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Fubara, Others Receive Certificates Of Return
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Wednesday witnessed the presentation of Certificates of Return to the Rivers State Governor-elect, Sir Siminialayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the 32 members of the State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Also present at the certificate presentation held at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, were former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche; former Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Sam Sam Jaja and the PDP chairman in Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, among others.
The governor-elect and his deputy were presented their certificates of return by the INEC National Commissioner supervising Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers State, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu.
Speaking after receiving his certificate of return, Fubara urged the opposition to join his incoming administration to build a better and progressive Rivers State.
“For the opposition, our doors are open, including our window. If you don’t want to pass the door you can enter through the window because we really need everyone on board for a better and progressive Rivers State”, he said.
Fubara commended INEC for the successful conduct of the governorship election, which he described as one of the best in recent history in the State.
The governor-elect attributed the success recorded by INEC in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections to the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“I want to commend you for this innovation. Although we had a little hitches here and there, I believe going forward, INEC should ensure that ad hoc staff, including their staff are given proper training early enough so that the hitches experienced, most especially during the presidential election will not be experienced in future elections”, he said.
Fubara also commended Rivers electorates for voting massively for him, his deputy and other PDP candidates in the elections.
According to him, his emergence as the governor-elect is a resounding reaffirmation of Rivers’ people support for continuity and consolidation of the New Rivers vision of Governor Wike’s administration.
“We will ensure that, though the bar had been raised before us, we will also raise the bar for whoever is going to take over from us”, he assured.
Fubara thanked Wike, whose sterling performance in office, he said, spurred the electorate in the State to vote for him and the 32 House of Assembly members-elect.
In her remarks, the INEC National Commissioner supervising Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers State, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, told the governor-elect and the lawmakers elect to realise that being successfully elected into an office is a call to service.
“Beyond the excitement of your new position and office, you must commit to good leadership and you must ensure the trust and vote of the electorate are reciprocated with good governance, security of life , positive human and infrastructural development in Rivers state and Nigeria by extension”, he charged.
Agbamuche-Mbu appealed to security agencies and political parties to cooperate with INEC to ensure hitch free conduct of supplementary election in two federal constituencies, namely PHALGA 2 and Khana/Gokana in the State this weekend.
On his part, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the State, Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, urged the governor-elect and others not to see their success in the poll as a personal victory, but a triumph for the democratic process and a call for national duty.
He advised: “You must be magnanimous in victory and ensure you run an inclusive government at all levels. Let me remind you that the office you have been elected into is essentially rendering service to God and humanity.
“There are expectations not only from those who voted you into office but also from all Nigerians within and outside Rivers State. I pray that God will give you the wisdom and courage to make the right decisions that will better the lives of our people and by extension our nation Nigeria.”
Sinikiem further advised the governor-elect and others who won their election and will be part of governance from May 29, 2023, to use their good office to deepen democratic ethos in Nigeria by ensuring that they do their bit to better the country’s electoral process.
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.
