News
Wike, Six Other Govs Grace Dickson’s Inauguration
Rivers State Head of Service, Mr Rufus Godwins (middle), with Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission for Rivers State, Dr Alpheaus Paul-Worika (4th left) and the commission’s workers, during a working visit to the Head of Service in Port Harcourt, recently.
Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital was on a standstill yesterday, as thousands of people abandoned their usual church service to attend the inauguration of Governor Seriake Henry Dickson for second term as governor of the oil rich state .
But his godfather, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and his wife Dame Patience Jonathan, were conspicuously absent from the occasion which seven governors of the party attended.
Among the governors were Chief Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Fayose Ayodele of Ekiti, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Okezie Ikpeazj of Abia, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe and Darius Ishiaku of Taraba.
Also at the occasion were Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, the Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio, and the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor.
No reason was given for the absence of the former president and his wife but sources said they may have travelled outside the state.
However, the oath taking ceremony was performed by the state Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, who quoted the relevant sections of the Constitution that empower her to administer the oath.
Responding after taking the oath, Dickson pledged to consolidate on the achievements he had made in the past four years saying that his re-election was a renew mandate given by the people of the state.
He listed a number of projects he had carried out, saying this could not have been possible without the support of the people and called on the opposition to join his administration in moving the state of the federation.
“To the opposition” Dickson said, “let me say, I respect your right to hold different views. Your participation in the process made this contest more vibrant, and our victory more worthwhile, and legitimate. Yesterday, we were opponents; today, we must be partners for the security, development and prosperity of Bayelsa State. I now invite you all to join me in this enterprise of consolidating the gains of restoration. Let us work together to move our state forward”.
“Now that elections are over, we must strengthen the synergy between citizens, the state government and security agencies to recapture the peace and security that prevailed prior to the elections. Bayelsa is the epicenter of the Niger Delta, critical to the security, stability and economic prosperity of our country and the Gulf of Guinea region. Therefore, our government remains committed to working with the Federal Government and security agencies to secure our nation and its people, he stressed.
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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