News
400 Directors Scramble For Perm Sec Seats In Rivers
About 400 persons are to write qualifying examination for appointment as substantive directors to the position of Permanent Secretaries in the Rivers State Public Service scheduled to hold on June 7, 2013.
This was disclosed by the Head of Service, Barr Samuel LongJohn while declaring open a two-day refresher course for substantive directors in the state public service held at the main bowl of the Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt
Barrister LongJohn said the refresher course, which was preparatory for the qualifying examination, was organised to acquaint them of what to expect at the examination in view of their diverse professions.
He said the policy of conducting qualifying examination was in line with the adoption of a Federal Government policy to ensure credibility and transparency in the appointment of Permanent Secretaries as well as get the best from available manpower in the service considering the vital role played by the civil service in the implementation of policies and programmes of government.
The Head of Service explained that participation at the workshop was restricted to substantive Directors who had been on that position for five years and more in order to adhere to hierarchy and to accommodate a manageable number in view of the large number of directors in the service.
He expressed gratitude to the facilitators and resource persons for making the workshop possible in spite of the short notice, and advised participants to take the course seriously and make adequate preparations for the examination.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare in the Office of the Head of Service, Mr. Lambert Ekwueme thanked the Head of Service for organising the Refresher Course which would go a long way in preparing the directors for the examinations as well as enhance their service delivery capacity.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Directors Forum, Chief Jonathan Gunn commended the Head of Service for his contributions to the suspension of the tenure policy for directors and Permanent Secretaries, and appealed for speedy implementation of Grade Level 17 for Directors in the state public service.
Papers presented at the workshop include Public Service Rules by Elder Mike Whetode, Financial Regulations by Dr. George Nwaeke and Rivers State Policy Trust by Mr. A. C. O. Amakiri.
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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