News
Yar’Adua’s Health: Reps To Debate Implication ‘Morrow
Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Ita Enang, has revealed that the House of Representatives would tomorrow debate the implications of the continued absence of President Umaru Yar’Adua from the country due to ill-health when the House resumes plenary session.
Enang, who disclosed this at a press conference on Friday, in Abuja, also confirmed that President Yar’Adua spoke with Speaker Dimeji Bankole.
The Tide’s source gathered that some members of the House have been unrelenting in their efforts to pressurise the leadership of the House to allow discussion on the absence of President Yar’Adua.
Hon. Femi Gbajabimila, the Action Congress (AC) leader in the House, had shortly before the House went on Christmas recess, raised the issue of the President’s health on the floor of the House, but Bankole promptly over-ruled him.
However, Enang, who presented the plan of legislative business of the House and committees, told journalists that the House would discuss the state of the indisposition of the President on Tuesday.
He explained that the debate, which will come in form of a motion, was informed by measures brought by members to discuss the controversial issue.
“We will discuss the state of the indisposition of the President because there are measures that members have brought to discuss it”.
“I will not be ale to say what the resolution of the House will be, but I know that there are matters for us to discuss on the floor of the House”, he said.
He did not, however, state the nature of the action that the House planned to take, adding that, the discussion would not necessarily go to dwell on the health of President Yar’Adua since only the President’s doctors were competent to talk about his health condition.
Observers, however, say that the House may resolve to mandate the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to activate Section 145 of that 1999 Constitution which would prepare the ground to transfer executive power to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan.
On what Yar’Adua and Bankole discussed in the reported telephone conversation, Enang said, Bankole informed him that, “Mr. President spoke with him”, continuing that, “Mr. President asked how we are going about the legislative activities of the House”.
He also confirmed that the signature on the 2009 Supplementary Appropriation Act is the signature of President Yar’Adua.
According to him, those who think otherwise should prove their position, because he who alleges should prove”.
Beside the discussion of the president’s indisposition, Enang said the House would receive report of the Constitution Review Committee as well as begin the consideration of the “Bill for an Act to provide for measures to combat terrorism and for related matters”.
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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