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AIPS, Others Laud Wike On Sports Dev …As Gov Bags ‘Power Of Sports’ Award In Brussels
President, International Sports Press Association(AIPS), Gianni Merlo has commended Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for his commitment to sports development.
Speaking during a brief meeting with the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike on the sidelines, AIPS Congress (Belgium 2018) Cocktail in Brussels on Monday night, Mr Merlo said that sports invrstments made by Governor Wike are worthy of recognition.
The AIPS President particularly commended Governor Wike for the decision to set up a Real Madrid Football Academy in Rivers State, pointing out that it will develop international stars from Nigeria.
Also speaking during the meeting, International Sports Press Association-Africa (AIPS) Africa, President, Mitchell Obi said ths association is proud to honour the Rivers State Governor for his outstanding developmental strides in the area of sports.
President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Mr Honour Sirawoo said that Governor Wike by his contributions to sports development, has placed Nigeria on the international sporting map.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Austin Opara said that Governor Wike has continued to live up to the expectations of Rivers people by his outstanding achievements .
Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah said that under the leadership of Governor Wike, sports development has been given a new meaning to the advantage of the youths.
Senator George Thompson Sekibo said the benefits of Governor Wike’s quality investments in sports will be manifest in the coming years. He said the governor merits the recognition by AIPS.
Rivers State Commissioner of Sports, Mr Boma Iyaye and Majority Whip of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Evans Bipi said following the outstanding performance of Governor Wike in sports development, Rivers State has become an international reference point.
Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Politics and Strategy, Chief Glory Emeh noted that sports development has been effectively used as a tool of empowerment by Governor Wike.
Speaking during the meeting on the sidelines of the cocktail, Governor Wike assured that his administration will continue to invest in sports to empower the youths.
He said that the Real Madrid Football Academy will be actualised by his administration to create avenues for Rivers youths to further excel.
The governor who was accompanied to Brussels by his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike to receive the AIPs Africa “Power of Sports “ Award noted that he remains committed to the holistic transformation of Rivers State.
Governor Wike will be honoured with the Power of Sports Award by AIPs Africa on Wednesday
He is also expected to deliver a lecture on the topic: ‘Peace and Progress through Sports in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria’ to the full house of the 94-year-old International Sports Press Association (AIPS) comprising no fewer than 108 countries on Wednesday , May 9, 2018.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah has described Governor Nyesom Wike as an undisputable Pillar of Sports in the State and Nigeria at large.
Bro. Obuah stated this in a goodwill message to Governor Wike following the conferment of the prestigious Power of Sports (POS) Award on him by the International Sports Press Association-Africa (AIPS), in far away Brussels, Belgium yesterday.
Bro. Obuah praised Governor Wike for the harvest of awards and described the development as a testimony of the Governor’s untiring quest for sports development in the State and Nigeria at large.
Bro. Obuah said the Africa POS Award on the Governor has marked him out as a brand ambassador of sports development as according to him; the feat comes on the heels of a flurry of sporting achievements including the successful hosting of the African Wrestling Championship which has been adjudged the best in the continent in recent times.
“For me, this award is very significant for two reasons. One, the President of AIPS, Mr. Mitchell Obi is an icon in sports journalism and one of Africa’s best, and I deem it a privilege that the good works being done by Mr. Projects have continued to draw the attention of the international community.
“Two, the 94 year- old body (AIPS) commands an enviable pedigree with membership drawn across no fewer than 108 countries. For me it’s a great honour and a no mean achievement for His Excellency and I am proud of him”, said Bro. Obuah.
Bro. Obuah who is also the President/Sole Sponsor of Go-Round Football Club of Omoku, expressed confidence that the Award would spur Governor Wike for greater enthusiasm as he continues to unfold his master plan to make Rivers State the sports hub of the nation.
The PDP boss who is also Sole Administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) praised Governor Wike for his policy of developing other segments of sports and urged him to keep up the tempo, assuring that posterity would certainly celebrate him among the heroes of the State.
He called on the people of the State to continue to support the Governor who is working assiduously to make life meaningful for everyone irrespective of party affiliation.
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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