News
Amaechi Tasks Leaders On Honesty, Accountability
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, has stressed the need for those at the helm of affairs of the state to exhibit optimum honesty, sincerity, dedication and accountability in the discharge of their statutory obligations to achieve the overall objective of the present administration in the state.
Engr. Ikuru said this at the closing ceremony of a 5-day retreat organised by the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for administrators of the state government at Calabar, Cross River State.
Representing the state chief executive at the retreat tagged, “The journey so far-are we on track, held at the Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar, Engr. Ikuru said the forum provided an opportunity for leaders of the state to examine and re-examine the performances of the Amaechi-Ied government and proffer solutions for further improvement.
His words, “Today marks another milestone as we have looked at ourselves, tell ourselves the home truth and agree that there’s need for change and think of good governance that will bring democratic benefits to our people as well as change the civil service, the engine room of governance. We have agreed that there’s need for improvement”.
According to the deputy governor, “the occasion has given us a new mindset as no one can now say that he or she does not know the thinking of government,” and urged the participants and Rivers people to reason together with a view to fighting corruption and other vices that militate against the growth and development of the state.
He emphasised the need for both public and civil servants to retrace their steps and channel their thoughts towards things capable of glorifying the state and improving the living standard of the people, saying, “if you do not know where the goal-post is and you want to score, you must come back and don’t claim ignorant of what you did”.
Commending the participants comprising Governor Chibuike Amaechi, the chief organiser, the Speaker, State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Magnus Abe, the Head of Service, Mrs. Esther Anucha, members of the State Executive Council, local government council chairmen, heads of ministerial departments and parastatals, special advisers among others, Engr. Ikuru declared, “we are now on the same page having come so far and we are on track”.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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