News
Don’t Deploy Corps Members To Volatile States, Bishops Tell FG
The 38th Council of Bishops of Methodist Church Nigeria has told Federal Government not to mobilize or deploy members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to volatile states where there is widespread insecurity and brigandage.
The council led by the Prelate of the church, Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche, while addressing the press on state of the nation, yesterday, in Lagos, also backed all the resolution of Southern governors, on various issues bordering on security of life and property, peace and unity, among others.
Uche insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari has no other choice than to restructure the country in order to address various challenges facing the country.
The Methodist Church Prelate said restructuring of the country would go a long way in tackling the insecurity been faced by the country.
The council queried the continued stay in office of the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, who was alleged of having relationship with terrorist group.
It called of the Federal Government, to quickly sack him and investigate all the allegations level against him.
On recent rejection of open grazing by the southern governors in the country, the council said, “Council salutes the Southern Governors Forum for their anti open grazing stance. Global best practices in animal husbandry are by way of ranching. Ranching, therefore, is the answer to the perennial and often fatal clashes between herders and farmers”.
On 2023 election, the council called on all politicians, irrespective of their political affiliation, to put the nation and collective interest of Nigerians above their personal and parochial consideration, adding that, “the general unease and tension in the country as we move towards the 2023 General Election calls for collective concern” .
Uche also called on the Inspector-General of Police, to deploy his lieutenants, the Assistant Inspection-General of Police and Commissioners of Police to their respective zones and states of origins, also to establish state police in order to abate crime rate.
These, the council said, will also help in fighting insecurity in the country.
The council applauded the effort of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against drug trafficking.
While raising concern over safety of corps members, the council said, “The Federal Government should not mobilize and deploy members of the National Youth Service Corps to volatile states where there is widespread insecurity and brigandage which continue to present existential threat to life and property. All tiers of government, the Media, all mobilization organs and non-governmental agencies should take intentional steps to raise security consciousness, awareness and training in vigilantism. Council further urges the Federal Government to ensure that all abductees are released unharmed”.
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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