to regard those with the sickness as outcasts, witches/wizards or cursed children 

left to live in isolation as a result of ignorance and lack of information on where victims can get medical solution.

Dr Etetefia Mabel explained during the interractive session that,  the free surgery is an  initiative driven by passion to help humanity get improved access to specialized healthcare services in the area of cleft lip/Cleft palate condition, because the sickness have broken many marriages as spouses lay blames on each other as the source of the problem.

Shedding more light on the event, Dr Etetefia Mabel remarked thus: " What we hope to do on the 10th of April to 13 th April 2024  is the practical reflection  of our  shared commitment to promoting health equity and addressing disparities in healthcare access."

She added: " Patents of cleft lip/cleft palate should receive this information and grab the free surgery opportunity we are offering, l encourage them to start registerion now in advance at Teem Clinic's Warri location Refinery Road opposite Chicken Republic, Ekpan, Uvwie LGA, Delta State. They can also be contacted on gsm number 08023161800, 08029039656 for all necessary clarifications.

Speaking further, Dr Etetefia Mabel observed: "The event promises to be a transformative opportunity for individuals in need of cleft lip/cleft palate surgery, because they will receive treatment from skilled professionals in a supportive and compassionate environment ."

As preparations for the initiative are underway, it is worthy of note that Teem Dental and Smile Train, the organizers anticipate a significant turnout and they are prepared to accommodate a large number of patients.

Judging from what we saw on ground during the Press briefing, With the support of Smile Train and the dedication of Teem Clinic Dental Services, Doctors ,  with the relevant medical equipments showcased by Dr Etetetefia Mabel,   the collaborative effort holds the promise of transforming lives and promoting treatments  of cleft lip/cleft Palate   in Effurun/Warri communities in patticular and Delta State in general.

IYC Eastern Flank makes case for Ebolo Vice Chairmanship ambition

IYC Eastern Flank makes case for Ebolo Vice Chairmanship ambition 

Francis Tayor

PortHarcourt_____ As the process to install new IYC administration prior to the expiration of Dr. Collins Okotete led leadership of Western Zone of Council, the leadership of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) DAA BLoc which comprises of Kalabari Se-Ikpangi, Ke Clan, Bille Clan, Tombia Clan and Udekeama Clan respectively in the Eastern flank, after due consultations with members of Council inline with the forthcoming Western Zone elections, has called on Comrade EBOLO SAMUEL, the immediate past Chairman lYC Ngbilebiri Clan to contest for the office of Vice Chairman.

In a Press Statement issued on Thursday at PortHarcourt, Rivers State Capital signed by the duo, Comrade Asikitams Edward, Chairman IYC Kalabari Se-Ikpangi, Coordinator IYC DAA Bloc and St. Bikiya Samuel, 

Chairman IYC Tombia Clan, Secretary IYC DAA Bloc stated that the call became imperative owing to the fact that distinguished Comrade EBOLO SAMUEL has the carriage, courage, collaborative strategies and leadership charisma, owing to his result oriented, flawless, peaceful and diligent service to Ijaw Nation, as an immaculate Chairman of the IYC Clan Chairmen Forum, Western Flank.

They noted that Ebolo Sam has the experience and the ljaw resource control struggle in his DNA, hence given him the opportunity to serve as Vice Chairman lYC Western Zone will push the ljaw cause to the international level.

Read below full details of the statement:

AKUMA FIETE! 

THE CALL FOR COMRADE EBOLO SAMUEL TO CONTEST FOR THE EXALTED POSITION OF VICE CHAIRMAN, IYC WESTERN ZONE.

The leadership of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) DAA BLoc which comprises of Kalabari Se-Ikpangi, Ke Clan, Bille Clan, Tombia Clan and Udekeama Clan respectively in the Eastern flank, after due consultations with members of Council inline with the forthcoming Western Zone election, do unequivocally call on Comrade EBOLO SAMUEL  to contest for IYC Vice Chairman.

This Clarion call is borne out of his ingenuity, passion, patriotism, resilience, probity, respect, dedication, doggedness, intellectual capacity, selflessness and experience in the struggle of our collective bargaining and patrimony inline with the tenets and principles of the infallible Kaiama Declaration.

The aforesaid office requires someone who has the chemistry of our revered council, to support and strengthen Council, tenaciously agitate for the well-being of our innocuous and poor Ijaw populace by positively transforming their lives trajectory whereby building confidence in the lives of an oppressed average Ijaw man and woman.

The distinguished Comrd EBOLO SAMUEL has the carriage, courage, collaborative strategies and leadership charisma, owing to his result oriented, flawless, peaceful and diligent service to Ijaw Nation, as an immaculate Chairman of the IYC Clan Chairmen Forum, Western Flank.

If we must resuscitate the struggle of our forebearers, we must holistically look beyond ethnicity, friendship, self aggrandizement and place more priority on competency, character and commitment in sustaining the struggle of our collective bargaining. 

Comrade EBOLO is blessed with the Solomonic wisdom, meekness and peaceful disposition to midwife peace amongst council members, and to support his zonal Chairman and other leaders in the Western flank to succeed.

In the foregoing, we seriously need to be intentional about building strong institutions in actualizing our collective aspirations, and not to be building 'strong men' without the requisite competency, character and commitment.

Sequel of the above, we conscientiously call on the IYC Chairman of the Clan Chairmen Forum Western Zone, Comrade EBOLO SAMUEL to vie the Zonal Vice Chairmanship position which by zoning, is within his jurisdiction and therefore solicit for the support of all and sundry in repositioning our revered Council.

Sign:

Comrade Asikitams Edward, Chairman IYC Kalabari Se-Ikpangi, Coordinator IYC DAA Bloc. 

St. Bikiya Samuel, 

Chairman IYC Tombia Clan, Secretary IYC DAA Bloc.

Ogbe-ljoh/Aladja Dispute: Sylvester calls on Gov. Sheriff to take action

Ogbe-ljoh/Aladja Dispute: Sylvester calls on Gov. Sheriff to take action

Francis Tayor

Warri ______ Following the calamity that befalls the Nigerian Army over the land dispute between Okuama and Okoloba Community's in Bomadi/Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, a renowned Justice of Peace title holder of the state, High Chief. Sylvester Tiebebedigha (JP), the Doumien-Owei (Peace Maker) of Ogbe-ljoh Warri kingdom, has called on the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to as a matter of public importance take a drastic action to put to permanent end the land boundary adjustment dispute between the people of Aladja in Udu LGA and Ogbe-ljoh in Warri South-West LGA of the state.

Chief Tiebebedigha made the call on Friday in Warri, following a multiple sounds of gun shots by unknown gunmen around Aladja and Ogbe-ljoh forest, noted that the governor should step up to conclude the boundary adjustment deal between the two communities now that they have embraced reasonable peace at the moment.

Chief Sylvester stressed that as the holder of the Peace Maker title in Ogbe-ljoh Warri kingdom,  he cannot keep mute when there are suspicious moves by some fugitive criminal elements who had caused havoc at Okuama community to come and ignite crisis between Aladja and Ogbe-ljoh Communities that have been living peacefully over the last one year prior to Gov. Oborevwori's intervention.

He commended the state governor for his prompt intervention by delegating the Speaker of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Dennis Emomotimi Guwor to resolve the Ogbe-ljoh/Aladja land dispute crises in July 2023 last year.

However, Chief Sylvester charged the governor to do more by taking drastic decision to come and conclude the boundary adjustment deal which he delegated Mr. Speaker to facilitate the process while His Excellency was out of the country.

He added that how which drastic action where taken earlier by the state government to resolve the Okuama and Okoloba Community's land dispute, the matter wouldn't have escalated to the killing of peace keeping Nigerian soldiers by irate youths.

Funkekeme, J.T, Oloye give credence to Sunny for Burutu Council Chair

Funkekeme, J.T, Oloye give credence to Sunny for Burutu Council Chair

Francis Tayor

Asaba______  The Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor of Delta State and a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Burutu, Hon. Chief Funkekeme Solomon, the member representing Burutu South Constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Chief Peres Oloye and the Chairman Governing Council Delta State Polytechnic of Marine Technology Burutu, Hon. Chief J.T. Government, has expressed confidence in the candidate of the immediate past Secretary of Burutu Local Government Council, Hon. Prince Sunny Ebiboloukaemi Perekeme, who is a frontline aspirant in the forthcoming Burutu Local Government chairmanship elections.

The three PDP leaders of repute in Burutu gave their credence to Hon. Sunny Perekeme on Wednesday in Asaba, when the chairmanship aspirant paid them a consultative visit.

In his remarks, Chief. J.T. Government asserted that Prince Sunny Perekeme is very humble, calm, straight forward, honest and trust worthy person who can chair Burutu Local Government Council well without compromise. He stated that if character like Sunny is given the mandate to serve as the council Chairman, Burutu people are in a safe hand.

While Hon Peres Oloye, the member representing Burutu South Constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, described Sunny Perekeme as upright man who is result oriented and understanding, adding that he has confident in Sunny to operate an all inclusive Government that will accommodate everybody in Burutu when given the opportunity to serve as the Council Chairman.

On his party, the Senior Policy Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Hon. Chief Funkekeme Solomon noted that Burutu Council needs someone that can satisfy the entire Burutu people. 

He believes that Prince Perekeme Sunday can bridge the gap because he has maximum respect for elders, experience of leadership and educationally balanced to adequately manage Burutu resources for the benefit of all when emerged as the next council Chairman. 

The trio however, expressed gratitude to God for bringing Sunny Perekeme at this time, and as well pour out their heartfelt prayers for him to actualize his ambition.

Meanwhile, it will interest the public to note that Hon. Prince Sunny Perekeme was first appointed in 2003 as Transition Committee Member/Supervisor for Agric and Natural Resources under Hon. Asupa Forteta led council Chairman. In 2008, he was reappointed as Supervisor for Agric and Natural Resources by Hon. Frank Ekioemi Zuokumo led council Chairman. 

In 2018, he was appointed as Secretary to Burutu Local Government Council by Hon. Godknows Angele led council Chairman.

In 2021, he was reappointed as Secretary Burutu Local Government Council by Hon. Godknows Angele, where he humbly and faithfully served both Angele and Combolous lkisa. 

He was also appointed as head of Administration of the PDP election management committee in Burutu Local Government Area during 2023 general elections.

And he was recently appointed as Secretary 2024 Burutu North Constituency Delta State House of Assembly Re-run election management committee that was ably chaired by Chief. (Dr.) Julius Takeme in Burutu Local Government Area.

It is on record that Hon. Prince Sunny Ebiboloukaemi Perekeme is the first man to bagged the Meritorious Award as the most humble and honest Council Secretary in the history of Burutu Local Government Council.

Among those in the campaign team of Prince Sunny Perekeme include; Mr. Funpere Numupeide, DG Hon. Prince Sunny Perekeme campaign organization, Hon. Asiayei Eregu, woman leader Maureen Bolo and many others.

Just-ln: IPF kicks Against Raid of Pa Clark's Home by Nigerian Army

Just-ln: IPF kicks Against Raid of Pa Clark's Home by Nigerian Army 

...... Says ljaw youths never plan to attack military neither oil facilities in the Niger Delta as claimed by security report

Francis Tayor

Warri _____ Following the recent unlawful and disrespectful raid of the home of ljaw National Leader, Chief (Dr.) Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark in Kiagbodo Community, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State by the Nigerian Army, the ljaw Publishers Forum, IPF has vehemently condemned and kicked against the action of the Nigerian military, describing the invasion as barbaric and a slap to ljaw nation.

The statement was made by the National President IPF, Comrade Austin Ozobo on Wednesday at Warri, during a World Press Conference organized by the body also refers to the military intelligence report insinuating ljaw youths are planning to attack military and oil facilities in the Niger Delta region as a big lie and unfounded rumor emanating from the pit of hell been sponsored by enemies of ljaw nation in order to cause Nigerian government against ljaw people over the killing of soldiers by Okuama youths in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State.

IPF emphasized that Niger Delta youths and stakeholders are very much committed to hold firm the existing peace in the region following the sustained Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, stressing that it is unwise for crisis merchants to think of brewing bad blood among the Nigerian military and the Niger Delta region.

The Pan Ijaw News Agency has however, called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army to exercise rules of engagement and not to plunge the country into avoidable chaos, adding that the Nigeria government and its military should at this point build a lasting peace to attract more investors across the globe to the impoverished but oil-rich Niger Delta region.

Read below the full details of the Press Statement:

IJAW PUBLISHERS' FORUM, (IPF)

Press statement

27th March, 2024

RAID ON CHIEF (DR) PA CLARK'S HOME, MEANT TO INCITE PROVOCATION AND SECURITY REPORT INSINUATING IJAW YOUTH PLAN TO ATTACK MILITARY,  OIL FACILITIES IN NIGER DELTA LACK FACTS

The Ijaw Publishers Forum's (IPF) attention has been drawn to a threat to militarise the Niger Delta region, particularly Ijaw communities by the Federal Government of Nigeria following a mischievous and unverified security reports alleging that Ijaw youth are planning to attack military installations and oil facilities in the region.

Again, the IPF wishes to express its utter dismay on the unlawful military raid on the country home of Ijaw national leader, Chief (Dr) Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark in Kiagbodo community, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday. However, we strongly condemn the unlawful breaking and entry into such highly profiled residence by the military. Except we are in a banana Republic, the rule of law should be adhered to in every military operation in this country.

The barbaric raid is a slap on Ijaw Nation and is meant to embarrass the 97-year-old Ijaw national leader, who has served this nation meritoriously, and to equally incite provocation among Ijaw youths by suspected crises merchants to accomplish their game plans. Following the recent ugly antecedents, the twisting of Vanguard report which refers Irate Ijaw youths to have killed soldiers in Okuama, the purported military intelligence report saying Ijaw youths are planning to attack military and oil facilities in Niger Delta, killing of Ijaw people in Bayelsa State, raiding of Ijaw communities in Delta, Bayelsa States; attempt to rope Ijaw prominent leaders and invasion of Pa Clark home, show that there is a deliberate plan by some enemies of the region to drag Ijaw Nation into the Okuama incident by all means necessary. It should be on record that Ijaw is not behind the killing of soldiers in Okuama community, and why the continuous siege on Ijaw Nation by the military?

The military raid in Pa Clark's home and Killing of Ijaw people in Bayelsa State should be probed and erring soldiers be brought to book in immediate effect to douse anger nationwide.

As Pan-Ijaw News Agency, the IPF wishes to state unequivocally that there is no such plan to cause fresh hostilities in the Niger Delta by Niger Deltans or Ijaw youths as alleged by adversaries of the region.

IPF is however shocked to hear this prevailing false intelligence report that Ijaw youths are planning to attack the military personnel or oil facilities while mourning the deaths of their kinsmen in Bayelsa State and the military officers killed at Okuama in Delta State. This unverified security report was received with a rude shock because it is not only sending bad signals at a time stakeholders and leaders in the region are working around the clock to collaborate with security agents to fish out the perpetrators or masterminds of the dead soldiers in Okuama community.

Sadly, the raid of Ijaw national leader's home and Ijaw communities is coming barely a week when the military launched a reprisal attack on a peaceful Igbomotoru community in Bayelsa State, killing over 40 residents including children, women, men and elders in search of supposedly fleeing culprits of the Okuama killing.

According to the military commanding officer in Port Harcourt Division, a tracker of the Nigerian Army had tracked one Mr. Vote, the chairman of Okuama Community, whom the Army was looking for in respect of the killings of the 17 men of the Nigerian Army, to a house in Ughelli; and that the military men had broken into the house, ransacked it, before they were informed that the house belongs to Dr. Pa Clark.

The excuse given by the military commanding officer was flimsy, and hard to believe. We can't imagine this. Kiagbodo is an Ijaw community, and Okuama is an Urhobo community. Then, how possible Urhobo people in Okuama suddenly choose Ijaw communities to be a safe haven to hide themselves? How possible is it that soldiers serving in Delta state mistake Ughelli to be Kiagbodo in Burutu LGA? Does Ughelli and Kiagbodo look alike? Does the house tracked in Ughelli looks like Pa Clark's home in Kiagbodo? It is not also clear that a tracker is tracking somewhere in Ughelli but the overzealous soldiers decided to attack Pa Clark's home in Kiagbodo? Can this be a mistake, looking at the long distance of Ughelli from Kiagbodo in Burutu LGA? We can see that enemies are at work, trying to incite provocation among Ijaw youths, as well as to give the dog a bad name in order to hang it. This clearly depicts that the military intelligence are now based on hearsay, lacking facts and evidence.

Being highly perturbed by the fake intelligence report, the IPF wishes to reiterate that Nigerian security apparatus should not be biased in its security or intelligence reports in order not to victimise and intimidate innocent residents in the Niger Delta region in spite of the recent communal land dispute which led to the gruesome killing of gallant soldiers by some irate youths in Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Meanwhile, the IPF, among other stakeholders has condemned the dastardly and unimaginable act, and this ugly incident shouldn't in any manner, suggests fresh hostility in the Niger Delta.

It is suffice to say that the military reprisal killings of innocent persons and burning down of houses in Bayelsa state were hasty and it could be measured as great injustice within the ambit of the law and a complete abuse of the fundamental human rights of the riverine dwellers in Igbomotoru community, when the military is yet to establish any fact of organised crime between Okuama community in Delta State and that of the Igbomotoru community in Bayelsa State. Similar, incidents have been happening in Northern Nigeria, but the military is yet to destroy communities and kill civilians in places such attacks and top killing of soldiers have been taking place in the Northern Nigeria.

The IPF expects that the Nigerian military, while making attempt to fish out the perpetrators or masterminds of the Okuama killing, should also observe the rules of engagement to avoid victimising innocent residents in our coastal communities.

Consequently, the Niger Delta youths and stakeholders are very much committed to hold firm the existing peace in the region following the sustained Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP. Therefore, it would be unwise for crises merchants to think of brewing bad blood among the Nigerian military and the Niger Delta region.

On this backdrop, we appeal to Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and  the Nigerian army to exercise rules of engagement and not to plunge the country into avoidable chaos as we continue to collaborate with the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the numerous challenges bedevilling the country in recent times.

The IPF among other Ijaw stakeholders and leaders urged the Nigeria government and its military to build a lasting peace to attract more investors across the globe to the impoverished but oil-rich Niger Delta. There is no gainsaying that the region at this point in time needs an existential development plan and execution from the Federal Government, especially as it is in tandem with the president's Renewed Hope agenda and this can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace.

The IPF once again, while sympathising with the Nigeria military for its loss, also call on the security agents and the Federal Government to be strategic in its approach in the hunt for the perpetrators in Okuama's killing and not give room to warmongers and opportunists with selfish interests eager to destroy the remarkable years of progress that has been achieved in the region.

May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

May God bless the Niger Delta region

May God bless the Ijaw Nation.

Signed:

Comrade Ozobo Austin

President.