News
Stimulate Private Sector For Economic Growth – Utomi
The three tiers of government in the country have been enjoined to stimulate private sectors to enable them go into investments that would help to create job opportunities for the youths to attain economic growth.
The Founding Director, Lagos Business School, Pan African University, Professor Pat Utomi stated this Thursday, in a sensitising lecture forum organised by the Catalyst Youth Leadershape, with the theme: “Leadership Constructing the Future Today” at the Ebitimi Banigo Auditorium, University of Port Harcourt.
He lamented tht the global financial meltdown is posing a lot of havoc in the country which needs the services of potential leaders to address the situation.
Prof. Utomi noted that every potential leader be it in a family, school or any organisation helps to transform the society, adding that anybody aspiring for a leadership position must have sense of service and knowledge to pilot affairs which is very critical and significant to ensure a peaceful and progressive administration.
According to Prof. Utomi these endearing qualities would enable one to be more focused on the future development of the people as well as make one to be an effective and vibrant leader.
“A leader is someone who influences and gets things done with understanding, because there is a certain connection with the people that makes them do things accurately,” he said.
Earlier the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Catalyst Leadership, Prof. Arinze Tony said the idea of organising this rebirth leadership initiative lecture was borne out of the minds of some group of young and energetic youths who are committed to the strategic vision of reforming a new Nigeria geared towards personal development, patriotism and positive leadership values due to the current trend of events experienced in the country.
Describing the rebirth initiative as a welcome development, Prof Arinze said the forum is aimed at grooming and sensitising the youths to attain the positions of potential leadership in the country.
“As stakeholders and leaders of tomorrow you should beg to work towards becoming potential leaders to get things, done properly,” he added.
Also speaking the Executive Director of the Catalyst Rebirth Initiative, Mr John Emmanuel said the Catalyst Youth Leadership is a non-governmental organisation basically aimed at creating a mental resolution in the mainstream and also be abreast with newly ideas that would help to change the county for better.
Mr Emmanuel who is also the co-dominator of the youth rebirth initiative observed that Nigeria is at the precise of collapse and expressed optimism that the lecture organised by the catalyst youth leadership would definitely crate an impact and make a positive change in the society.
“If everybody that participated in the rebirth lecture would consciously understand their environment it would greatly make a difference in our society.”
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.
