News
Education Key To Economic Dev – Banigo
The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has said that education is the key to every level of economic development.
Banigo stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 18th International Annual General Meeting and National Camp of the Association of Methodist Brigade in Port Harcourt.
Represented by her Special Assistant on Legal Matters, Barrister Ishmael Blue-Jack, Banigo said the negative way in which education has been portrayed in the country was responsible for the stalled economic development being witnessed.
“The way education has been portrayed has also been one of the major issues stalling our economic development. In Nigeria, parents force their children to seek white collar jobs because they have always believed that this is the way to economic empowerment”, she stressed.
She said that the topic, “Education and Entrepreneurship: Key to Economic Emancipation”, was apt and timely but regretted that a lot of youth do not understand the intricacies of economics, finance and nation-building, which according to her, go hand in gloves.
The deputy governor said the future of any nation or state rests on the shoulders of the youth, who she described as the leaders of tomorrow.
“The Bible admonishes that we should bring up a child the way he should go so that when he grows up, he would not depart from it”, she said.
Banigo, who once served as president of the Boys Brigade of Nigeria, Rivers State branch and matron of the Girls Brigade from 1996-1999, said the problems faced by youth have grown in proportion since then, as they were now exposed to cult practices, illicit drugs and other related crimes.
The deputy governor said in a bid to make the state investor-friendly, the Governor Nyesom Wike-led Rivers State Government has “taken into special consideration, the economic future of the communities and our policies are particularly geared towards the establishment of small and medium scale enterprise (SMES)”.
Banigo, who urged youth to always strive for excellence, commended the organizers of the conference for choosing Port Harcourt to host such a dynamic gathering.
Earlier in his address, the National President, Association of Methodist Brigade, Rt. Rev. Gboyega Ohu said the theme of the conference, “God’s Word: My Guide” was what is needed at this time to ignite a positive change in the polity and administration of the nation.
She noted that as a body saddled with the responsibility of training youth in the church to impact and benefit society, it was also their duty to teach them the principles of Godliness.
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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