News
RSG To Reconstitute Muslim Prilgrims Board
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has hinted of plans to reconstitute the State Muslim Pilgrims Board.
Amaechi gave the hint while playing host to a delegation of Muslim faithfuls in Rivers State during a Sallah visit to Government House,at the weekend in Port Harcourt.
While commending them in the way and manner they resolved their internal leadership crisis, the governor said it was high time the pilgrims board was expanded,” saying now that you have resolved the crisis, you people need to meet and send me some few names for appointment into the Muslim Pilgrims Board ‘’.
He, however, lauded the chairman of the board for his perfomance so far, assuring that the state Government was ready to partner with them in any area of development.
The governor also sued for unity and peaceful co-exisence amongst Muslims and Christians,” adding that the way to celebrate this ceremony will be to say to you that it is important that all of us, whether Christians or Muslims remain peaceful because killing is a crime in Christian religion and I also think it is also a crime in the Muslim religion, so we should not join all those who are involved in terrorism, in whatever form because they are destroying our religion and the economy of the country.
“We sympathize with those who have suffered different losses from this crime, and say to you that the Rivers State Government is very willing to partner with you people in whatever form.”
Responding to the call by the body to include Muslims in the scheme of things, Governor Amaechi remarked that his administration is open to all sections, but stressed that competitiveness and competence remain the hallmark of his government.
“I was delighted to know that the Chairman of Degema Local Government Area is a Muslim. We don’t appoint or elect people based on religion, that is why he won because he won in a predominantly Christian settlement. That would show you that we don’t choose based on whether you are a Christian or a Muslim”, the governor said.
“We will be delighted to see more qualified Muslims in Rivers State competing with Christians and other people of different religions in public office so that they can come and serve government”.
In his address, the Rivers State Islamic leader and Vice President General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor said the Muslim festival of Eid-el Adha “celebrated not only Prophet Ibrahim’s unquestioning surrender to the will of Allah but also that of his son, Ismael, whom Allah ordered should be sacrificed to Him but whom he ransomed with a ram”.
According to him, “Islam is a religion of peace, good health and unity of mankind. It does not in any way encourage violence, let alone murder. As a matter of fact, Islam stridently denounces anyone that kills, encourages or orders others to kill as a disbeliever”.
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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