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NSF: Petty Traders, Caterers Make Brisk Business At Venues
Petty traders and caterers are smiling to the banks with increased sales, at the venues of the 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt
.At venues which include the Port Harcourt Club 1928, Port Harcourt Golf Course, Township School,Moscow Road among others, the traders were seen selling various forms of goods to customers.
Miss Lucy Briggs, a restaurant owner at Moscow Road said that business had been good since the festival commenced in the city.
“There cannot be a better form of democratic dividend than what we are witnessing presently, as we make unimaginable profits.
“Most of the athletes and officials detest the food served them at their various abodes and we provide a ready source of alternative to them.
“I Thank Gov. Rotimi Amechi for ensuring that the state hosted the festival despite earlier hitches, as it would showcase the state’s culture and hospitality to visitors from various states,” she said.
Master Uche Ikpeolu, a GSM recharge card seller at Port Harcourt Club 28, said he now makes quick turnover to the admiration of his master.
“I wish this sports festival would not end as most times, I do not even meet up to the demands of the customers, who seem to be increasing by the minutes.
“The only sore point is that I have been tempted to abandon school for now, as I cannot withstand the lure of recording huge sales on daily basis,” he said.
Mrs Agatha Wolu, a provisions dealer beside the Port Harcourt Golf Course, said that she was happy with the development as her rapid sales had enabled her meet up to her family’s domestic demands.
“I was worried about the payment of my children’s school fees but with rate of sales at present, I am optimistic of making enough money before the end of the festival, to pay the fees”, she intoned.
Mr Dapa Davids, a social commentator expressed worry that the boom in various businesses during the festival would dissuade most children from attending schools.
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.
