News
Unity Road’s Completion, Priority Of Wike’s Govt -Akawor
Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Rivers State chapter, Amb Desmond Akawor, has assured the people of Andoni Local Government Area that the Ogoni-AndoniUnity Road project remained a top priority project of the Governor NyesomWike-led administration.
Akawor, who is also the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated this while addressing the people of Andoni during the Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) collection sensitisation programmeorganised by the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) at State School, Asarama, in Andoni Local Government Area, last Monday.
He said though the road was one of the most expensive projects, the present administration was determined to complete it before handing over in 2023.
While announcing that the contractor would soon move to site, IPAC chairman appealed for the cooperation of the people of the area so that the project can be completed as planned.
“The Ogoni-Andoni Unity Road is one of the most expensive projects in Rivers State. The governor has made commitment that the road must be completed. This is the desire of the governor of Rivers State. After the construction Andoni will no longer be a riverine community, Andoni will become upland”.
Addressing the people, Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, said he was happy to be in Andoni, and to be received by such a large crowd even when he was told that GDI does not exist in the area.
The PDP standard bearer said the enthusiasm shown by Andoni people has made the job of educating them on PVC collection very easy.
He advised the people to ensure they collect their PVCs, and also safeguard same.
Fubara, who said he was an indigene of Andoni, urged them to continue to work together to achieve a stronger GDI.
“I am happy with the level of awareness in our local government area. Iam overwhelmed by what I am seeing because it has made my job easier. We are done with registration, what is on now is collection of PVCs. Keep these PVCs safe. Ignore any text message that asks you to come with your PVC for empowerment”, he advised the people.
Fubara has charged the electorate in Andoni to close ranks so as to build a stronger GDI in the LGA.
The standard bearer maintained that though GDI was fully on ground in the LGA, they, as the electorate, can be stronger if they remain united.
Fubara also forewarned the people to stand strong even in the face of storms that may come with the electoral season, as the battles ahead have already been won.
He advised eligible electorate to ensure that they use their PVCs wisely during the forthcoming elections in 2023, assuring that their votes would count this time around.
He commended the leaders of the area, women and youths and the GDI supporters for coming out enmasse for the programme.
In his remarks, the President-General of GDI, Hon Bright Amaewhule, said that the large crowd that turned out to grace the rally had justified his earlier assertion that the group was fully on ground in Andoni.
He encouraged those who were yet to collect their PVCs to do so as soon as possible, now that the window is still open.
He added that with the level of awareness among the people, electioneering campaign messages by candidates of the PDP would be easy to drive home to eligible voters in the area, particularly because of the giant strides the state government had made in delivering solid dividends of democracy to the people.
Amaewhule charge the people to protect their PVCs, and ensure that they use same wisely to elect the right candidates into various offices during the 2023 elections.
Also speaking, the member representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, HonAbiante Awaji-Inombek, stated that 2023 elections shall be a referendum on moving Nigeria forward towards progress, unity, development and peace.
He emphasised that the era of ‘top-to-bottom’ policy is over, and that it has become imperative to use the PVCs to secure the lives of citizens and posterity as well as to SIMplify tomorrow.
Earlier, the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Barrister Erastus Awortu, declared that staff of Independent National Electoral Commission in Andoniwere not resting because on a daily basis, the people were busy collecting their PVCs from the electoral umpire.
He also stated that in time past,Andoni was enslaved by the forces of darkness and underdevelopment, but now has been liberated by the Rivers StateGovernor, Chief NyesomWike.
The chairman maintained that with the PVCs collected, they shall execute punishment on those who short-changed Andoni in contracts, scholarships and other basic necessities.
The Andoni rally featured dance gyration by the 11 wards in the area, and solidarity speeches from stakeholders.
Among the stakeholders, who spoke at the event are a former chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) and current stalwart of the PDP, Chief Davies IbiamuIkanya;member representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Abiante Awaji-Inombek;Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Ikuinyi-OwayiIbani; and the LGA Chairman, BarristerErastus Awortu.
Others include the Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Edison Ehie; the Majority Leader of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule; former Commissioner, Civil Service Commission, Mrs Sotonye Toby Fulton, chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Engr. Samuel Nwanosike; Mayor of Port Harcourt, Hon AlwellIhunda; and other council chairmen, prominent government officials and chieftains of the party.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
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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