News
RVHA Resumes As Thanksgiving Day Bill Passes First Reading
The Rivers State House of Assembly resumed, last Monday, with the screening of a commissioner-nominee and introduction of a Thanksgiving Day Bill (HA13) 2018, which has passed the first reading already.
The House had shortly after screening and confirming, Dr. John Bazia as commissioner-nominee, received a petition from Rumuadaolu youth through the member representing Obio/ Akpor 11, Hon. Okechukwu Chinda.
According to Chinda, the youth had raised the petition over marginalization by companies operating in their communities.
One of the firms, an oil servicing company, Cylobeg Nigeria Ltd, was accused by the youth of failing to abide by the terms of the memorandum of understanding to engage indigenes of the community.
The lawmaker said over the years, youth in the area have remained law-abiding and would not take laws into their hands, and therefore, have decided to raise the petition so as to get redress.
Shortly after the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani directed the Committee on Petitions to oversee the matter; member representing Port Harcourt Constituency 1, Hon. Victoria Nyeche introduced a bill known as the Rivers State Thanksgiving Day Bill 2018.
Nyeche explained that the 18-paragraph bill was to have a day set aside for thanksgiving and appreciation of God’s mercies on the state.
“In America and other countries, they have a day of thanksgiving, and as a Christian state, we need to set aside a day to thank God because despite the negative narratives, we are still one”, she said.
The Port Harcourt Constituency 1 lawmaker added that the bill proposes that on every May 27, the State Creation Day, “we as a people rededicate the state to God”.
Though a holiday is not part of the proposal, she sought for the contribution of the citizenry to make the bill a worthy law.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, House Committee on Power, Hon. Abinye Pepple has hinted that the Assembly plans to organize a Power Infrastructure Summit.
He told newsmen that the summit would involve stakeholders and other key players in the power sector and was billed to be held on August 30, 2018.
The lawmaker representing Bonny State Constituency inaugurated a media sub-committee headed by Allwell Ene to evolve measures towards raising awareness and support for the summit.
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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