News
Osbornegate: Senator Backs RSG’s Claim To $43m Haul
The Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator George Sekibo, has insisted that the sum of $43 million found in Osborne building, Ikoyi, Lagos, belonged to the Rivers State Government.
Speaking through Order 43, on the floor of the Senate, yesterday, Sekibo, explained that the Rivers State Government had, for a long time, initiated whistle blowing policy with a view to recovering loots siphoned by immediate past administration of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in the state.
He urged the Senate to intervene in the investigation, which was being carried out, insisting that they had blown whistle over missing huge sums of money of Rivers State Government before.
“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I rise through Order 43, to remind the Chambers over circumstances surrounding the $43million in Osborne building in Lagos,” Sekibo said.
He expressed concern over the politicization of the money, adding that he was sure of Rivers State ownership, if diligent investigation was carried out.
In his ruling, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said the House of Representatives, has commenced investigation, noting that they should be allowed to conclude the exercise.
“I do know that the House of Representatives has commenced investigation, so, we should allow them to conclude with a report, so that we can take it up from there,” Ekweremadu maintained.
Also speaking, Senator Dino Melaye stressed the need for improvement in the welfare of Nigerian workers.
He equally accused governors of not using bailout and the Paris Club refund to pay salaries, and singled out his home state, Kogi, for owing 15 months workers’ salary.
Melaye advised President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the allocation of the 2nd Tranche of Paris Club Refund to states which are owing workers’ salaries.
Supporting him, Senator Paulker said that workers’ should be given their due entitlements and there should be an improvement in the workers’ welfare.
Moreover, the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, congratulated Nigerian workers’ on the occasion of 2017 Workers’ Day.
He adds that Nigerians should ask about what happened to bailout fund 1 & 11 as well as Paris Club Refund, and urged state legislators to be up and doing in oversight functions.
Senator Abdullahi Gumel, Albert Bassey, Chukwuka Utazi and Ibrahim Gobir congratulated Nigerian workers and lend their voice in support of workers’ incentives.
Utazi said that executives need to take the welfare of workers’ very important and urges governors to come to Enugu State and learn.
Reacting to his colleagues’ comments, DSP Ike Ekweremadu said, “Congratulations to the workers’, I believe we can do more for them on productivity and security of life is a major focus”.
He added that government need to ensure the prompt payment of gratuities and pensions upon retirement.
Again, he said, “The review of minimum wage should be of priority”.
Ekweremadu spoke on fiscal federalism that will ensure that states can sustain themselves unlike the current situations where they take handouts monthly.
After the presentation of bills and interpretations, the Senate adjourned plenary to Tuesday, 2nd May, 2017.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
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
-
Niger Delta2 days agoRoyal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support
-
Politics4 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics4 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries