News
RSG Empowers 55 Youths In 23 LGAs
As part of fulfilling the campaign promises by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike on resumption of office in 2015, the governor has embarked on its first Human Capital Development Initiative by empowering 55 youths from the 23 local government areas of the state.
Speaking during the flag-off of the first phase of the programme, last Monday, at the Mile One ultra-modern Market, Commissioner for Housing, Elder Tasie Nwobueze stated that the project aims at empowering youth to gather more needed practical experiences in their different fields of study while reducing the number of miscreants on the streets of Port Harcourt.
Nwobueze noted that the 55 youth empowered were science graduates in engineering courses, adding that they were also undergraduate students from the same field that were on Industrial Training to be trained by the contractors handling the construction of Mile One Market as well as the Judges Quarters in GRA.
He said the governor gave the ministry approval to deploy some engineers, architects and quantity surveyors to the Mile One Market project site and the Judges Quarters, so that they could gain practical experience, noting that the ultra-modern market was expected to be commissioned in December.
Nwobueze noted that the Rivers State Government decided to engage the youth for the next six months as a way of enabling the young graduates gather more practical knowledge from the foreign contractors, adding that gone were the days when foreign contractors construct roads, build houses, markets, among others, without imparting practical knowledge to youth in the area.
The commissioner hinted that the 55 youth would be paid within the next six months as part of ways of encouraging them to remain focused and determined in gaining the best practical knowledge in their different fields of endeavour to enable them contribute to the future, adding that the best graduates would be retained by the contractors for future projects.
“It is part of ways of creating employment for our teeming youth, and so, we are grateful to the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for what he has done in the area of infrastructure as well as Human Capital Development. As you can see in the state, several projects have been constructed and commissioned within the past three years of this administration.
“As at two days ago, he has commissioned over 31 projects, which are all infrastructure, so we are adding human capital development to the list of achievements by taking the youth to these project sites, and paying them so that they can take care of themselves,” the commissioner added.
In his reaction, the Project Manager, SPG Construction Limited, Mr Ramez Rasheed stated that the Mile One Market project would house all the traders at a particular place.
Rasheed added that his firm was cooperating with the Ministry of Housing to engage the 55 graduates in order to give them the necessary support that would make them useful to the society.
The beneficiaries, including Boma Aningenime from Okrika, Chime Goodlife from Ahoada, Obia George from PHALGA and Undoh Anita, expressed joy for being chosen among the crowd from the 23 local government areas of the state, and promised to make good use of the opportunity given them by Governor Nyesom Wike.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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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