News
Dialogue Required In Dealing With IPOB -Retired General
A retired Brigadier General of the Nigerian Army Bright Ateke Fiboinumama has faulted the branding of the Independent People of Biafra(IPOB) as a terrorist organisation as an over kill and amounts to throwing out the baby with the bath water
According to the retired general, what is required is dialogue and not military might as no such high- handedness ever wins the peace
Brigadier General Ateke who is also the King of Abuloma in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State however conceded that a President and Commander-in-Chief who took an oath to protect Nigeria and Nigerians cannot afford to be taken unawares by an unpredictable person like Nnamdi Kanu.
Considering threats by IPOB, the general said the military programme Operation Python Dance II was necessary. He said it would show IPOB leadership who, among other utterances, threatened to visit Abuja and return with the President’s head, form secret security force and claim support of other foreign countries that the nation’s Army is able and ready to defend the citizenry
King Fiboinumama who was speaking on the side lines of the on-going All Nigeria Editors Conference at the Hotel Presidential Port Harcourt, however said even with all the verbal threats of violence nothing would have been more useful than round table talk
The traditional ruler said understanding the mindset of the youth was key to solving their problems and earning their confidence by reducing the amount of lies you tell them.
With that attribute, the retired general said he was able to check the familiar militancy and restiveness of the Abuloma youth within barely a year of his coronation as Amayanabo (King) of Abuloma
With the conducive atmosphere, the King said he was able to prevail on companies based in the community to give Permanent appointments to a good number of casual workers, secure scholarships for over 35 students to study up to Masters degree level and three Abuloma youth to study engineering and engaged afterwards by Belema Oil one of the tenants of Abuloma.
With the cooperation of the youth and the people at large, the endemic pollution often suffered by the shorelines of Abuloma are now history while there is today, increasing government presence in the area of infrastructure development in Abuloma and other neighbouring communities, he stated.
Describing peace, leadership and the understanding of the youth as sine qua non to growth, the King said through his ability to reach out Abuloma Chiefs would soon be bonafide members of the Port Harcourt Council of Chiefs and urged traditional rulers to be open in their dealings with the youth in particular and all people in general
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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