By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Experts in health sector on Friday, screened over 800 people for Tuberculosis (TB), in some selected rural communities in Abuja.

The screening exercise that was in commemoration of 2026 World Tuberculosis Day, organized by Debriche health development CENTRE (DHDC), Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, FCT Tuberculosis program and Partners, .

And those that were confirmed to be infected with TB were immediately referred to life-saving treatment, care and support services, with ongoing contact tracing.

The team visited targeted communities and schools in Karshi and the dense settlements of Dutsen Alhaji in Bwari, in FCT.

The team successfully screened over 800 persons, including children and teachers, across these locations. From this initial group, 69 persons were identified as presumptive requiring further clinical investigation. Those confirmed positive have been immediately linked to available life-saving treatment, care and support services, with ongoing contact tracing”.

The experts that participated in the out reach, expressed their excitement on the out come.

Mrs Deborah Ikeh , Executive Director DHDC, Nigeria, said “Every person with TB identified early represents a transmission chain broken and a proactive strike against the complex challenge of drug-resistant TB. We are excited about the outcome of this intervention”.

Dr. Titilayo Ilesanmi, Childhood TB Focal Person, FCT TB Programme, said, “This fieldwork aligns directly with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme targets for World TB Day 2026 and we are delighted to have partners like DHDC, ARFH, and KNCV Nigeria with us on this Journey”.

They lamented that TB remains a critical public health threat in Nigeria. When left undetected, or wrongly managed, the disease not only jeopardises a person’s physical development but also creates the perfect environment for drug-resistant strains to emerge.

They agreed that, protecting vulnerable populations sometimes requires moving health interventions beyond traditional clinic walls and taking awareness, screening and testing services to their doorsteps.

Their main objective is to provide comprehensive TB awareness, immediate screening, and on-the-spot testing for persons who might otherwise fall through the cracks of the standard health system.

“This programme is an eye opener for all of us here in this school. We are now better informed of TB, its signs and symptoms and the help that is available. People with TB are not to be stigmatized. I call on community members to consider them as humans like us”, Shafiratu Inua Adha , Head teacher of Karshi Muslim Forum

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has called for stronger collaboration with host communities to enhance the security of oil and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta.

The company, which is responsible for safeguarding the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and the Eastern Gas Network (EGN), said active community participation remains key to reducing pipeline vandalism and oil theft.

Speaking at the March Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting with host communities in Bayelsa State, PINL’s General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholders Engagement, Dr.

According to him, when communities take ownership of oil and gas assets within their environment, they are more committed to protecting them.
“At PINL, we hold firmly to one guiding principle: community partnership is national security. When communities protect infrastructure, they protect livelihoods, national revenue, and the future of our country,” Mezeh said.

He commended stakeholders for their cooperation, noting that improved collaboration has significantly curtailed incidents of oil theft and vandalism across operational corridors.

Mezeh also disclosed that disbursement of scholarships to students from host communities has commenced, while plans are underway to roll out women empowerment programmes upon completion of enrolment processes.

The company reiterated its 2026 priorities, including sustaining zero infractions along the TNP and EGN corridors, expanding empowerment initiatives, strengthening community intelligence systems, and enhancing stakeholder engagement platforms.

However, the PINL official expressed concern over a recent case of suspected sabotage in the Otukpoti axis of Bayelsa State, attributing it to negligence by surveillance personnel. He warned that the company would not tolerate any form of compromise.

“Any act of negligence, compromise, or collusion will not be tolerated. Contractors found wanting will not only lose their contracts but will face full prosecution,” he said.

Also speaking, the Head of Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office of NNPCL, Engr. Akponime Omojevwhe, cautioned surveillance contractors and guards against dereliction of duty.

He said incidents of vandalism often occur either through collusion or absence of personnel on duty, adding that those responsible would be held accountable.

“We don’t want such incidents to recur. Surveillance guards and supervisors must account for any breach, and those found culpable will be arrested,” he said.

In their remarks, stakeholders commended PINL’s engagement strategy and community-focused initiatives.

Vice President 2 of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Alabo Nengi James, praised the company’s empowerment programmes and pledged continued support in protecting pipeline infrastructure.

Similarly, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Bubaraye Dakolo, said PINL’s approach of engaging communities has helped reduce vandalism in the region.

He called for greater Federal Government support to strengthen the company’s operations.
The Secretary-General, Central Zone of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Comrade Efere Azibantor, also lauded the company’s skill acquisition and scholarship programmes, noting that they are helping to make youths in the region more self-reliant.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum (Phase 3) on Friday made it clear that the 30,000 ex-agitators in the Presidential Amnesty Programme have never had it so good as they are currently experiencing under the stewardship of Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro.

They said the Amnesty Programme which before now was characterized by corruption and other sharp practices is now on its right path, with targeted policies to effect the desired change and redirect the programme towards the attainment of its core objectives which is focused on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration.

In a statement issued by the Forum and made available to our correspondent via email said,in the past two years, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro’s leadership has focused extensively on enhancing stakeholder engagement, ensuring timely stipend payments, and promoting merit-based education and vocational training for ex-agitators across the Niger Delta region.

The statement further said, after two years in office, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, who in all ramification is a seasoned administrator and technocrat, deserves all the accolades he is getting right now, saying because he has established a transparent, accountable, and reform-driven administration since taking office in 2024.

“These achievements wouldn’t be possible without the huge support from the federal government and also the collaboration of all Niger Delta stakeholders including the Amnesty beneficiaries.

“We want to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency, the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro to coordinate the affairs of the Amnesty Office.

“The President has done well by giving us, Niger Delta people the recognition we deserve in his administration and we want to assure him of our unalloyed support ahead of the 2027 Presidential election.

“As beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the NIGER DELTA EX-AGITATORS FORUM (PHASE 3) heartily felicitates our brother and leader, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro on his second anniversary in office and charge him not to rest on his oars in the pursuit of the core mandates of the Amnesty Programme and sustainable peace and development of our region.

‘True Leadership is not just about making the right decisions; it is about having the courage to stand behind them, even when they fail’.
Accountability is the bridge between intention and results, many of our leaders in Nigeria today constantly shy away from accountability because it feels uncomfortable.

“In the case of the Presidential Amnesty Programme under the able leadership of Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, the past two years have been phenomenal. We are particularly happy to say that he has performed creditably and beyond our expectations when compared to his predecessors”.

The Ex-agitators Forum (Phase 3) condemned the several attacks on the illustrious son of the Niger Delta, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo over the federal government pipeline surveillance contract awarded to his company, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

“We are emphatic in our condemnation of the allegations of misappropriation of funds, kidnapping, terrorism funding and several other crimes against humanity leveled against our two illustrious sons, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo during a sponsored-protest in Washington DC in the United States.

“Those spearheading these wicked and callous allegations are well known to us. The federal government and security agencies know them and their action has become a major source of concern to all stakeholders as it portends huge danger to peace in the Niger Delta.

“We are calling on the disgraced former Amnesty Staff, Jude Gbaboyor, who is being sponsored by former militant leader, Chief Ebikabowei Victor Ben alias BoyLoaf and his bandwagon of misfits to stop this wicked propaganda against Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo and several other Niger Delta leaders.

“We are grateful to the federal government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo the much needed support, through the prompt release of funds to the Amnesty Office to carry various impactful programmes as well as the continued surveillance of pipelines to curb oil theft in the region.

“We also are unanimous in our decision to continue to promote and support all peace initiatives driven by the Presidential Amnesty Programme under the guidance of Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, and well supported by the federal government. We ask all Niger Delta leaders and youths to remain steadfast with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has shown uncommon love for our people in his government and the development of our region”, the statement concluded.