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WTTC Training: Gokana, Khana,Akuku-Toru Lead
Gokana, Khana and Akuku-Toru Local Government Councils are taking the lead in the training of their youths for the 2014/2015 session in the Rivers State Government-owned Workmanship and Technical Training Centre (WTTC) at Bori.
The workmanship and technical training centre (WTTC) which has an international certification was established by the Rivers State Government through the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) for the training of skilled craftsmen in the state.
Information made available to The Tide by the agency during a stakeholders workshop in Port Harcourt says that Gokana, Khana and Akuku-Toru LGAs have 58, 50 and 45 trainees respectively at the centre while Obio/Akpor and Asari-Toru local Government Areas recorded the least with one and two trainees respectively.
A further breakdown of the figures reveals that Oyigbo LGA has 13 prospective trainees, Degema three, Etche 15 and Ikwerre 14.
The rest are, Port Harcourt City LGA 19, Ahoada East five, Tai five, Okrika 11, Opobo/Nkoro six, while Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area has nine.
Others are, Eleme 18, Andoni five, while Abua/Odual and Ahoada West have four trainees each.
The rest include, Ogu/Bolo four, Emohua six, while non-indigenes 15.
Addressing the forum, the General Manager, Business Development and Job Creation, Mrs Blessing Daniel Kalio, said that the centre has put in place empowerment packages to assist the trainees on completion of their trainings.
Mrs Daniel Kalio said that the centre was initiated by the government to ensure that Rivers youths did not become nuisance to the society.
She also said that the management has commenced the construction of hostels to accommodate the students, while the centre facilities had been upgraded to international standard.
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.
