News
Amnesty Deploys 100 On Vocational Training, Empowers Others
In continuation of its mandate, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed the first batch of 100 ex-agitators to the International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, Yenagoa, while also giving empowerment to others in Rivers State.
The beneficiaries, who were inducted into the institute, are the first tranche of 1,000 to be trained and empowered by the Presidential Amnesty Office on various skill acquisition programmes.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony at the International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, Yenagoa, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), said the PAP has been so effective since it was introduced in 2009, and youth from the region have proven to the world that they are not only talented but industrious as they have shown from their performances within and outside the country.
He said the purpose of the Presidential Amnesty Programme was to ensure that youth from “the Niger Delta region are adequately trained and equipped to compete with their counterparts within and outside Nigeria”.
Boroh, who urged the beneficiaries to take the opportunity given to them as advantage to build on their individual capacity and make themselves entrepreneurs and employers of labour, assured them of the Federal Government’s continued support in human capacity building in the region.
Also in Port Harcourt, ex-agitators, who were empowered under the Presidential Amnesty Programme, expressed gratitude towards the Federal Government’s amnesty initiative.
Some of them, who spoke while receiving their empowerment kits, such as newly constructed fish ponds and portion of farmlands, shops and supermarkets, said the Presidential Amnesty Programme was real, adding that such gesture from the Federal Government will do so much in reducing the rate of crime and insecurity in the region.
While thanking the Federal Government, they assured that in few months from now, they too would be employers of labour as they would put in their best not only to ensure that their businesses grow beyond expectations but also engage and encourage other youth from the region to shun violence, embrace peace and support the government in its efforts to attract more developments to the Niger Delta.
Prayers were said for President Muhammadu Buhari and his commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region.
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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