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Build Public Confidence, Cleric Urges INEC
Ahead of tomorrow’s Governorship and State House of Assembly elections in Rivers State, a cleric, Pastor Tony Onyedikachi, has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that they gained the confidence of the electorate by conducting a free, fair and credible elections.
Onyedikachi, who is the pastor In charge of the Global Success Ministries in Port Harcourt, gave the charge during an exclusive interview with The Tide.
He expressed the hope that tomorrow’s poll in the state would be devoid of violence and therefore advised politicians and the electorates to be peaceful at all times and shun acts capable of causing a breach of the peace, saying election is not a do or die affair.
On the performance of INEC during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, he said the electoral umpire tried but needed to do more to endear themselves to the heart of Nigerians.
“INEC should not allow itself to be manipulated. They should ensure that the election is free and fair and forget about their personal interest.
“They (the commission) should ensure that whoever the people have chosen is declared the winner in the end so as to also gain the confidence of the people. If that is done, it will even increase voters turn out in subsequent elections in the country and give credibility to the body,” Pastor Onyedikachi stated.
He stated that the poll in Rivers State was peculiar because of the place the state occupies in the national economy, even as he called on stakeholders, especially the voters to be careful and shun any form of persuasion.
“The electorates should go out and exercise their franchise and return home afterwards. Life is precious and we should not joke or play with it. Once it is gone, it is gone because we only live once.
“I want to make politicians understand that power comes from God. If God does not permit man to be where he (man) wishes to be, he will certainly not be there no matter how he tries to manipulate it,” the cleric stated.
Agnes Onwuegbu & Kpobari Barizaa
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.
