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Western Naval Command Lists Achievements

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The Western Naval Command (WNC)  has organised a  special event codenamed ‘ceremonial sunset parade’ to mark the end of 2020 year.
The event which ended in the early hours of Sunday  in Lagos was attended by Naval personnel dressed in their ceremonials and invited guests to mark one of the biggest days in the calendar of the Navy worldwide.
Other military top brass, serving and past service chiefs, captains of industry were not left out of the parade.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC)  Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. F. F. Ogu, who was the Special Guest of Honor, said that despite  the challenges  of 2020, the Command performed well in the passing year.
“Significantly, in the last one year, the Nigerian Navy in the Lagos area had been able to achieve some of her set targets inspite of some challenges, especially, the global COVID -19 pandemic and the EndSARS protest.
“The scope of activities of the Command covers operations, training, doctrine and assessment,naval ordnances, logistics and other auxillary services.
“In the midst of the aforementioned challenges, the Command and its  establishments successfully played their roles in ensuring policy implementation, safety and security of the Nigerian maritime domain, training and administration of personnel,” he said.
Ogu also said that the relentless patrols by the Command had led to the arrest of suspects, vessels’ seizures , and  the destruction of illegal facilities.
“In the area of operations, ships and boats were deployed to tackle maritime crimes such as piracy, illegal bunkering, crude oil theft ,smuggling among others.
“Our relentless patrol led to  the arrest of suspects, vessels’ seizures and the  destruction of illegal facilities among others.
“These items have been handed over to  the relevant government agencies for further actions.
“The Command  has continued to optimise the use of its assigned seagoing platforms to maintain presence in its area of responsibility.”
Ogu said, “During  the period under review, ships and boats were at sea for several hours to ensure  security of the backwaters.
“These measures coupled with the efficient use of the NPA facilities and helicopters for  surveillance have  enabled the Command to curtail illegal activities significantly along the creeks and   the waterways,” Ogu said.
Ogu said that in spite of the challenges of  COVID-19 pandemic, NAVTRAC had  continued to provide basic and professional trainings for personnel as well as capacity building.
He said that 3,000 persons were recruited within the period under review, adding that the personnel are still undergoing the requisite training.
“Equally important to note is the no fewer than  4,000 undertraining personnel that underwent or  at present  in training in NN professional schools.”
He said that the Naval Ordnance Depot also provided critical services in ensuring the operational readiness and effectiveness of the Nigerian Navy operations.
“Provisions and maintenance of essential naval ordnances such as:  firearms, ammunition, as well as ship designs, constructions and refleet has assisted greatly in the service delivery of the NN in the Lagos area.
“Equally key, not only to Naval operations as it includes the mapping of the Nigerian Maritime domain, is the NN Hydrographic.
“Their activities have assisted greatly in ensuring that  the welfare and morale  of the personnel are  maintained through the activities of the Central Pay Office,” he said.
Ogu commended  the other sister agencies and the Lagos State Government for their supports.
“No man is an island. The success attributed to the Command and its establishments would not have been possible without highlighting the supports  of our sister agencies such as: the Nigerian Police Force, DSS, EFCC ,other government agencies, etc.
He said that the Command looked forward to a better synergy with  other stakeholders in the coming years.

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Anglican Bishop Urges Politicians To Lead With Integrity

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The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, has called on Nigerians, especially those in positions of authority to uphold moral standard and integrity.
Oko-Jaja said this at a thanksgiving service to mark the 90th birthday of Prof. Sylvanus Cookey at Saint Paul Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Rivers yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that Cookey was the second Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in 1982.
Oko-Jaja advised political leaders to always be self-aware and avoid actions that could damage their reputation.
“In today’s Nigeria, hardship has changed how the people behave, as lies have become more popular than the truth.
“We now live in a country where injustice is now celebrated and lowering moral and social standard have become the new normal.
“Leaders must follow the exemplary legacies set by our forebears by becoming upright and live a life that would not bring shame to their family and community,” he said.
He attributed the country’s current economic challenges and declining living standards to leaders failing to prioritise the well-being of citizens.
“The younger generation should emulate the virtues of our predecessors like Prof. Cookey, who prioritised integrity over material gain.
“Good reputation was the norm back then, and I hope that God will restore it to Nigeria, where leaders’ goal will be to have good names.
“If anyone wants to commit evil, they should remember that their actions can bring a bad name to their family and community,” he cautioned.
Addressing the celebrant, the King of Opobo Kingdom, HRM Dandason Jaja, praised Cookey for his impact on society and described him as a mentor and philanthropist.
He said that the celebrant was a distinguished academic, who had impacted numerous youths through vocational training, leading to their successful employment in different sectors.
Speaking earlier, Cookey expressed gratitude to God for attaining 90 years and acknowledged the support of his family and friends.
Reflecting on his contributions to the country, he encouraged leaders to leave behind positive legacies for future generations to celebrate.

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Senators, Reps To Resume Plenary In Remodelled Main Chambers

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Nineteen months after federal lawmakers movement to  temporary chambers,  the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives would finally resume sittings in  their  newly remodelled main hallowed chambers tomorrow
Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, and the Clerk to the Senate, Barrister Chinedu Akubueze confirmed the planned movement to the main chambers in separate written announcements made penultimate week on the change in resumption date by lawmakers from their ongoing recess.
Hon. Rotimi, who is the chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in the official announcement dated April 4, 2024 to the honourable members, cited the need to resume plenary at the renovated and reconfigured main chamber, as reason for the postponement in line with the general wish of the lawmakers.
“The House of Representatives wishes to inform the public and stakeholders of the rescheduling of the resumption date from the ongoing recess, originally slated for Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to  Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
“This adjustment is necessary to accommodate the completion of renovations to the main chamber of the House of Representatives to ensure its readiness for plenary sessions, henceforth,” he stated.
Two days after, the Clerk to the Senate also issued a statement, postponing resumption of plenary by the Senate from April 16 to 23, 2024.
Akubueze ‘s statement reads in part: “Distinguished Senators are hereby invited to note that the resumption of the plenary sitting of the Senate, which was scheduled for Tuesday, 16th April, 2024, has been postponed to Tuesday 23rd April, 2024”
It would be recalled that ahead of the projects delivery, the Site Engineer of Visible Construction, Tajudeen Olanipekun, had early last month informed journalists covering the Senate, that the two main chambers, would be ready for use by both the Senate and the House of Representatives in April this year.
Olanipekun’s assurance on delivery of the fully transformed and reconfigured hallowed chambers to management of the National Assembly, coincided with call by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal that both the Senate and the House of Representatives, want to move to their main chambers as soon as possible after close to two years of using temporary ones.
In carrying out the subtle marching order, the construction firm in the last five weeks has carried out the required finishings on
the upgraded and reconfigured hallowed chambers fixed with state-of-the-art chairs, parliamentary equipments,  appliances and extended sitting terraces.
Physically, the entire ambience of the space in and around the hallowed chambers have been transformed, just as barricades used to restrict movements at the foyer have been removed.
The  Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, had in March 2021 awarded a N30billion renovation contract to Visible Construction Limited to rehabilitate critical segments of the National Assembly complex.
The law makers had in September  2022 vacated the main chambers to enable the Contractors;   handle the renovation work of both chambers
Some of the critical segments are the office buildings housing the office accommodation for the senators and honourable members, watertightness of the roof of the complex, the cooling system, replacement of lifts that are inoperable in the White House as well as in the House of Representatives and in the new Senate Wing among others.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

 

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Police Commence Recruitment Process In Anambra, Enugu

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The Zone 13 of the Nige- rian Police Force, comprising Anambra and Enugu States, has announced the venue and time for both General Duty and Specialist Constable recruitment medical screening in the two States.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ihunwo, yesterday in Enugu.
Ihunwo said that prospective candidates from Zone 13 should note that the exercise would take place at Police Hospital, Awka.
She said that the medical screening would commence simultaneously nationwide on Tuesday, April 16, and end on April 30, 2024.
“Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment portal: https://apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng to know their status, specific time, date and other mandatory requirements.
“So also, qualified applicants are to appear in clean white T-shirt and short with the following requirements;
“National Identity Card/Slip; Print Out of Medical Examination Slip and all necessary documents.
“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 13 Command, AIG Godwin Aghaulor, wishes all prospective candidates success as they embark on this exercise,” he said.

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