News
Hold Govt To Account, Tam-George Urges NUJ, CSOs
The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, has charged journalists and Civil Society Organisations in the state to be proactive in their roles as society’s vanguard by holding government to account at all times.
The commissioner gave the charge in his office in Port Harcourt yesterday when the leadership of the Rivers State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and coalition of civil society organizations, under the aegis of Civil Society Platform, paid him a courtesy visit.
The commissioner, who described the NUJ and Civil Society platform as the custodians of the conscience of society, said public accountability can only be upheld when these critical stakeholders exert vigilance on the activities of government.
Tam-George, who decried the financial recklessness of the immediate past administration in Rivers State, said the previous administration of Governor Chibuike Amaechi had a field day in the looting of public funds because of the lack of effective advocacy and checks on the part of civil society organizations and journalists in the state.
He accused the Amaechi administration of politicizing development in Rivers State, as the government was characterized by frivolity in the management of public funds, which resulted in what he referred to as a catastrophic legacy and failed management pedigree. He pointed out that the Amaechi’s government received over N3trillion in eight years, but left the highest number of abandoned projects in the state.
The commissioner, who stated that the Amaechi administration would be held accountable to its misdeed, stressed the need for all critical stakeholders in the state to contribute their quota in upholding public accountability and trust.
He said the Governor Nyesom Wike administration had within six months in the saddle, demonstrated its commitment to the development of the state through the implementation of projects with direct bearing on the lives of the people of Rivers State.
Tam-George, who assured the readiness of the Wike’s administration to partner with the NUJ and Civil Society Organisations in Rivers state, said his ministry will live up to its expectations as a frontier of information dissemination and not operate on propaganda and deceit.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State council of the NUJ, Mr Ayo Tamuno had said that the leadership of the Rivers State council of NUJ was on the courtesy visit to felicitate with the information commissioner over his appointment and to partner with the ministry in the effective information dissemination in Rivers State.
Also, the group leader of Civil Society Platform, Amb Emmanuel Nweke, stated that the coalition was in the commissioner’s office to register its solidarity and to partner with the ministry on issues on information management in the state.
Taneh Beemene
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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