Featured
Army Plans New Battalion At Nembe
The Nigerian Army has hinted on plans to establish a new Battalion in Nembe while again commending Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State for placing security as one of his administration’s top priority and for his continued support to security agencies, as well as the provision of modern crime fighting equipment.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai gave the indication, when he led other senior military officers on an official visit to the governor at Government House, Yenagoa yesterday.
Buratai, who said he was in the state to formerly operationalize the new 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, thanked the governor for the allocation of the area for the brigade and the efforts to secure its permanent site.
According to him, the Nigerian Army has continued to enjoy massive support from the Bayelsa State Government, despite the current economic challenge s and assured that, the Army will reciprocate by working with other sister agencies to make the state safer.
While announcing plans to set up a new Battalion in Nembe, headquarters of Nembe local government area, the Army Chief explained that, Bayelsa State should be adequately secured at all times, because of its strategic location and the massive national assets and investment potentials it has.
He said “ While the Brigade settles down, I want to appreciate your Excellency for all the support you have been rendering to the Nigerian Army here in Bayelsa State, despite the challenge of resources. The acquisition of the temporal site for the Brigade and the onging survey of the permanent site is highly appreciated”.
Buratai equally applauded the governor for the huge transformation in the state, through the provision of landmark projects, especially the new Governor’s office, which he described as gigantic and added that, it is another milestone for his administration.
Responding, Governor Dickson thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Army Command for fulfilling the pledge of setting up the new brigade in the state, noting that, it will further strengthen the security architecture of the State.
Governor Dickson, who formally commissioned the new 16 brigade headquarters located at AIT/Elebele Road, charged the Army Command not to allow the land for the permanent site of the brigade to lie fallow for too long, while also tasking the visiting Army Chief on the setting up of good command schools and medical outfits to compliment the development drive of the government.
“As you are aware our government has a very clear agenda on development, very clear agenda on security and very clear agenda on promoting prosperity. And, none of these can be achieved without first establishing a conducive, peaceful and safe environment”.
On the proposed plan to inaugurate a battalion in Nembe, the governor said, it is a welcome development, as it will completely bring all the skirmishes in that area to an end, which hitherto was rampant, because of its coastline and its location as a major gateway.
The governor used the occasion to hand over a written request asking the Army to send its personnel to provide technical assistance by way of physical training to students in all the newly built model schools across the state, especially the flagship Ijaw National Academy at Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
-
Opinion2 days agoPoverty: Manipulative Tool Of Oppressive Ruling Class
-
Niger Delta2 days agoA’Ibom Targets 600,000 Households For Intervention Programmes
-
Politics2 days agoRivers Lawmakers’ Defection, ‘Monkey Politics’-CSO
-
News2 days agoTinubu Directs Inclusion Of NOUN Graduates In NYSC Scheme, Law School
-
SMEs2 days ago
Customs Bolsters Collaboration With Benin Counterpart
-
Opinion2 days agoFolly Of Leaping Before Looking
-
Niger Delta2 days agoTraditional Rulers Council Honours Two Commissioners
-
Sports2 days agoB’Ball: NBA Stars Dominate US Olympic Team