News
Mothering Sunday: Transformation Should Begin From Families, Says Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan said in Abuja, yesterday, that for the nation to experience transformation, all families must go through a transformation process.
The president’s statement was contained in a goodwill message he delivered at Aso Villa Chapel, Abuja.
“If we bring up our children in the fear of the Lord, most of what we experience today in the nation would not arise.
“We hear of cultism and students hacking one another, this doesn’t speak well; transformation should begin from within. I agree with you, we as fathers or mothers should transform our families because once we transform our families, the nation will be transformed,’’ the president said.
The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, in her Mothers’ Day address, thanked Nigerian mothers for their strength and urged them to take stock of the role of men as a Christian mother.
“We must as Christian, mothers and women seize this opportunity to examine ourselves and consider whether we are playing the roles expected of us as home makers, care givers, peace-makers and bridge-builders.
“To be successful in our roles as wives and mothers, we should take time to study all the individual members of our families with a view to measure the value of what they do for a living.
“If a child is good, it will reflect on his community and ultimately the nation. If we bring up these children in the fear of the Lord, there’ll be peace in this nation,’’ Patience said.
She urged men to “show love to their wives, sisters and mothers because it is from your wife people measure who you are.’’
In a sermon, titled, “A Christian Woman in Times Like These’’, Mrs Florence Onwusiribe, said “women must be prayerful, prudent and learn to hear from God.’’
She said that “a Christian woman is one who has a regenerated spirit and impacts on the lives of others, putting in what it takes physically and spiritually, adding that most of the ills in the society today are because most mothers did not do their homework well.
“We have also ignored God. Even in our national anthem, we stop in stanza one ignoring the second stanza, which is a prayer for our beloved nation and its leaders.”
Our correspondent reports that presentations were made to the first lady, the president’s mother and other women, who had excelled in various departments in the chapel.
Prayers were offered to God for the first family for direction and for all wives and mothers to be supporters of their husbands and good mothers to all children.
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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