News
Soberekon Tasks Buhari On National Cattle Corporation
Ijaw strongman and rights activist, Dr. Sokari Soberekon has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to establish a Nigerian National Cattle Corporation (NNCC) and channel cattle revenue into national development if he wants cattle colonies to be a reality.
Reacting to the issue of cattle colonies being proposed by the federal government, Soberekon, who is also the Senior Advocate of the Niger Delta (SAND) described the establishment of cattle colonies.
The elder statesman said that cows were gathered from the Nigerian forest by the herdsmen just as crude oil is extracted from the forest by the oil men, noting that no man urinated in the South for crude oil to come while no woman in Nigeria had ever given birth to a cow before.
He said if the federal government could set up the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to manage and coordinate the sale of crude oil which is produced in the Niger Delta and use the money to develop the entire country, the federal government should also set up the Nigerian National Cattle Corporation (NNCC) to manage and coordinate the cattle business and use the revenue accruing from it to run the nation’s economy as it is the case with crude oil.
Soberekon, who is famous for making former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari to approve oil derivation for the oil producing states in 1981, after former Governor of Midwestern Region, Late Prof. Ambrose Ali failed to achieve that through the courts, suggested that President Buhari can give cattle derivation to the cattle- producing states.
He however advised the governors of Rivers and Bayelsa States, Nyesom Wike and Seriake Dickson not to donate any part of Ogoni Land which oil spill has destroyed or Oloibiri which oil exploration has left in ruins to the herdsmen as cattle colonies until the Federal Government nationalizses cattle rearing by establishing a corporation to manage it.
He further advised Governor Wike not to give Bonny sea to the herdsmen, warning that the cattle would drown there and obstruct navigation.
Frowning at the recent killing of about 73 people in Benue State by Fulani herdsmen, So berekon said he believed that by now the army must have introduced a special programme in Benue State to quench the violence there, be it Operation Cow Clap or any other one, just as they recently introduced Operations Crocodile Smile and python Dance in the South-South and South-East respectively.
Soberekon advised President Buhari to quickly restructure Nigeria and forget about running for, or holding any elections next year.
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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