News
Mosque Saga: ‘There Was No Physical Structure On Disputed Land’
Rivers State Islamic Leader and Vice President General, Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Uhor has confirmed that there was no physical structure of a mosque at the disputed land at Rainbow Town in Port Harcourt.
“The insinuation that there is a 10-storey building is not true”, Uhor said.
Appearing on a live radio programme, monitored by The Tide in Port Harcourt, last Saturday, Uhor said that in Islam, the whole world constitutes mosque, adding that even the nest of the bird represents a mosque.
He said that from that definition, whether or not there is a building, the location is a mosque.
The Islamic leader said that under the administration of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Rivers State Government stopped work at the location on two occasions, and clarified that the leadership of the Muslim community in Rivers State was not responsible for the falsehood circulating about the disputed land at Rainbow Town.
He admitted that a Rivers State High Court had ruled that the disputed land belongs to the state government.
Uhor explained that the Muslim community was not disputing the ownership of the land with the Rivers State Government, but noted that the late Chief Amadi who sold the land to the Islamic community claimed that he inherited it.
The leader of Rivers Muslim community said that the correct position of things is that Rivers State is a Christian-dominated state, pointing out that this should not be an excuse for anyone to promote hatred.
He appealed to the Rivers State Government for dialogue on the disputed land.
Contributing to the phone-in programme, a prominent Muslim and former special adviser to the Rivers State Governor on NDDC, Alhaji Mohammed Okiri stressed that by the judgment of November, 2018, the position of the law is that the land belongs to the Rivers State Government.
“If that is the case, does the Muslim community there have a better title? If you don’t have, all these receipts, payments are all extraneous. The court has seen them and has come to a conclusion. The court resolved that the land belongs to the Rivers State Government.
“Since they have lost the case, the best the Muslim community would have done is to humble ourselves”, 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.
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