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RSG Admits 500 For RSSDA Technical Skills Training
The Rivers State Government is set to admit 500 students into the Workmanship Technical Training Centre (ETTC), Bori, for the full and short term courses of the centre, this year.
The centre was established by the Rivers State Government through the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to drive vocational skills acquisition in the state.
Addressing a stakeholders’ meeting yesterday in Port Harcourt, the General Manager, Business Development and job creation, (RSSDA), Mrs Blessing Daniel-Kalio, said that the quality of skills imparted to students of the centre would be enhanced
Daniel-Kalio said that the centre, which has six major departments is affiliated to Highbury College in the United Kingdom, stressing that the desire of the management was to ensure international best practices for the centre.
According to her, courses offered by the centre includes, Automotive Engineering, Building and Construction, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
Others are Hospitality/Hotel Management Fashion and Beauty Care while certificate such as the London City and Guild and National as well as Higher National Diplomas would be awarded to graduates of the centre.
She said that, the meeting was to enlighten the stakeholders, made up of representatives of Cluster Development Boards and Multinational Companies to make use of the centre in the training of their candidates.
In his welcome address, the Centre Manager, WTTC Bori, Mr. Armstrong Amorro, said that, the centre was created by the RSSDA to drive sustainable Development in Rivers State.
Amorro said that the WTTC was a platform for youths across Rivers State to acquire world-class skills.
He stressed the need for both the government and the private sector to invest more in vocational training for their people.
The forum has as its theme: “Driving Sustainable Development through Vocational Skills Training”.
A cross section of stakeholders at the forum described the initiative as one of the best programmes by the state government.
Chairman, Board of Egi Development Agency, Pastor Nonye Nwokoma said that the vision was capable of changing the economic landscape of the state, and prayed for the sustenance of the initiative.
Also speaking, Ambassador Mercy Gani of Solace Peace Foundation said that the programme would check restiveness in the state.
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.
