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Work Together In Synergy To Achieve Goals, RSG Tells Agencies
Rivers State Commissioner for Housing, Dr. Gift Worlu, has emphasised the need for sister agencies to work together in synergy towards achieving the desired goal of bettering the lot of the people, in line with the manifesto of the state government.
He urged the agencies to complement each other, rather than seeing themselves as competitors at each other’s throats.
Worlu, who made the call while playing host to the board members and management of Rivers State Housing and Property Development Authority (RSHPDA) in his office, said that the authority is key in the workings of the ministry towards actualizing its visions and achieving its dreams.
According to him, his decision to call for the meeting was for both the ministry and the authority to synergise and synthesise ideas in order to realise the mandate of the government in providing decent and affordable housing for the citizenry.
The commissioner reiterated the importance of housing, which he described as not only important and fundamental, but as a prerequisite to bringing about the wellbeing of the people and increased productivity of the populace.
Worlu said that housing ought to be one of the major focuses of any serious minded government in the third world, adding that the present government in the state, under Governor Siminalayi Fubara has a viable insight into the housing needs of the people.
He called on the Housing and Property Development Authority to work in tandem with the ministry in ensuring the achievement of consolidating on whatever has been done in the built environment in the state.
The commissioner then announced that the Federal Government has earmarked 1000 housing units targeted at the low/medium income earners in each state of the federation, charging the Housing Authority to work together with the ministry to see that the state’s share of such houses get delivered to the state in record time.
Worlu also announced that the Federal Government was interested in the ministries in the state strengthening authorities, agencies, and commissions saddled with housing development, saying that the meeting is part of fulfilling that mandate and marching order, calling on the authority to reciprocate the gesture by turning viable programmes and ideas towards making houses available to the people.
The commissioner promised to meet with the Authority from time to time in the spirit of working as a team and as partners.
Responding on behalf of the board members and management of the authority, its Chairman, Ndanyeozuru Anthony Egwurugwu, who thanked the commissioner for his thoughtfulness in calling for the meeting, promised that the authority is ready and willing to partner the ministry and work together with it.
Egwurugwu, who congratulated the commissioner on his well- deserved appointment, enjoined the commissioner to have an open door and a listening ear to make the synergy have the desired favourable impact and positive results.
The chairman of the board of the authority announced that the major challenge faced by the authority is the dearth of land for needed development, pleading with the commissioner to facilitate the process of the release of certificates of ownership on the parcels of land so far acquired by the authority.
The meeting had in attendance directors of the ministry, some other board members, including the acting General Manager of the Authority, Mrs. Ibaraye Uranta.
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.
