News
Zoning Is Evil – Clark
Frontline leader and elder statesman of the Niger Delta, Chief Edwin Clark says zoing the presidency is an evil means employed by a few Northerners to deceive Nigerians and deny the South-South their right to produce a president come 2010.
Chief Clark who spoke to our correspondent in an interview at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, yesterday, declared that the so-called zoning agreement, “if any, was dead long ago as there was a breach.
“The so-called zoning, much talked about now, by Northerners died long ago as there was a breach. It is a way of trying to stop us from ruling the country. If Atiku Abubakar knew that there was zoning agreement in 1999, why did he plan to overthrow his boss, Obasanjo after it was decided that the West should rule?
According to him, the North has ruled for 38 years, West 12 years, East only 6 months while the South producing 90 per cent of the nation’s wealth has not ruled for one day, “a situation that should not be allowed to continue if we say we are one country. God says enough is enough and that is why Jonathan is now in the right place God gave him.”
He noted that the South-South people have taken their stand based on the Calabar Declaration of 2007, “when we resolved that the South-South should rule the country.” He pointed out that the position had been made very clear and communicated to the Northerners through an organization called the “Congress for Equality and Change.”
The Niger Delta leader said “we are negotiating with the North and majority of the Northerners are with Jonathan.”
Chief Clark who was in Port Harcourt for the inauguration of the Ijaw National Congress (IYC) new executive, described President Goodluck Jonathan as well qualified, well educated, a politician of high repute who has been tested and proven to be capable of ruling the country.
On the rate of kidnapping in the South-East, he simply said “when youths in Niger Delta started kidnapping expertriats working in oil companies, they were fighting a cause but now that those in the South-East are kidnapping, they are not doing it for a cause but for money, so Goodluck for them.”
Shedie Okpara
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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