From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah has heaped praises on the Auxiliary Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo and the Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University and Catholic clergy, Prof. Christian Anieke for what he described as their selfless service and uncommon commitment to humanity.

Mbah gave the commendations during separate thanksgiving Masses held at St.

The governor said, “My encounter with Bishop Obodo dates back to long before I became governor; we served together as members of the Governing Council of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu.

“Our conversations on agriculture and economic empowerment helped shape aspects of our agricultural roadmap in Enugu State today. Bishop Obodo spoke not only about increasing production, but about value addition, agro-processing, and how to empower our youth, not just by giving them fish, but by teaching them how to fish.

His humility and unwavering commitment to lifting people out of poverty are disarming. Even at a time when attracting foreign direct investment is a challenge, Bishop Obodo is already doing it through his agricultural initiatives.”

Speaking about Prof. Anieke on Sunday, Mbah described the cleric as a “priest, academic and administrator par excellence” whose life and service embody the highest ideals of sacrifice, moral integrity, and nation-building through education.

He recalled his deep ties with Godfrey Okoye University, noting that it was the very ground where he first presented his manifesto to the people of Enugu ahead of the 2023 governorship election.

He urged the congregation to continue to support Prof. Anieke, praising him as a moral compass and visionary whose work aligned perfectly with the state’s poverty eradication agenda.

“He has demonstrated how education could be used as a tool to eradicate poverty, which is in line with our administration’s policy of ending poverty through education and wealth creation,” the governor said.

According to him, “The VC epitomises a strong moral compass and values, which are already shaping lives, nurturing communities, and working for the common good of the people.”

Delivering the homily at the Godfrey Okoye University, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, praised Anieke for his accomplishments both as a priest and educational visionary.

He called on fellow priests to live exemplary lives marked by service, learning, and spiritual devotion.

“A priest must be seen as a scholar, a gentleman, a saint, and must always serve the people,” he said.

Archbishop Kaigams lauded Governor Mbah’s Administration for its developing strides and improved security of lives and property in the state.

“You have done well in security,” Kaigama told the governor.

“We commend you for the good work you have done in the state, particularly your huge investment in the security architecture of the state, which has reduced criminal activity,” he added.

The thanksgiving Masses, which also had the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Reverend Calistus Onaga, in attendance, also drew dignitaries from different spheres of life, including the academic, religious, and political spheres, all of whom paid glowing tributes to the celebrants.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments and global health partners to urgently accelerate efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat and reduce liver cancer-related deaths.

The call was made on Monday in a statement to mark World Hepatitis Day, themed “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down.

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, highlighted the urgency of the issue, stating, “Every 30 seconds, someone dies from a hepatitis-related severe liver disease or liver cancer.

“Yet we have the tools to stop hepatitis.”

“Viral hepatitis, types A, B, C, D, and E, are significant causes of acute liver infection.

“Types B, C, and D pose the greatest risk of chronic infection, which can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or cancer.”

Ghebreyesus noted that more than 300 million people worldwide were affected by hepatitis B, C, and D, which together caused more than 1.3 million deaths annually.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently reclassified hepatitis D as carcinogenic to humans, further underscoring the need for urgent intervention.

“Hepatitis D, which only affects people already infected with hepatitis B, carries a two- to six-fold higher risk of liver cancer compared to hepatitis B alone,” he added.

WHO’s incoming Director of Science for Health, Dr. Meg Doherty noted that updated guidelines on testing and diagnosing hepatitis B and D were published in 2024, and that new treatments were emerging.

“Hepatitis C can be cured with oral medication in two to three months, while hepatitis B can be managed effectively with lifelong therapy.

“Treatment options for hepatitis D are evolving,” she said.

However, she warned that the full impact of treatment and prevention would only be realised if countries scaled up and integrated hepatitis services into national health systems, including vaccination, testing, harm reduction, and treatment.

“Encouragingly, WHO reports progress: the number of countries with national hepatitis action plans has more than doubled from 59 in 2021 to 123 in 2025.

“As of 2025, 129 countries are testing pregnant women for hepatitis B, and 147 have introduced the hepatitis B birth dose vaccine, up from 138 in 2022.

“In spite of this progress, major gaps remain.”

According to WHO’s 2024 Global Hepatitis Report, only 13 percent of people with hepatitis B and 36 per cent with hepatitis C had been diagnosed by 2022.

“Treatment rates are even lower, just 3 per cent for hepatitis B and 20 per cent for hepatitis C, well below the 2025 targets of 60 per cent diagnosed and 50 per cent treated.”

Doherty emphasised that only 80 countries had integrated hepatitis services into primary healthcare, 128 into HIV programmes, and just 27 had included hepatitis C services in harm reduction centres.

“Achieving WHO’s 2030 targets could save 2.8 million lives and prevent 9.8 million new infections.

“With declining donor support, countries must prioritise domestic investment, integrated services, better data, affordable medicines, and the elimination of stigma.

“To commemorate World Hepatitis Day, WHO is partnering with Rotary International and the World Hepatitis Alliance to ramp up global and local advocacy.

“This year’s campaign calls for urgent action to address the increasing toll of liver cancer linked to chronic hepatitis and to eliminate barriers such as stigma and funding gaps that hinder prevention and treatment.

“The partnership highlights the essential role of civil society and community leadership, alongside governments, in sustaining momentum and accelerating progress,” she said.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commenced a nationwide promotion exercise involving over 2,000 personnel.

A statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Olusegun Ogungbemide on Monday in Abuja said that the exercise was one of the most far-reaching staff promotion exercises in the history of the Corps.

Ogungbemide said that it was another bold and highly transformative move that was setting a new standard for purpose and impact in public service.

He said that the ongoing promotion exercise, which cuts across all sectors of the Corps, would see about 2000 Officers and Marshals being considered for elevation to their next ranks.

This, he said, was ranging from the rank of Chief Route Commander down to Assistant Route Commander and other Marshal cadres.

“This initiative is not just a routine administrative activity.

“It is a statement of intent, a reflection of Corps Marshal’s faith in staff welfare, commitment to professional development, and resolve to achieve institutional excellence.

“Since his appointment as Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed has consistently emphasised the critical role that a motivated and well-recognised workforce plays.”

He said the development would not only restore hope among officers, but also reinforce the culture of reward for diligence, dedication, and integrity.

Ogungbemide said that the ongoing promotion wave was meticulously planned to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and fairness, with all qualified personnel across the 12 Zonal Commands included in the process.

He said that the development had already sparked excitement and renewed morale within the Corps, with many personnel describing it as a “new dawn” for the FRSC workforce.

“Beyond promotions, the Corps Marshal has rolled out various welfare enhancing policies in recent months.

“This is ranging from improved training and capacity building programmes to better living and working conditions, as well as stronger mechanisms for staff feedback and engagement.

“In addition to the foregoing, he has also introduced other progressive staff welfare initiatives, including improved working conditions, transparent performance assessments, and targeted housing programmes.

“Expectedly, the Corps Marshal has also made it clear that this is only the beginning, ” he said.

Ogungbemide quoted the Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed as reiterating his resolve to build a professional, highly motivated, and people-centered Corps.

This, he said, was capable of delivering world-class road safety management in line with international standards.

“As the promotion process nears completion, expectations are high that this bold reform will usher in a stronger, more professional Corps that is better positioned to tackle road safety challenges across the nation.

“That is why for many within the Corps, this is not just a career boost, it is an affirmation of worth, a revival of professional dignity, and a signal that hard work truly pays under visionary leadership.

“As the FRSC navigates the challenges of modern traffic management in an ever-growing country, one thing is now clear: staff welfare is no longer an afterthought, it is a driving force,” he said.