News
RSG Spends N8bn On Scholarships
Commissioner, Rivers Civil Service Commission, Mr Jonah Tomuno, Acting Chairman of the Commission, Mr Kingston Jaja and Director , Rivers State Local Government Commission, Mr Moses Yalla, at a training workshop on effective usage of Engineering Tools for Directors of Works of the 23 local government councils in Rivers State, recently.
About N8billion is being expended annually on scholarships by the Rivers State Government, Governor Chibuike Amaechi has revealed.
Speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Goerge Feyii while inaugurating the new 23 member Rivers State Scholarship Board yestersday, Amaechi said though the expenditure was putting the government under financial pressure, he believed the state will reap the benefit in the future.
He said, “ this administration is investing a lot in scholarship. Apart from the scholarship schemes that we run in local institutions, if you look at what is being done too with respect to those sent abroad through the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency(RSSDA), the state is spending the tune of N8billion annually. We know that this is heavy. We also acknowledge the fact that no expenditure is heavy where you are talking about human capital development.”
Amaechi admitted that human capital was crucial in the development and management of the state’s resources.
He, therefore, charged members to be committed in their new duty, saying, ” this board is a serious board. It’s one of the most largest because it has representatives from every local government area.”
The governor expressed hope that the members were equal to the task as they were appointed based on merit.
The essence of spreading membership of the board across the local government areas, according to the governor, was to ensure that every part of the state is given equal opportunities, adding that, “ you are expected to ensure that every part of the state is given opportunity to benefit from the scholarship scheme so that there will be development”.
In his response, Chairman of the board, Hon Benjamin Orugbani thanked the governor for the appointment, and assured him of the commitment of members to serve.
He also promised that the new board will strive to drive the educational policies of the state.
Members of the board are Benjamin Orugbani, Musan Raphael, Elechi Ewo, Ade Sunny Josiah, Chief Raphael Amabipi, Deacon Emmanuel Egwut, Barrister Ibiene Amachree, Sotonye Ibiama, and Anga Harry.
Others are Chief Chu Abbey, Enyie Friday Enyie, Osundu Ibisike, Chikere Nwogu, Gordon Tonwe, Nyeche Worlu, Chief Eli Amamina, Abinye Kiri, Emmanuel Okata, Mrs Grace Sam Jaja, Kingsley Douglas, Cromwell Chuku and Kate Sam Ngbor.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the newly inaugurated RSSB, Benjamin Orugbani has assured that the board will begin the process of paying students’ bursary once it settles down.
He gave the assurance shortly after the inauguration yesterday and said every qualified student will be paid his stipend.
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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