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‘Parents Risk Prosecution’ …Amaechi Celebrates Children’s Day, Morrow
Following the signing of the Child Right Bill into law in the state, the Rivers State Government has vowed to prosecute parents and guardians who fail to enrol their children in schools.
The warning was given by Governor Amaechi at an inter-denominational church service held to commemorate this year’s children’s day by the state Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation at the weekend.
Speaking through his deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru, Governor Amaechi said modalities are being worked out by the state government to beef up children’s school enrolment and therefore called on the church to partner with government.
He said the state has taken bold steps towards improving children education by embarking on the construction of new model primary and secondary schools across the state.
Governor Amaechi also called on teachers and the church to improve the teaching of morals and good values to children, while urging the children to emulate good characters as leaders of tomorrow.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Hon Joe Poroma noted that it was high time children were given their rightful place in society.
Hon Poroma, who assured that the state government was poised to improving the lots of children, charged parents and guardians to give their wards quality training and education since the future belongs to them.
Speaking on the theme: “Partnering for improved nutrition for mother and child”, Bishop of the Niger Delta North Diocese (Anglican Communion), Most Rev Ignatius Kattey charged parents and teachers to teach their children good morals and values.
Rev Kattey remarked that the foundation for the future generation would not be strong when society produces children who are not well oriented.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is set to declare open this year’s children’s day in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The ceremony which is slated to hold at the Isaac Boro Park would witness march past and special performances by children both in public and private schools.
Ikuru said the state has commenced the training and retraining of teachers for effective knowledge transmission and teaching of good morals in children.
On Monday, an inter-school quiz competition was organised by the state Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, during which Jephtah Comprehensive Secondary School came first followed by Community Secondary School Oroworokwo , Nkpolu while Methodist Girls Secondary School came third.
However, as the state clocks 43years on Thursday, The Tide newspapers is set to chronicle the events that led to the creation of the state in its formative years and the present scenario.
It would be recalled that Rivers State was created on May 27th, 1967 few months to the out break of the Nigeria /Biafra civil crisis.
Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff, then a young Naval officer was assigned to administer the state. Diete-Spiff finally took over power from Dr Elechi Amadi then a captain in the army and interim administrator of Port Harcourt.
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.
