News
2019: Oba Cautions Against Divisive Actions, Utterances
A former member of the defunct National Political Reform Conference and Pioneer President of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON), Oba Chukumela Nnam Obi 11 has warned politicians against divisive actions and utterances, saying they have a lot to learn from Nigeria’s Second Republic President, Shehu Shagari who gave a nation just emerging from the stranglehold of the military an uncommon moral leadership and selfless service”.
In a statement in Port Harcourt yesterday, Oba Nnam Obi 11 recalled “Shagari’s nationalistic disposition and unblemished meritorious service to the nation, and regretted that most of the present crop of politicians, rather than being more nationalistic, are so extremely sectional and incompetent to steer the ship of state away from the troubled waters in which we presently find ourselves”.
The two-time Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers lamented that “Central to Nigeria’s problems in the misfortune of having come under leaders, almost all of whom have proved far too incompetent, and far too steeped in corruption to meaningfully tackle the country’s myriad problems, and give our beleaguered people an abiding sense of direction”.
He said although Shagari can be excused for presiding over the nation at a period when our optimism about what was possible far out-stripped our capacities to build and to persevere, most public men and those seeking political positions lack the deceased’s pristine virtues which they almost unanimously but shamelessly extolled at his demise last December”.
The monarch noted that rather than imbibe the legacy of selfless and purposeful service which Shagari beaqueathed most of our politicians are being so mindlessly desperate for power that they incapable of identifying the nation’s key problems, assess their magnitudes, analyse them with a clear-minded, clearheaded objectivity, and profer a long-term corporate approach towards their solution.
Oba Nnam Obi 11, who is also the Oba, Eze Ogba of Ogbaland, stated that at any rate, the times demand from the country’s politicians fresh insights and far-reaching solutions to the nation’s problems instead of merely dressing up old remedies that appear to only exercabate the problems”.
Expressing regrets that politicians have been usually taciturn about how the economy can be turned around and the years of waste healed, he stated that no government anywhere in the world can enjoy the blessings of legitimacy and popular support while the economy is frail and recovery not in sight.
Noting that four years are enough for an administration to prove whether it can compound the peoples’ problems or ameliorate their anguish, Oba Nnam Obi 11 urged the electorate to seize yet another opportunity offered by the forthcoming general elections to elect leaders capable of tackling the parlous state of our economy, deprivation, pervasive scarcity, and degradation of individual well-being”.
Explaining further, the monarch said: “Most fundamentally, we need to elect leaders with a driving vision of where the nation is, where it should be heading and why. This is the only way we can save the nation from going aimlessly from one detour after another.
Wishing Nigerians the love, peace and protection of God in 2019, the monarch charged the populace to set their sights high, very high, for the greatness of our nation.
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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