RivEthics

Greetings to the great people of Rivers State, and welcome to another episode of Rivethics on Radio, our character-building weekend show. Please remember that Prevention is not merely better than cure, it’s less expensive, less painful and less traumatic. Our topic today is the Health Effect of Soot in Rivers State.

You can also listen to and download the Pidgin English version of this Episode below

Greetings to the peace-loving people of Rivers State, and welcome to another episode of Rivethics on Radio, our character-building weekend show. Please remember that environmental pollution is a serious incurable disease. It can only be prevented. Our topic today is Environmental Responsibility and the Black Soot Challenge in Rivers State.

Environmental degradation and pollution are global challenges that have been recognised by the international community and individual nations as critical and closely related factors to all the other major challenges of the human race, for example, health and well-being, economic empowerment, etc.

While some powerful members of the global community play down on the threat of environmental pollution (obviously for political gains), we in Rivers State are living witnesses that certain unhealthy environmental practices could lead to very serious health consequences capable of spelling doom for millions of people.

The advent of the black soot in our beautiful Garden City and its environs, has been a major source for concern for residents, health professionals and environmentalists. Many fear the long term effect of the continued onslaught of this microscopic particles which have been identified as capable of causing multiple health conditions for over 6 million people, especially the weak and vulnerable members of the society, like women, children, the elderly, the disabled, the sick, etcetra.

So far, it is common knowledge that both the Federal and State governments have placed this black soot problem on the front burner. There has been a lot of discussions and it is apparent that all hands are on deck to find a quick end to the menace. While we await the results of these measures, we must all resolve to minimize the impact of the black soot on our individual health.

I use this forum to call on Rivers people to become very well-informed about the black soot problem and how to avoid harm by increasing your personal hygienic practices of washing your hands regularly, washing your foods, fruits and vegetables thoroughly, cleaning the house and environs (including mopping dusty surfaces and cleaning air conditioner vents), wearing clothes that cover the body adequately, having regular showers, etcetera. Parents, community heads, church leaders and youth mentors should take personal interest in ensuring that our children adhere strictly to these ideals in order to guarantee their safety, good health and well-being during this period of environmental emergency in our dear State.

Our guest speakers today are Mr. Robinson Tombari Sibe, an education specialist and Mr. Eugene Abels, a social advocate and change agent. They will both throw more light on this topic. Please enjoy the episode.

Our caring Rivers People, please remember to always let your manners speak for you.

God bless and keep you and your families and God bless Rivers State.

Her Excellency, Justice (Mrs.) Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, The Wife of the Governor of Rivers State and Initiator of the RivEthics Character Development Programme.

You can also listen to and download the Pidgin English version of this Episode below

Greetings to the sweet and loving people of Rivers State, and welcome to another episode of Rivethics on Radio, our character-building weekend show. Please remember that if children can’t learn the way we teach, we should teach the way children can learn . Our topic today is Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Based on research, experts have declared that Autism is not a disability. Rather, it is a different ability. This is so notwithstanding that the definition of autism is loaded with words like “deficit,” “disorder,” “impaired” and “restricted.” That is to say that autism does not diminish a person as a human being. Autism is not a disorder of thinking or a lack of intelligence. Autism is not a disease that we should try to cure. Rather, it is a challenge we should try to understand. We must be aware that kids with autism can experience sensory overload and that creating teaching opportunities around an autistic child’s interests can help him learn. We must also be aware that Autism can affect every sense: sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.

Though the senses of autistic persons may be overwhelmed,and their bodies may be disorganized or uncooperative, but their minds are far more competent than is apparent. As we discover more people with autism who eventually develop speech or other ways to communicate, we realise the same thing again and again: “They are smart and we must tell it.”

From the foregoing, our responsibility is to presume that people with autism are competent, and then go about looking for ways to help them demonstrate it. If you’re a parent, tell your child what’s going on in the family, in the world — all the interesting things that you would share with another child. Hold up your end of the conversation even if they don’t hold up theirs. Create teaching opportunities out of their own interests. Give them the dignity to be embraced as ordinary people who need to discover themselves. Teach them and read to them even without needing a test at the end. Assume that they listen; that they appreciate; that they love, while we keep looking for ways for their mouths or their hands to tell us.

Love is essential here. We must love them as they are. Not love them for who they might have been without autism, or for who they might be if they were “cured,” but as people who need to be nothing other than who they are, to be loved and accepted. Because when we do that, we open the door for them to share a meaningful life with us, without having to take an admission test. We start seeing the gifts of people with autism, not the limitations. We start to think less in terms of disability and more in terms of humanity.

Our guest speaker this weekend is Mrs Ijeoma Abudasim. She is a PhD Research Student at the Department of Educational Psychology Guidance and Counseling at the University of Port Harcourt. She will throw more light on the subject. Please enjoy the episode.

Our dutiful Rivers People, please remember to always let your manners speak for you.

God bless and keep you and your families and God bless Rivers State.

Her Excellency, Justice (Mrs.) Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, The wife of the Governor of Rivers State and initiator of the RiveEthics Character Development Programmme.

You can also listen to and download the Pidgin English version of this Episode below

Greetings to the warm-hearted people of Rivers State, and welcome to another episode of Rivethics on Radio, our character-building weekend show. Please remember that we are what we eat. Therefore we must eat healthy to stay healthy. Our topic today is the World Health Day, which comes up today, April the 7th with the theme, Universal Health Coverage (UHC for short).

You can also listen to and download the Pidgin English version of this Episode below

Greetings to the lovely people of Rivers State, and welcome to the Easter episode of Rivethics on Radio, our character-building weekend show. Please remember that Easter also means that when they bury truth in a grave, it will not stay there. Our topic this weekend is on the Lessons of Easter.

You can also listen to and download the Pidgin English version of this Episode below