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Unity Road: Andoni Monarchs Pass Confidence Vote On Wike …As Gov’s Approval Of Allowances Excites NYSC

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The Andoni Area Traditional Council of Chiefs has passed a vote of confidence on Governor Chief Nyesom Wike for the continuation of work on the Andoni section of the unity road despite the recent kidnapping and released of expatriates working on the road.
Chairman of the council, His Majesty, King Aaron Miller Ikuru who said this at a thanksgiving service at the St. Simon’s Anglican Church Ikuru Town said that the traditional rulers are grateful to Governor Wike that despite the kidnapping incident, work was not stopped at the Andoni section of the road.
King Ikuru who is also the Okan-Ama of Ikuru Town said that the gesture was indication of Governor Wike’s love for the Andonis and the entire Obolo nation.
The monarch also thanked some prominent Andoni sons among who are; the National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Prince Uche Secondus, the Speaker, Rivers State of House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi- Owaji Ibani, the State Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Zacheus Adango and the Andoni Local Government Chairman, Paul Lawrence Paul for playing crucial roles in the timely released of the expatriates.
Meanwhile, King Ikuru has appealed to cultists in Andoni to either lay down their arms or leave the area.
He said that the security agencies have been directed to arrest and prosecute any youth who is involved in cultism.
According to him, the thanksgiving service was to appreciate God for ensuring the timely released of the expatriates
In his sermon, the Vicar, St Simon’s Anglican Church Ikuru Town, Venerable Wisdom Edighotu urged parents to live up to their responsibilities of bringing up their children in the ways of the Lord.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has approved the immediate payment of monthly allowances to Corps members serving in the state with effect from July, 2019.
It would be recalled that the immediate past All Progressives Congress-led administration in Rivers State had stopped the payment of allowances to corps members serving in the state.
But speaking, last Saturday at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area during an interaction with corps members, Wike directed immediate payment of the allowances from this month.
Wike said: “As from July, 2019, the state government will begin the payment of allowances to corps members. The state coordinator should send the list and account numbers of corps members to the office of the Secretary to the State Government.
“Recall that the allowances were stopped by the immediate past administration. If I had started payment before the elections, they would have said I was playing politics. Now, I am no longer seeking another term”, he said.
Wike also directed the resumption of the posting of some professionals to ministries with shortage of manpower.
The governor donated an official Prado Jeep to the state coordinator of NYSC, a transformer to power the camp, and ordered the furnishing of the hostels constructed by the Rivers State Government, just as he further directed the immediate reconstruction of the road to the camp.
Wike inspected the 5,000-capacity auditorium being constructed at the Permanent Orientation Camp by his administration.
At the ongoing construction site, the governor directed the immediate cessation of the illegal levies being imposed on the contractors by youth groups in the area.
He charged the host community to support the contractor to deliver on the project, while the contractor should engage the youth in the supply of materials for the project.
In his remarks, NYSC Rivers State Coordinator, Mr Chinwendu Chukwu, congratulated Wike on his victory at the polls, adding that his victory was a testimony that Rivers people appreciate his outstanding projects’ delivery.
Chukwu appealed to the Rivers State governor to continue to promote the welfare of corps members in the state, and also address some immediate needs at the NYSC Orientation Camp.
Highpoint of the interaction was the celebration of Wike by the corps members who sang with his name.

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COAS Tasks Troops To Dominate Battlespace, Intensify Offensive In N/Central

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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.

 

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Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West

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A former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Nathaniel Uwaji, has expressed excitement over the emergence of Bro Felix Obuah as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Rivers West Senatorial District following the party’s just concluded primaries.
Hon. Uwaji, who formerly represented Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Constituency I, described Obuah’s emergence as a reflection of the wishes and aspirations of the people of Rivers West.
Speaking shortly after voting at Ward Five, Obrikom, Uwaji commended party members and supporters for turning out en masse to participate in the exercise and vote for what he described as “the right candidate.”
According to him, Bro Felix Obuah’s reputation as a bridge builder and grassroots politician makes him well suited to represent Rivers West in the Senate.
“Bro Obuah’s antecedents speak volumes across the length and breadth of Rivers State. The people are pleased to have him represent them at the National Assembly because he has paid his dues,” Uwaji stated.
The former lawmaker further noted that Obuah has remained unwavering in his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, whom he described as key political leaders with strong followership in the state.
“There is no doubt that Bro Obuah has consistently demonstrated loyalty and support to both President Tinubu and Chief Wike. He remains one of the strongest allies of the FCT Minister,” he said.
Uwaji maintained that Obuah’s popularity and political track record have endeared him to the people, stressing that his victory at the primaries was widely expected.
“The name Bro Obuah is already a household name in Rivers State politics because of his track records. This victory has once again demonstrated his popularity and acceptance among the people,” he added.
He also thanked the people of Ward Five, Obrikom, and other stakeholders for their overwhelming support during the primaries, expressing confidence that the APC candidate would record another victory during the 2027 general elections.
“As you can see from the results, the people voted overwhelmingly for him, and they will repeat the same feat during the main election in 2027. Ward Five, Obrikom, will be among the first to deliver results for Bro Obuah and Mr. President,” Uwaji declared.
The former lawmaker also commended security agencies and electoral officials for ensuring a peaceful, free, fair, and credible primary election process.
He assured constituents that Bro Felix Obuah would not disappoint the people if elected into the Senate.
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Navy Upgrades Training, Infrastructure To Tackle Security Threats

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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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