News
UNICEF, RSBC Mark Day Of African Child
The General Manager of the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation, (RSBC) Ms Medline Tador has paid tribute to hundreds of South African children murdered on June 16, 1976 in Soweto by the South Africa police.
Ms Tador said the blood of those innocent kids cut down in their cause of their revolt against being treated as second class citizens in their own fatherland by the then apartheid regime in that country, fertilised the cry for freedom and accelerated adoption of democratic governance there.
The general manager who made the assertion at the celebration of this year’s Day of the African Child in Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area said the celebration was a tribute to their country.
Represented by renowed broadcaster Mrs. Florence Ekiye, Tador said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Planning and Budgeting for Children, our Collective Responsibility,” was apt and enjoined all to give children the attention they deserved.
In his contribution HRM Prof. T.J.T Princewill Amanyanabo of Kalabari and chairman Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council stated that it is a crucial call to all and sundry to prioritise for children when making plans and budget in the family, as well as in government.
The Amanyanabo noted that our children are most valuable assets saying we should take care of them today so as to get the best from them tomorrow.
Furthermore he said by immortalising this day June 16 in 1991, African Heads of State and the United Nations were saying in effect that African children would never again be violated, abused and trampled upon as in the manner of the Soweto massacre. “As we celebrate the African child this resolve needs to be rediscovered”, he added.
The monarch however, regretted that despite efforts of African Government and the UN, African children still suffered in human treatment in the hands of people who ought to protect them. Killing of children is in the increase, sexual Abuse, rape, ritual killing, abandonment, hunger trafficking HIV/AIDs, children dropping out of school, hawking by children are still on going, he noted. Twelve chiefs graced the occasion.
Children’s parliament entertained the crown with Drama, dances and recitation. The event was sponsord by the RSBC in collaboration with the United Nation Childrens Fund, UNICEF.
It was a day of joy three secondary schools attended the occasion Kalabari National College Buguma, Community Secondary School Buguma and Kings College of Commerce Buguma.
Julie Jumbo
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.
-
News18 hours ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics3 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News3 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News20 hours ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports3 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics3 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics3 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Politics3 days agoOtu Vows To Recall Indolent, Arrogant Cross River Legislators