News
Amaechi Tasks Nigerians On National Unity
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has
underscored the need for unity of purpose, patriotism and religious tolerance
by the citizenry as a way of moving the country forward.
Amaechi made the assertion on Monday during his speech at a
parade and activities to mark the 52nd Independence anniversary of the country
in Port Harcourt.
His words: “ We must shun ethnicity, nepotism, religious
bigotry and divisions. We must remember that we are one people with one people
closely knit together with no other nation to call home but this one’’.
The governor stressed the need for hard work to move the
country forward, as he reminded the people of the importance of leaving a
lasting legacy for the future generations.
Amaechi said,” as we celebrate 52 years of freedom, we must
remember that it is our collective destiny and nobody but Nigerians will build
our nation for us..My good people of Rivers State as we begin our journey into
our 53rd year as a people, let us rest assured that tomorrow carries great
promises and great hope.
It is true that the road ahead may not be all smooth and
that it would mean a lot of hard work. Yet there can be no resting on our oars
for both leaders and the led alike until we reach our destination.
We are people of a great country. Nigeria is the pride of
Africa and the world is looking to us to take our rightful place. We must
rekindle hope today, as we remember the labours of our heroes past. We must all
do our part to keep their dream alive and the torch burning.
Our pledge to you today is that we will give our people
reason to hope again and keep our state on the path of prosperity and hope. We
make this pledge under God knowing that He can and will enable us get to our
Eldorado. Together we can make it, together we will make it. ‘’
While proffering ways to develop the country, Commissioner
for Local Government Affairs in the State, Mr.Sam Eyiba harped on the need for
Nigerians to be patriotic and to shun corruption.
Mr Eyiba said,” we need to appreciate and love our country
and be patriotic, shun corruption and religious bigotry that will take us to
the promised land ‘’.
On his part, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning,
Mr. Levi Gogo-Charles while thanking God for the unity of the country so far,
lauded Nigerians for being persevering even in the face of difficulties.
Earlier, Chairman of the State Tourism Development Authority
and former chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Chief Emeka Woke stated
that the country has made tremendous strides in policy development, but blamed
the military for the various policy sommersaults witnessed in the country,
adding that democracy has helped in checking corruption,” I do not see any
major policy programme that was undertaken by Obasanjo and Yar’Adua that
Jonathan administration has dismantled completely .
We still have the EFCC standing. We still have the Bureau
for Public Procurement and all these things were not in place during the
military era,’’ he observed.
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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