News
Diri Wants Legislation To Cater For Legionnaires’ Families
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called for proper legislation that will cater for the families of legionnaires and fallen heroes who paid the supreme price for the indivisibility of Nigeria.
Represented by the state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Governor Diri made the call at the weekend during the 2022 State Emblem Appeal Fund Launch of the state Legion, in Government House Yenagoa.
He maintained that only laws passed through the National and state Houses of Assembly could promote and protect the welfare of families of surviving and departed heroes in the country, urging government at all levels, especially the federal government to take the initiative that will increase and expand the social security portfolio, including provisions that will offer scholarships to the children of fallen heroes.
Senator Diri, who decried a situation where most individuals and institutions made pledges during the emblem appeal launch without redeeming them, argued that the annual fund raising event alone is not enough to take care of the war veterans and their families.
While expressing dissatisfaction at the manner in which the labour of the nation’s past heroes and legionnaires are not being adequately recognised, Senator Diri said it was high time those at the helm of affairs practised what they sing in the national anthem.
“I really want to suggest that the National and State Houses of Assembly should look at the possibility of making laws that would expand the coast of the present provisions for fallen heroes.
“So let me use this opportunity to encourage government at all levels, especially the federal government to take the initiative to increase and expand our social security portfolio to include provisions that would take care of the needs of fallen heroes
“I am personally pained whenever we talk about fallen heroes in our country because it is not unconnected to the usual style of our labour not being recognized. We sing it in our national anthem but the significance of what it says will only make meaning if we walk the talk.
“So, it will be empty verses and empty vows if we continue to sing our national anthem and pledge that we cannot forget the labour of our heroes past, but yet what we do is to neglect, ignore and disparage their plight and programmes”, the Governor said.
Senator Diri while responding to some of the demands made by the State Legionnaires, endorsed the suggestion that the emblem launch in the state should hold before the end of every year, just as he promised looking into the request of including legionnaires in the annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day organising committee.
He urged the leadership of local government councils in the state to equally mark the Day in their respective areas every January 15.
Speaking earlier, the State Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Mr. Ogele Okubokeme, recalled that the Armed Forces’ remembrance day was set aside to honour all the veterans both living and dead who had paid the supreme price to defend the sovereignty of Nigeria.
Mr. Ogele Okubokeme noted that the objective of the emblem launch was to give patriotic citizens the opportunity to make freewill donations that would go a long way to alleviating the challenges faced by families of legionnaires and the departed heroes.
He appealed to the State Government to make the Emblem Appeal Fund Launch at least two months to the main event in order to give enough room for people to support the programme
Highpoints of the event were financial donations made by Governor Diri, his deputy, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abraham Ingobere, the Chairman, State Traditional Rulers Council, King Alfred Diete-Spiff among others and their decoration with the Armed Forces Rememberance Emblem.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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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