News
Reps Query 44 Nigerian Deaths …Drill Hajj Commission, Walk-Out SEC Team
The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs yesterday in Abuja expressed worry over the death of 44 Nigerians during the 2012 Hajj, describing it as ‘unacceptable.’
The Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, and other committee members, expressed concern during the budget defence by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Ukeje, who took exception to the high level of deaths recorded during the Hajj, said that the death of 44 pilgrims was worrisome.
She attributed it to the alleged dirty and unhygienic condition that Nigerian pilgrims, especially the women, went through during the last Hajj.
The lawmaker directed the commission to forward a full report on the 2012 Hajj operations to the committee as soon as possible.
She said the report should include particular reference to where the Nigerian pilgrims encountered difficulties and the unprecedented death of 44 Nigerian pilgrims. “I will expect a full report from you on this Hajj operation of 2012,” she said.
She, however, congratulated the commission for its success at the last Hajj, especially the handling of the issue of male guardian where sizeable numbers of Nigerian female pilgrims were returned to the country for lack of a mahram.
In his presentation, Alhaji Mohammad Bello, the Chairman of the commission, said that the 2012 Hajj was smooth in spite of the initial hiccups.
He said the commission made a budget proposal of N724 million for the 2013 fiscal year.
Bello said the N724 million was made up of N524.46 million for Recurrent and N200 million for Capital expenditure.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Monday, in Abuja walked out officials of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from a meeting with revenue generating agencies of government.
It will be recalled that the Senate and the House after investigating the near-collapse of the Capital market, resolved not to have anything to do with the commission, unless the Director- General, Ms Arunma Oteh was sacked.
The members of the lower chamber of the National Assembly had called on President Goodluck Jonathan to sack Oteh.
The SEC Board sent Oteh on compulsory leave in order to enable external auditors examine the records of the commission’s transactions covering projects she supervised, but she was later recalled by the Presidency.
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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