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FG Restates Commitment To Peace, Unity
The Federal Government has reiterated its resolve to ensure lasting peace and unity in the country.
The Information and Orientation Minister, Mr Labaran Maku said this in Lafia on Monday when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa State.
Our correspondent reports that the purpose of the visit was also to condole the people and government over the recent communal crisis in some parts of the state which resulted in loss of lives and property.
The minister stressed the need for warring communities in the Nasarawa and other parts of the country to embrace dialogue and continue to be tolerant.
He noted the need to live in peace with one another, irrespective of religious, cultural and ethnic differences.
“Peace and unity is a veritable tool of national development; we must strive to maintain it for the state and the nation to move forward.
“We strongly need peace for us to move forward, no meaningful development can be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour,’’ he said.
He said that for continued peace, “we must learn to love one another and shun all forms of violence for the country to remain one indivisible, united entity.’’
Maku enjoined the people to be their brother’s keepers and strive to work as a family to develop the young State.
The minister also assured the governor of his unflinching support to anything that would bring lasting peace to Nasarawa State “for the young State to grow’’.
He also called on religious leaders in the country to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress of the country.
Maku said that sustained prayers would allow the nation to overcome all devilish acts that would not allow for peaceful coexistence of Nigerians.
“Sustained prayers by our clerics will assist the security agents in the country to overcome all the security challenges as God Almighty will expose the heartless bad eggs in our midst.”
Responding, Almakura thanked the minister for the prompt response and for commiserating with him and the people of the state over the unfortunate crisis.
He assured the minister that the government was doing everything possible to bring the situation under control.’’
The governor informed the minister that he had set up a committee to investigate the cause of the crisis and vowed that the perpetrators would be punished.
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.
