News
Don Lauds Gov Amaechi’s Intervention In Education, Health
The intervention of the Governor Chibuike Amaechi-led administration in the health, education and other sectors to uplift the living standards of the people and revitalise economic activities in the State has been hailed as a step in the right direction.
Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology (RIVCOHSTECH), Dr Nnanna Victor Onyekwere, said “it’s a very good thing that has happened to Rivers State, because before this time these sectors were seriously neglected over the years”.
He lauded current efforts by the present administration towards making life better for the present and future generations in the State, noting that “from what we see now the primary schools are the same with what you see in any other part of the world, the health centers are also of standard. I think it’s a well thought out plan in the right direction”.
Noting that the present government has demonstrated political will in tackling critical issues affecting the State, the don, acknowledged that a lot still remains to be done in the area of improving the level of manpower needed to move the State forward.
“We still have the issues of manpower to tackle, to supplement what he’s doing in infrastructure; people to teach in these schools that have been completed, health personnel to work within hospitals, health centers, and other areas. The earlier they started planning towards it, to train these people, the better,” he said.
On the state of healthcare in the State, Dr Onyekwere stated that with increased funding for the health sector and the renewed drive at infrastructural overhaul, the sector has witnessed tremendous progress.
“There is a lot of money pumped into training and retraining of health personnel on ground. The general lack of morale is no longer the issue. Morale is high now, there appears to be a drive to get it right. Though it will take some time to get it right in terms of infrastructure; at least for now morale is there, salaries are now being paid, nobody is being owed at the end of the month,” he emphasised.
Admitting that the state of health of the President is impacting negatively on the polity, Dr Onyekwere urged Nigerians to pray for President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before raising constitutional issues regarding the governance of the country as it was “inhuman to ask a man to hand over while still on the sick bed”.
The Provost disclosed that the management of the college has devised a five-year staff development plan aimed at repositioning the institution to make it more viable, financially self-sufficient, responsive to societal needs and a center of excellence.
“Our attention has shifted to staff development; we had a retreat at Omoku for the senior staff where we worked out a 5-year development plan for the college, basically aimed at repositioning our college to be financially self-sufficient, responsive to societal needs and also to be a college of academic excellence,” he stressed and added that 20 new staff were recently employed to minimise the number of casuals.
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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