News
Obi Scores APC Low On Achievements …Urges Igbos To Vote For Atiku
Former Governor of Anambra State and Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Peter Obi, has scored the All Progressives Congress (APC) –led Federal Government low on virtually all fronts, saying, for close to four years in office, it has nothing to show Nigerians as its major achievements.
Obi, who passed the damning verdict during a town hall meeting with Igbos resident in Rivers State at the Obi Wali Convention Centre in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said the APC had failed to fulfill all the promises it made to Nigerians in 2015, contending that to arrest the drift, the people should vote out the party at the polls.
According to him, the APC government has only succeeded in foisting insecurity, poverty and unemployment on the people.
He said the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and himself have the requisite track record and pedigree to turn around the fortunes of the country if elected, having been tested and proven.
He said the mission of Atiku was to fix the country and to make it work again, and urged the Igbos to massively vote for the PDP at the polls, as he carpeted President Muhammadu Buhari over the skewed appointments made by his administration, which he said heavily tilt in favour of the North.
Obi assured that Atiku would fulfill all electoral promises made if elected including the restructuring of the country.
He commended Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for the development strides of his administration, which he said have transformed the state.
Also speaking, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said the state has decided to throw its weight behind the Atiku/Obi ticket and urged the Igbos to come together and vote overwhelmingly for the PDP at the polls.
Wike, who was represented by former Governor of the state, Sir Celestine Omehia and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Austin Opara said the town hall meeting was not only important for Mr Peter Obi but also for the entire country and Rivers State, describing the Vice Presidential candidate “as our own.”
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of a special necklace, made of coral beads to Obi by a little girl on behalf of the Rivers State Chairman of the Wike Continuity Movement (WCM), Chief Uchenna Okokoba. The event also featured a question and answer session in which Obi intelligently answered all the questions threw at him by the people.
Donatus Ebi
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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