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Why Okonjo-Iweala Lost -Bobo Brown
Former National President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR),Amaopu Senibo Bobo Sofiri Brown has blamed the lost of the World Bank presidency by Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Nigeria’s weak international asset base.
Speaking at the 5th Triennial Delegate Conference of the Rivers State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), yesterday in Port Harcourt, Brown said that Nigeria has nothing or little to offer in the international area in terms of its asset based.
Dissecting the Nigerian economy further, the veteran journalist who spoke on the topic ‘New Journalism in a market Democracy” said that the last ten years has witnessed the highest level of poverty in the country, despite the fact that Nigeria generated more than N34 trillion within the period.
He also said that market democracy is the modern concept the world over as the global community is desirous of seeing improvement in the quality of lives of people especially in the developing countries including Nigeria.
Brown, a former chairman of Rivers NUJ, also stressed the need for journalists to consistently remind those in authority of their promise while at the same time serving as the corporate memory of the society.
“We must serve as the collection point of a view that will serve as an alternative process”, he said.
He harped on the need for states in the Niger Delta to work together to build their own refineries.
Meanwhile, a former gubernatorial candidate on the platform of the Action Congress in the 2007 election, Prince Tonye Princewill has charged journalists to show an exemplary behaviour in the conduct of their duties.
In his presentation at the Triennial Delegate Conference, Princewill who was represented by Barrister Solabo West said that journalists must adhere to due process in the conduct of the affairs.
He announced a N2.5million donation to the new Rivers NUJ Executive and N500,000 for the procurement of equipment to assist the business centre of the correspondents’ chapel.
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.
