By Barth Ozah
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on Thursday inaugurated the newly elected executive committee of Association of Community Newspapers Publishers of Nigeria at its 2024 Lectures and Awards Ceremony.
Governor Oborevwori who was represented at the ceremony by his Political Adviser, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo advised the new executive to justify the confidence reposed on them by their members.
He decried the challenges posed by newspaper publishers urging them to be resilient and focused on reporting issues affecting rural communities.
The governor pleaded with oil and gas companies whose major operations are in the rural communities to make budgetary provisions to support community newspaper publishers.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Doctor Isaac Akpoveta has given assurance that sixty per cent of residents in the state will be covered in the health scheme of the Commission next year.
Doctor Akpoveta stated this during an interview with newsmen shortly after being presented with an award of excellence in appreciation of his contribution to the health centre by the Association of Community Newspapers Publishers of Nigeria at its 2024 Lectures and Awards Ceremony.
He said over 2.4 million residents of Delta State had been enrolled into the contributory health scheme so far .
He pointed out that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had committed over ten billion naira on the scheme as equity payment for pregnant women, under five aged children and the physically challenged ones who according to him do not pay for healthcare in any hospital.
He urged parents to register their children under five years at any health centre and hospital free of charge to access free healthcare services.
The Delta State Contributory Health Commission Director General who dedicated the award he received to Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for according priority to the health programme, used the occasion to appeal to well to do Deltans to purchase health premium of seven thousand naira yearly, for the less privileged residents of the state as part of their contributions to achieving universal health coverage .
”I dedicate the award to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his MORE Agenda, for using his political will, financial support, and professional grassroots sagacity to make the scheme achieve the desired results.The Governor is the owner of the MORE Agenda which simply means go out there, and bring more Deltans especially the vulnerable, who ordinarily can not afford to pay for health scheme . The Governor has made it clear that every pregnant woman in Delta State is entitled to free healthcare; from the date of conception to delivery whether by normal delivery or cearcerian.” Akpoveta said.
He revealed that the Delta State Contributory Health Commission had received numerous awards, saying that Delta is ranked number one state in the country with the highest enrollees and also best health insurance organisation in Nigeria and also in West Africa.
While expressing gratitude to media professionals for good coverage of the activities of the commission in all parts of the state, Doctor Akpoveta said the Commission would intensify efforts in sensitizing all Deltans on the importance of the scheme.
Earlier, in his welcome speech, the outgone chairman, of ACNPN, comrade Jude Obiemenyego commended the state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for supporting and making the occasion a success.
Obiemenyego added that the occasion is an annual event of the association where the association honour deserving personalities and cooperate organisations that have contributed to the growth and development of communities and beyond.
The 2024 ACNPN publisher’s week lecture and award ceremony has as it theme: “The incessant killings in the country, building synergy between the governments and grassroots for effective remedy. Imperative of cooperative society, it’s impact on Nigerians and Nigeria economic growth”.
Highlights of the ceremony was inauguration of officers elected to various offices in the 2024 ACNPN Exco election, they are:
1. Chairman: Abiagom Ike Philip
2. Vice Chairman: Onyenweli Mercy
3. Secretary: Ekele Alaska
4. Assistant Secretary: Okolie Mayor-Charity
5. Treasurer: Segun Answer
6. Financial Secretary: Eboagu Cyprian
7. Auditor: Solomon Ogala
8. Provost: Mike Maha
9. PRO: Chukwuha Jude Oluchukwu