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NDE, Others To Mobilise For Youths Employment
President Goodluck Jonathan says his administration is committed to finding solution to youth unemployment in the country.
The president said this last Friday during the 2011 International Youth Day Celebration at the Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt.
In his address delivered by the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi through his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, President Jonathan disclosed that all the government agencies including National Directorate of Employment (NDE), National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, have been mandated to effectively tackle youth unemployment problems in the country.
He stressed that the nation cannot realise her vision of becoming one of the world’s largest economies by the year 2020 without the contributions of all stakeholders, including the youths who will directly benefit in 2020, assuring that the synergy of all stakeholders in youth development would assist in cutting down the unemployment rate in the country.
On the theme for this year’s Youth Day: “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding,” President Jonathan hinted that it is the United Nations General Assembly’s “appreciation of the value of dialogue among youth from diverse cultures” that has engendered peace in the nations, calling on Nigerian youths to make the theme the only option in everyday interactions.
In his speech, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Mr. Dan Ibubeleye pointed out that the Youth Day celebration should remind the youths of their social responsibility to their parents, communities, state and the nation, and therefore urged them to embrace dialogue in solving problems and to “establish bridges of love across the ethnic groups.”
Also speaking, the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, Mr. Bethel Oko Jaja, said the youths in the state are suffering from acute unemployment, decrying the situation where companies in the state would recruit staff at all levels from Lagos and post them to Rivers State, urging the state government to prevail on the companies to abide by the state employment laws.
In his message, the African Representative to the World Assembly of Youths (WAY), Mr. Marvin Yobana, stated the need for governments to partner with youths in order to find solution to pressing global problems, and called on youths to invest time and efforts in achieving societal changes.
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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