News
‘Rivers Exceeds 35% Affirmative Action’
Rivers State is now one of the leading states that has exceeded the 35 percent affirmative action considering the number of women in public offices, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has said.
Speaking at the 2012 International Women’s Day celebration in Port Harcourt yesterday Rt.Hon. Amaechi said the number of women in his administration was far above the affirmative action target.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii, Governor Amaechi submitted that since the inception of his administration the plight of women have been accorded serious attention with different policies rolled out to improve their welfare.
Aside the micro-credit loans, free medical programme, the Rivers State Governor promised to give more attention to issues of women, assuring that “we will increase our budgetary allocations and programmes that will affect women”.
Also, Rt. Hon. Amaechi disclosed plans by his administration to protect the rights of women by reviewing the state anti-rape laws in view of the existing loopholes in the law.
“The law will be reviewed in such a way that at anytime whoever is responsible will be brought to book,” he assured.
The Governor tasked the womenfolk to lead the campaign in stemming harmful societal practices against them, stressing that most times such vices subsist because women support them secretly.
Earlier in her remark, Wife of the Governor and Founder of the Empowerment Support Initiative(ESI), Dame Judith Amaechi pointed out that this year’s theme,” Connecting Girls: Inspiring Futures” was appropriate considering the plight of the girl-child.
Dame Amaechi harped on the need to mainstream gender rights into all spheres of national life, “It’s pertinent that Africa should rise up to the challenge of women if it must advance”, she warned.
The Governor’s wife further called on women to seek practical solutions to the myriads of problems affecting them, noting that the right of women cannot be swept under the carpet under the present realities.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Joeba West lamented that about 60 percent of rural women were vulnerable due to harmful and archaic practices.
She said time had come for the womenfolk to break the barriers and rise up to modern challenge, while noting that Rivers State Government was doing all it could to reduce the plight of rural women in the area of health and social infrastructure.
Chairperson of the occasion, Mrs Monigan Wokoma in her speech observed that the forum provides opportunity for women to speak against vices in society.
She decried the inequity against women in society and called on government authorities to create more opportunities for women in the country.
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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