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RSG Recommits To Youth Potentials Development
The Rivers State Government has commenced programmes geared towards rewriting the narrative of youth in the state that would bring about meaningful development to the society.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon Prince Ohia Obi, who disclosed this on Monday, in Port Harcourt at a three-day in-house training and retraining of staff of the ministry, with the theme, “Repositioning for Global Visibility,” said youth development was not all about entrepreneurship and employment, but to change the content of the morals of the youth by developing their minds.
Hon. Obi explained that the ministry would reorientate the minds of the youth to enable them explore new frontiers in various fields of endeavour and discard the erroneous belief of quick wealth.
According to him, “quick wealth has been the major problem facing us today, but if we sensitise the youth, they will key in to our plan”.
He stressed that: “We are training our staff to be competent enough to deliver quality service,
“We want to change the narrative of the youth of Rivers State. The youth should stay away from violence, as far as violence is prevalent, development cannot come”, he noted.
The commissioner said that meaningful development could take place only when the youths are peaceful.
He gave assurances that the ministry was set to assist the youth realise their potentials for the benefit of the state and the nation at large if only they can imbibe the peaceful approach syndrome and eschew violence.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the event, the Head of Service in the Rivers State Civil Service, Rufus Godwins, who commended the ministry for organising the in-house training, said that the training was organised to sharpen the cognitive abilities and talents of staff of the ministry.
There couldn’t have been a better theme than that which is trying to push you to the front burner of global attention and visibility,” Godwins stated
He admonished staff of the ministry to be voracious readers, quick learners and engage in personal training and development and capacity building, stressing that, “ nobody can train you more than you can develop yourself.”
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.
