News
‘Dikio’s Training Model Rescued PAP From Collapse’
The Amanyanabo of Okpoama Kingdom in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, King EbitimiBanigo, has declared that the new training model introduced for ex-agitators by the Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd) rescued the dwindling fortunes of the scheme.
According to him, PAP was becoming a liability to the Niger Delta before Dikio came with his Train, Employ and Mentor (TEM) strategy.
Banigo, who stated this when Dikio paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Okpoama, described Dikio as a rare professional, said his emergence opened a new chapter for the amnesty programme following his reforms especially in the award of scholarships.
The monarch recalled that in the past the training system for ex-agitators was inadequate because of lack of post-training plans for them but said Dikio came to the rescue with TEM.
“No training programme can be successful except there is an endgame. That is why the program that you (Dikio) have introduced is more beneficial. With your new training there can be transferred skills.
“Previously, we see beneficiaries sell their starter packs after training because they see no need for it. Even though it is wrong, it is because of the kind of training they had.
“You can blame the government but we need to ask ourselves what we have done to better the region. Some of our actions are the bane of our problems. As leaders, stakeholders it is not enough to complain, we should be held accountable for some of the failures.
“As a kingdom we have a role to play, so do others and we believe that your visit here will be the beginning of a new chapter between PAP and the kingdom. We fully subscribe to your vision,” he said.
He appreciated Dikio for the award of scholarships to students of the kingdom, and requested for more engagement with his people, especially in areas they had the right expertise.
The traditional ruler also used the occasion to call on the Federal Government to come to their aid and solve the looming problem on their waterways by setting up a taskforce to patrol the sea and end the issue of sea piracy.
In his remarks,Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio, described Banigo as a role model, who distinguished himself in the banking sector, and thanked him for his support and wise counsel to PAP.
He explained that he was in his kingdom as part of his ‘back to region’ tour, which he introduced after his appointment to deepen the relationship between the PAP and the ancient Okpoama stool.
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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