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Be Comforted In Your Father’s Legacies, Wike Tells A’Ibom Gov
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has charged his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Udom Emmanuel, to be comforted by the enduring legacies of his father, late Elder Emmanuel Nkanang.
The Rivers State governor had joined political leaders and statesmen from across Nigeria for the burial of the father of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, Elder Gabriel Emmanuel Nkanang, at Awa-Imma in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, last Saturday.
In a condolence message to the Akwa Ibom State governor at the funeral, Wike said: “May you be comforted by his enduring legacies as we pray to God to give you and your relatives the fortitude to bear the great loss as well as grant the soul of your departed father a peaceful repose.”
Wike said that with the death of late Elder Emmanuel Nkanang, the nation has lost a great asset.
He said: “In the death of your father, the nation has lost a great man of peace, wisdom and kindness, whose exemplary life and achievements will leave lasting impressions for generations. We will also miss him”.
The governor added: “Although we are all helpless before the will of the Almighty when death comes knocking at the door, the death of a parent, no matter the age, always leaves a painful and everlasting void.
“On behalf of my wife, the Government and the good people of Rivers State, I convey our heartfelt condolences to you and the people of Akwa Ibom State as a whole over this great loss, and also to let you know that we grief with you and have you in our prayers at this difficult time”.
The burial had in attendance Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, another former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, governors of Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri; Bauchi, Senator Bala Muhammed; Cross River, Prof Benedict Ayade; Delta, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa; Bayelsa, Senator Douye Diri.
Others are governors of Oyo State, Engr Oluwaseyi Makinde; Sokoto, Hon Aminu Tambuwal; Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi; and the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.
The rest include, former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; former governors of Cross River, Donald Duke; Akwa Ibom, Victor Attach; Benue, Gabriel Suswan; past and present members of the national and state Houses of Assemblies as well as religious and traditional rulers from across Nigeria.
The Tide reports that Elder Gabriel Emmanuel Nkanang lived till 90 years before his passing on December 1, 2019.
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.