News
Eagle Eye ll: Navy Deploys Ships, Helicopters, Petrol Boats
The Nigerian Navy (NN) yesterday inaugurated Exercise Eagle Eye II and deployed several capital ships, helicopters and patrol boats to combat crude oil theft and other criminal activities in the nation’s maritime domain.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok Ete-Ibas, while briefing newsmen during the inauguration at Onne, in Port Harcourt, Rivers, said the exercise was to consolidate on the gains of 2016 Exercise Eagle Eye I.
Ibas said it was also designed to assess the operational readiness of the NN fleet to conduct maritime policing operations, including anti-piracy and riverine operations.
He said it was also mounted on a joint platform with incorporation of elements of sister services while collaborating with other security agencies in intelligence gathering.
This, Ibas said, was with the view to promoting inter-agency cooperation and coordination for the enhancement of maritime security in the country as well as the Gulf of Guinea.
“It has been stated in several fora that the imperative for maritime security is consequent upon the nation’s geostragetic realities and the accompanying impacts on its well being.
“As a littoral state, Nigeria has a high dependence on the maritime environment for her economic survival.
“Shipping activities exploitation and exploration of maritime resources, as well as use of port facilities, have consistently been the main source of the revenue that drives the nation’s budget,” he said. The CNS, however, noted that the maritime domain had been plagued with illegal activities such as piracy, crude oil theft, robbery, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
He said these criminal activities had posed a serious challenge to the operational capability and capacity of the NN, and even festering insecurity within and around the nation’s maritime domain.
“In order to maintain its tractions and to stay ahead of the miscreants, the service has utilised both kinetic and non-kinetic means to checkmate their ignoble activities.
“To also neutralise the activities of the criminals, the NN has so far activated a number of operational initiatives such as operation ‘Tsare Teku’, Choke Point Management and Control Regime with deployment of House Boats.
“Re-organisation of capital ships, deployment, exploitation of STUFT concept, additional deployment of over 100 riverine boats, UPCs and MDA facilities, “ he said.
Ibas said that through a tailored information, the NN had also mounted a strong advocacy for community sensitisation to dissuade and re-orientate the locals from further involvement in criminal tendencies.
He said that NN had in recent times, significantly tackled the negative trend of maritime insecurity and substantially degraded the evil network of these criminal perpetrators.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
-
Maritime4 days ago
Customs Reopens Kebbi Border For Trade
-
News4 days ago
Four Die In Alms Distribution Stampede
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
Akwa Ibom, Nigerian Army Partner On Affordable Housing For Personnel
-
Sports2 days ago
NWFL: Rivers Angels Striker Targets Women CAF Champions League
-
Opinion4 days ago
Soludo’s Mandate: Austerity Or Prudence?
-
News4 days ago
CJN, Fubara, Others Eulogise Mary Odili
-
Sports2 days ago
Malaysia Rejects Offer To Host Commonwealth Games
-
Politics2 days ago
Kogi Gov’ship: Star Witness’ Testimony Weakens SDP’s Case At Tribunal