News
Agbami Scholarships Excite Rivers Indigenes
Stakeholders in Rivers State have applauded the Agbami Medical and Engineering Professionals Scholarship Awards which were presented to 183 beneficiaries from the state early in the week at the auditorium of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The scholarship was established by Agbami partners: Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited (a Chevron Company); Famfa Oil, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Statoil Nigeria Limited and Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limtied (Petrobras).
Dr Elechi Amadi, the Chairman Rivers State Scholarship Board who represented the State government commended Chevron and the Agbami partners for offering the scholarships to the students stating that the Education sector in the State had a back ground of inadequacy and near desperation especially before the coming of the present administration.
The Chairman, who urged other corporate bodies to emulate Chevron because they draw their workforce from the products of the educational system, noted that the paramount role of education in the life of any nation could not be over-emphasised. “All other government programmes will ultimately collapse if education is not accorded the priority it deserves,” he stated.
In his own remarks, Rt Hon. Tonye Harry, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly commended the efforts of Chevron and its partners to address the issue of educational development for which he said the state has been disadvantaged. The speaker who was represented by Hon Hope Ikiriko, the Deputy House Leader noted that the gesture would greatly contribute to the efforts of the present State government to resuscitate the educational sector on which it has declared a state of emergency.
The Speaker, who called for the increase in the number of awardees in the next round of awards, congratulated the present recipients and the Scholarship Board confirming that the selection process was merit-based. He implored them to see the award as an opportunity to prove their mettle in their chosed professions and to come out to contribute to the development of the society. “beyond the scholarships and your educational attainment, you all should know that the essence of knowledge is not for you to depend on government for jobs, but to help create jobs by yourselves,” he stated.
Also expressing her excitement about the Agbami scholarships, Hon Maureen Tamuno, the Chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Education described the gesture as a visible commitment to assisting the state in educational development.
Encouraging the awardees not to misuse the opprounity offered by the scholarships, she called on other Companies in the State to emulate Chevron and its Agbami partners.
Earlier in his remarks, Andrew Fawthrop, the Chairman/Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited noted that the Agbami deepwater partners have demonstrated commitment to conducting their business in Nigeria in a socially responsible way; lending hands to add value to the lives of the people and contributing positively to the socio-economic development of the country.
The Managing Dierctor, who was represented by Steven Shryock, the Deepwater Asset Manager, Stated that the Agbami partners were committing significant resource to Corporate Social Responsibility programs including the scholarship scheme for which N118 million has been earmarked for 860 beneficiaries during the first session. He therefore challenged the benefiaries to make the best use of the opportunity.
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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