News
‘Women, Major Victims Of Boko Haram’
The National President of Women in PENGASAN (WIP), Comrade Izeoma Nwachukwu, has decried the high mortality rate of women in Nigeria through the violent activities of Boko Haram and other violent practices that inflict pains on women and children.
Comrade Nwachukwu who gave the hint while speaking at a one-day seminar on the rights of the girl child, organised by the women wing of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Rivers State, at Community Primary School Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt, recently, said “the population of women and children was fast deplaeting in the country as over 80% of victims of bomb attacks by the Boko Hama Islamic sect were defenseless women and children.”
“Women are exposed to all forms of debased cultural and social practices that mostly result in untold suffering and deaths,” she added.
She emphasized that women bear the brunt of the insecurity in the country, and other oppression from a male-chauvinistic society.
Commenting on the right of the girl-child, the national president, said the United Nations objectives on girl-child development should be domesticated in Nigeria through enabling laws that will enhance the realisation of the full potentials of womanhood.
She called on the federal and state legislatures to ensure that laws are made to protect the girl-child against practices such as, early marriages, sexual abuse, among others.
In her remark, the chairperson of TUC women wings Sarah Ugbogo, called on mothers as the first-teachers to cultivate the right value system for proper development and actualization of the full potentials of the girl-child.
She canvassed for equal opportunities for the girl-child and their male counterpart in terms of educational development and noted that the gill child is equally gifted with the right capacity for impacting positively on society, as exemplified by notable Nigerian women, such Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Dora Akunyili.
Also speaking, the Hon Commissioner for Women Affairs in Rivers State, Mrs Joeba West, commended the TUC women wing for the seminar and assured the support of her ministry in the protection of the rights of women.
The commissioner who was represented by the Director of Women Affairs, Mr Blessing Dienye, said that measures are in place to ensure that violators of child’s rights are prosecuted.
Taneh Beemene
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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