News
Confab Com’ttee Recommends Abrogation Of Land Use Act
Executive Director, Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, Abubakar Hassan (right), signing MoU on Investment Promotion Cooperation with the Director -General, China Investment Promotion Agency, Mr Liu Dianxun, during a bilateral meeting between Nigeria and China at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday Photo: NAN
The National Conference Committee on Land Tenure and Boundary Matters may recommend the abrogation of the Land use Act.
A member of the Committee and delegate from Rivers State, Dr. Isaac Akara, who disclosed this at the Interactive session held by the Niger Delta Consultative Forum in Port Harcourt, also said that the conference may recommend a return to the 1963 constitution which dealt with the devolution of powers and derivation.
He said that the crisis in parts of the country have necessitated the need for the restructuring of the country.
Dr. Akara, who is one of the representatives of the civil society at the conference, also said that Nigeria must resist the on-going attempt by the Boko Haram to destablise the country.
Also speaking, a delegate to the conference, Chief Sergeant Awuse said that the South South was working with other regions to achieve its objective.
He said that the present structure in the country was against the interest of the South South, stressing that it is against this background that the zone must go into alliances with others to change the situation.
Awuse, who is a member of the Finance and revenue development Committee, said that while the zone is insisting on 50 per cent derivation, it is however, prepared to negotiate with other regions with a view to moving the country forward.
The former governorship aspirant in the state called on Nigerians to respect the office of the president, stressing that Nigeria must be a country based on equity and fairness.
On her part, Miss Ann Kio Briggs said that South South delegates need the support of the people to succeed at the conference.
Briggs said that the zone will not go beyond 50 per cent in its demand, and described the 1999 constitution as anti-Niger Delta.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Andrew Efemini said that the people’s voices must be heard, especially in this trying times.
Professor Efemini, a lecturer in the University of Port Harcourt, said that the National Conference has the potential to ensure that the people of the Niger Delta are free from the shackles of poverty and unemployment.
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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