News
Uchendu: ‘Why I Left PDP’ …Picks Senate Form
Officials of CB Geo-Solutions Sam Ezugworie and Chidiebere Offor signing the contract document of pre-sack migration of 3D seismic data acquisition with Shell while Bayo Ojulari and others watch. Photo: NAN
Member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency, Chief Andrew Uchendu has picked nomination form to contest the Rivers East Senatorial District under the All Progressives Congress(APC) in next year’s elections.
Chief Uchendu told party supporters at the State APC secretariat yesterday in Port Harcourt that youth empowerment remains his major focus as he bids for the senate.
The Emohua born federal law maker said he was heading for the senate as a way of consolidating on his achievements as a law maker in the past 12 years.
“I’am told I served well. You are equally aware I served my state, I’am told I served well. I have served my country, I’am told I served well evidenced by the award of the Officer of the Order of Niger(OON). This form will enable me contest the senatorial district election so that I can serve the Rivers-East senatorial district come 2015,”Uchendu told journalists after picking his expression of interest form.
He promised to better the lots of his constituents if voted, pointing out that effective legislation is his focal point to transform and empower youths of the area.
For now, he submitted that no candidate can beat his records recalling that he sponsored over two bills which include the Due process law which has reduced corruption.
Chief Uchendu also said in the past 12 years he has nominated two projects-the National Youth Development Centre at Emohua and the Skill Acquisition Centre at Elele.
All these he said is to empower youths, maintaining that employment remain one sure way to curb insecurity in the country.
Meanwhile, Chief Uchendu said he left the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) because they failed to protect him.
He accused the PDP of reneging on its promise to its lawmakers after attempt to elect Molikat Akande as Speaker of the House failed in 2011.
In his words, ” I made sacrifices for PDP and abandoned my friend Tambuwal due to party directives, but PPD abandoned me and those that agreed to vote for Molikat Akande; those that complied with party directives. I was the Chairman of the South-South Parliamentary Caucus and I ensured all of us voted for Molikat, but when Molikat failed, the party shut its door against me. Never again will I find myself in such a party.”
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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