News
Atlantic Beach Party; Amaechi Has Opened Ikuru Town To Tourism -Deputy Gov
President Goodluck Jonathan (left), receiving a centenary greeting card from the national president, Road Transport Employer’s Association of Nigeria (rtean), Chief Musa Shehu, during the visit of rtean executives to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday. With them is the Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar. Photo: NAN
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, says the Ogoni/Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Unity Road has opened up Ikuru Town in Andoni Local Government Area to limitless economic opportunities.
Engr. Ikuru said this at the weekend during the 2nd Ikuru Town Atlantic Beach Party held at the Atlantic shoreline behind Ikuru Town.
“Governor Amaechi has made this possible by constructing the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro unity road. This has now made Ikuru Town easily accessible for businesses and has created an avenue for tourism to blossom which is what we are enjoying today. With this road we will soon begin to see hotels and industries cropping here,” he said.
Describing the carnival-like beach party which also had in attendance, the 2013 CARNIRIV Free Style event winners, Treasure Base Band, as an asset whose tourism potentials had not been discovered, Engr. Ikuru declared “it is a new discovery that is bound to open doors of opportunities and attract investments to this area with prospects of creating several job opportunities, thereby improving the local economy”.
He assured that the 2015 edition would be bigger and stronger, organization and package-wise, stressing, “we will see a much much bigger occasion than what we saw today”.
Earlier, the Director General of the State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), Mr. Sam Dede commended the indigenes of Ikuru Town for the novel initiative, saying “it’s exciting to see the beauty of nature blossoming with great passion and magnificence. I mean just standing by the ocean, celebrating and partying together is simply “wow”. It’s beyond description. Nobody thought there exists such a recreational edifice as this in Rivers State”.
He disclosed that RSTDA was already strategizing and exploring avenues of partnership with the organizers to harness the potentials of the event towards making it even bigger and groovier in 2015.
The event which pleasantly dazzled under the gazing and blazing sun in the open air filled with the freshness of the sea breeze oozing from the ocean featured several exciting games whose winners carted away handsome prizes ranging from deep freezers, to refrigerators, microwave ovens, electronic gadgets among others and was well attended by indigenes and fun seekers from within and outside the state.
Earlier, winners had also emerged from the marathon event which would come easily as the first riverine marathon perhaps in Nigeria. Over 135 athletes participated in the race which stretched a distance of 8km.
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.
-
News19 hours ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics3 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News3 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News20 hours ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports3 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics3 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics3 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Politics3 days agoOtu Vows To Recall Indolent, Arrogant Cross River Legislators