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AN ADDRESS BY RIVERS STATE GOVERNOR, RT. HON. CHIBUIKE AMAECHI, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF GARDEN CITY GAMES, 17TH NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL, SUNDAY 3RD JULY, 2011.
Today, we have the honour, privilege and joy to welcome you very distinguished athletes, officials and indeed the entire sporting community to our beloved Rivers State, as we very proudly showcase our welcoming, refreshing, and dynamic culture.
I must thank the National Sports Commission, the Federal Ministry of Sports, and our very own President for bringing the games to Rivers State a second time. It is a rare privilege and one, which we cherish most dearly. Rivers State as host of the l7 National Sports festival joins the league of states that have hosted the festival more than once.
The National Sports Festival was conceived as a balm to soothe the psyche of a nation much traumatised by a war. Before then, there hadn’t been no sporting platform that brought Nigerians together in the sense of being Nigerians. Yes, there were regional porting competitions as well as inter collegiate competitions but none of these took into cognisance the very essence of our nation —as captured in the nation’s first national anthem – “though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand”
Today more than ever, there is an urgent need to reinforce those values that the founding fathers of our nation and indeed this festival held so dearly.
Sporting events like the NSF provide the appropriate platform to reinforce and even build on these values. The keen competition, sportsmanship and camaraderie at these games are the fuel on which our youth can run very long distances. We must galvanize these potentials and must develop our sports in order to provide the right opportunities for our people. Truly we must redirect the energies of our people towards self-development as a precondition for the development of our country.
Since its inception in 1973, therefore, the National Sports Festival has remained a beacon and a reminder of our common destiny. With its twin objectives of promoting mass participation in amateur sports from the grassroots level and encouraging sportsmanship and friendly interaction, the National Sports Festival is a definite tool for strengthening our nationhood.
And Rivers State is proud to again help foster this unity. When we hosted the games in 1988, we raised the bar and set standards that I can proudly say no one has been able to beat. As we host the games again, we are mindful of the fact that we can only do better. It is this spirit and the desire to that propelled us to embark on the building of a brand new stadium for these games. The Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium complex, in the Greater Port Harcourt City is indeed a phenomenal facility, the first of its kind in our nation, and we are delighted that we are able to showcase a bit of this magnificent infrastructure during these games.
Even more, we would wish to use this auspicious occasion to invite everyone: the National Sports Commission, Federations, corporate organisations, and even schools to please come again and again to make use of this world class facility. I can assure you that what we have is a great offering.” But today is not about us. It is about you great Nigerians, the talented athletes many who might become the new discoveries that will change the face of our sports on national, continental and international levels. As you participate in the games, we encourage you to also find time to go round our city. If you haven’t yet done so, let me invite you to make the most of the legendary Port Harcourt nightlife and our most tasteful seafood cuisine, known for its ability to keep our people fresh and beautiful as even Mr. President himself will attest.
Once more, Your Excellencies, distinguished athletes, officials, ladies and gentlemen, it is with great delight that I very warmly, welcome you to the Garden City of Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, Nigeria’s Treasure Base.
O bosa no, A nu biala, Waa lua, A nua
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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