News
Warri Economic Summit: Okowa, Charges Youths To Embrace Peace, Hard Work
Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and his predecesssor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, have charged youths in Warri and the entire state to imbibe peaceful disposition, hard work and honesty to revive the near-comatose economy of Warri.
The duo made the remark yesterday at the First Warri Economic Summit put together by the Warri South Local Government Area in conjunction with the Warri Economic Summit Group (WESG).
They said if youths in Warri did not have a change of mind by imbibing the virtues of hard work, integrity, positive mindset and peaceful disposition, the coming economic revival through the approved dredging of the Escravos Bar would be a mirage.
Okowa, who declared the summit with the theme: “Warri Rising” open, harped on the need to consolidate on the existing peace through attitudinal change among youths in the state.
He urged youths and other stakeholders to partner with investors especially in the area of security for Warri to work again.
“I pray that when the port dredging starts, we’ll cooperate with the government.
“Elders and youths should talk to themselves and stop every form of insecurity.
“With the dredging, Warri will come alive again, while the state government will do its best,” the governor, who lauded the organizers, noted.
He urged indigenes and residents in Warri to speak positive of the ancient town, saying it is ranking far behind Lagos when it comes to the crime rate.
“Stop giving a bad name to Warri. No city is free of crime. We should begin to speak positively about Warri. It is not worse than Lagos.
“We, do not have guns everywhere again. Warri is one of the most peaceful places in the country. It is a social melting point,” the governor enthused.
Okowa appealed to companies that left Warri in the days of intercommunal crisis to return fully and begin operations.
Meanwhile, former Governor Uduaghan, who lauded chairman of Warri South, Mr Michael Tidi for the summit, urged youths to let Warri work.
He chided elders allegedly fond of nudging youths to foment troubles with investors and ship owners to desist from such ignoble acts of extortion and brigandage.
Chairman of Warri South and organiser of the summit, Hon. Tidi, said whatever roadmap is arrived at after the summit would be implemented for the benefits of youths in the area.
Dignitaries at the summit included, Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, former NIMASA DG, Prince Temisan Omatseye, General Manager, Chevron Nigeria Ltd, Mr Sam Daibo, and resources person from across the business world and the academia.
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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