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Education Dev: Academy Honours Wike’s Strides
In recognition of his contributions to the development of education across the country, the Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) has nominated Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike as a honorary fellow of the academy.
Announcing the recognition at the Government House, Port Harcourt during a courtesy visit, yesterday, Secretary General of the academy, Prof Elizabeth Okeke said Wike was nominated because he has dutifully served the country in the promotion of education.
Okeke said: “You were nominated by the academy because of your contributions to the development of education. You are to be conferred with the position of the Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Education. It will be conferred on you on the 5th of November, 2019.
“We appreciate your contributions in nation building. We considered all your contributions in the field of education, dating back several years. We have decided to recognise you officially as the apex education body in the country”, Okeke said.
Okeke urged the governor to continue developing the education sector, noting that Nigerian Academy of Education will always collaborate with him.
She said that the Nigerian Academy of Education will hold its 34th National Congress in Port Harcourt between 4th and 7th November, 2019.
“We are here to congratulate you for your exceptional leadership. We are praying for you to succeed more in the course of your second term”, he said.
Responding, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike thanked the academy for accepting to host their national congress in Port Harcourt, saying that it would attract educationists from across the country.
“We thank you for accepting to host the congress in Port Harcourt. That means people from all over the country will come to the state. When they come, they will see that Port Harcourt is peaceful”, he said.
The governor noted that his pledge to construct a new Convocation Arena at the University of Port Harcourt would be actualised.
Wike urged the Nigerian Academy of Education to work in unity to promote education, and added that the academy should ensure that the 34th Congress is the very best.
“We will give you all the necessary support to ensure that the forthcoming congress is the very best in the history of the academy.
“I thank you for your prayers. But for your prayers, we wouldn’t have been here. We thank God that He has done the best for Rivers State. We thank God that He heard our prayers”, he said.
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.