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Evolve Modern Designs, Wike Tells Architects
The Rivers State Government has called on Architects to come up with modern designs to improve the infrastructural aesthetics of the State
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike made this call during the opening ceremony of the African Architecture Festival in Port Harcourt.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Governor Wike said his administration was in a hurry to remedy the infrastructural decay it met on ground, “that is why we decided to turn the State into a huge construction site where the construction of several developmental projects like roads, bridges, jetties, rehabilitation of existing public buildings, shore protection, land reclamation and sand filling are going on simultaneously”,he said.
Said he “this Administration is geared up to ensure that Rivers State lives up to its name as the treasure base of the nation, by delivering infrastructure that are top notch to the Rivers People, because we believe our people deserve the best”.
Governor Wike said in the quest to turn around the fortunes of the hitherto marginalised and infrasturucturally underdeveloped State, security was made a top priority.
“With improved security, we know that more investors will be attracted to the state. This is why the state has continued to play host to national and international events, like the West African Architecture Festival”, he stressed.
According to him, these events ultimately translate to improved livelihood of the people who no longer wait for government to give them handouts.
He says the theme for this year’s festival; “Celebrating Diaspora Excellence,The Leap Into the New Civilisation” is timely, considering the fact that the world is now a global village where every society is expected to upgrade and move with the trend in terms of infrastructural, socio-economic, cultural and political development.
In his Keynote presentation, former Governor, Peter Obi of Anambra State who described corruption as the bane of the Nigerian society, expressed the need for the Nigerian Economy to be knowledge-driven in order to fast track development.
Also Speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of James Law Cybertecture International Company, James Law disclosed that the future of architecture globally is in cybertecture which according to him is the use of internet technology in the designing and building of modern structure.
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.
