News
Uduaghan, Others For Editors’ Confab In PH
Former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and a litany of other prominent Nigerians are expected to storm the 12th edition of the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) holding from August 3-7 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Uduaghan, the two-term chief executive of the state, will be special guest of honour at the event, with the theme: “Economic Diversification: Agriculture as Option for a Prosperous Nigeria”.
A statement by the NGE secretariat said that about 300 Nigerian editors, practising farmers, agribusiness financiers, policy-makers and captains of industry are expected at the conference, which the host Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, said would afford the state the opportunity to showcase its investment potentials.
The Tide learnt that Uduaghan was chosen to play the role of special guest of honour because of his place in the nation’s history as the governor who made agriculture and non-oil resources as alternative to dependency on crude oil receipts a state policy through the ‘Delta Beyond Oil’ initiative.
Uduaghan deployed the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) scheme to empower farmers in the state from the field through the value chain leading to the export of home-grown and processed spices, among other products.
Already, Wike has assured editors of a successful outing.
In a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor noted that the conference would be a fitting platform to partner with editors and the media to consolidate development in both the state and the nation at large.
Wike noted that the state was hosting several national and international events as a demonstration of the fact that Rivers State is an investors’ destination, stressing that the state is peaceful and the people hospitable.
“Hosting this year’s conference will also make the editors witness, first-hand, the development projects and programmes of my administration which has improved the living standard of the people”, the governor said.
The Tide reports that the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference is the largest gathering of Nigerian editors.
It is a watering hole of ideas that have shaped government policies and programmes over the years.
It would be recalled that the maiden edition was held in 2004 at Ada, in Osun State, and was hosted by then Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Subsequent editions have been held in different parts of the country.
The conference also attracts both local and foreign speakers as well as editors from organizations such as the West African Editors Forum (WAEF), the African Editors Forum (TAEF), the World Editors Forum (WEF) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).
This year’s edition has been tailored primarily to focus on agriculture as a counterfoil to the dwindling receipts from crude oil, and speakers include a rich mix of practising farmers, agriculture financiers and policy-makers.
The Founder of HoneySuckle PTL Ventures, Mosunmola Cynthia Umoru, would speak on “Agriculture as Panacea for Unemployment” while Mr. Kola Adeniji of Niji Farms would talk on “Agriculture as a Foreign Exchange Earner”.
The Chief Executive of Bank of Agriculture, Professor Danbala Danju would be explaining the “Role of Banks in Agriculture Financing” while Kano-based farmer, Muhammad Abubakar, the managing director of L&Z Integrated Farms would experientially explore the topic: “Making the Most of Agriculture Value Chain”.
The Acting President of the Guild, Mrs Funke Egbemode, said “the sole emphasis on agriculture for this year’s conference was in response to the falling price of crude oil at the international market which has automatically reduced government’s earnings and revenue base.
“This is the first time the conference is focusing on agriculture in the most pragmatic sense, and it is meant to draw the nation’s attention to the limitless opportunities that abound in agriculture”, she said.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana & Josephine Atagana
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.
-
News2 days ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics4 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News4 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News2 days ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports4 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics4 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Niger Delta2 days agoRoyal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support
-
Politics4 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries