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Dame Amaechi Tasks Rivers Women On Unity
Women in Rivers State have been advised to foster unity among themselves in the interest of the state.
Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi stated this recently during an interactive meeting with wives of the Legislator, Commissioners, top government functionaries and head of government parastatals.
Mrs Amaechi said it was necessary for women to show commitment towards promoting love and peace among women to accelerate rapid developments of the families and the state at large.
The governor’s wife said while their husbands are initiating policy to move the state forward, it will be appropriate for women to chart a new course and explore areas of support for the families to complement the men folk
According to her, “this is a new year, it is pertinent that we sit on a round table as wives and mothers to chart our course in the new year and to support our husbands in their bid to move the families and states forward”.
Describing women as home makers and change agents, the Rivers First Lady charged the women to add value to their relationships with the society. “Remember that women are home builders and change agent and such virtues must be committed in our relationships”.
Mrs Amaechi enjoined the women to forge a common front if they must achieve the actualisation of the 35 per cent affirmative action in both elective and appointive positions, and charged the women to provide quality leadership at the grassroots.
The governor’s wife asserted that since women possess the ability to influence opinion especially of their husbands and the society, it will be pertinent to participate in all electoral process ahead of the April elections.
Those in attendance at the meeting included the Commissioners for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari and her Education counterpart, Dame Alice Nemi Lawrence, wife of former SSG, Bariyaa Abe, female members of the State House of Assembly including Hon Maureen Tamuno and Hon Irene Nimgba, Sole Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam among others.
The meeting which is first of its kind this year provided opportunities for women to brainstorm and cross-fertilised idea on how to move the families and state forward.
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.