News
NDDC Awards Scholarships To Kids Of Slain Policeman
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has awarded scholarships to University level to all seven children of Sergeant Chukwudi Iboko, the policeman who lost his life while courageously aborting an armed robbery attack on a bank in Owerri, Imo State, last year.
The Managing Director of the commission, Mr Nsima Ekere, announced this after receiving the Public Service Award at the Sun Awards in Lagos, last Saturday.
He also announced the donation of N1million to the family of the deceased who was equally honoured at the award ceremony as the Nigerian Hero of the Year.
A statement by the Director Corporate Affairs, Ibitoye Abosede, and made available to The Tide, yesterday, quoted Ekere as stating that the NDDC was working with state governments and security agencies to tackle what he called the very serious security challenges in the Niger Delta.
He expressed delight with the award, describing it as a validation of the efforts of the present board and management of the NDDC to uplift the commission, make it more transparent, restructure its governing system, restore its core mandate and end the era of non-performing contracts.
The Publisher of Sun Newspapers, Dr Orji Uzo Kalu, who presented the award, explained that Ekere was honoured in recognition of his development strides for the people of Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
He noted that the presence of members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Niger Delta at the ceremony showed that the NDDC boss was democratic in the way he administered the commission.
Kalu charged Ekere to continue to deliver on his duties to the people of the Niger Delta.
Distinguished Nigerians similarly honoured at the Sun Awards included the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki as Outstanding Politician of the Year, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode as The Sun Man of the Year and his Rivers State counterpart, Chief Nyesom Wike, as Governor of the Year.
The NDDC boss was accompanied to receive the award by a host of personalities, including the Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, Mr Umana Umana, the Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom State in the NDDC, Mr Samuel Frank, former governorship aspirants, Architect Ezekiel Nya-Etok and Mr Solomon Etim.
Others were Senator Aloysius Etok and former local government chairmen, Otuekong Ekerete Ekpenyong and Michael Etim.
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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