News
Union Seeks RSG’s Support On Meat Security
The Chairman, National Butchers Union of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, Alhaji Musa Baba Ahmad has said that the current meat security threats in Rivers State have nothing to do with unhealthy animals or negligence from the state government.
He made the statement yesterday in response to allegations made against the Rivers State Government by callers on Today 95.1FM discussion progammeon a report of a man accused of selling contaminated cow skin (Ganda) in Lagos.
The butchers’ chairman, however, confirmed that there are donkeys and horses meat on sale in markets and streets across the state but that the donkeys and horses meat were transported into the state from neighboring states, adding that there are meat of unhealthy cows and goats transported from North into the state also.
Baba Ahmad added that, “We have no any legal backing to arrest people transporting contaminated meat into the state without the help and support of the State government. But in our little way we have taken some measures to interrupt sales of contaminated meat across the state.”
“We do not allow any cow or goat that is not health standard to be slaughtered in any abattoir across the state, and officers from ministry of agriculture and ministry of health must inspect the animal before slaughtering and the meat before selling. So any meat from any of the abattoirs is standard beyond reasonable doubt.”
He also called the attention of the State Government to help them to bring an end to selling of contaminated meat in the state. “We are anticipating that Governor Wike will surely help us as he is a statesman not just a politician. and he is a person that put his state first before himself.”
As the re-elected Rivers state governor, Wike pledged to focus on security and agriculture.
Also, the Chief Judge of NBUN Rivers State chapter Alh. Scalar Tunji Niyi pledged to support NBUN. He further explained what Alh. Musa Baba Ahmad has done well in respect to security more than other past Chairmen of the NBUN in the state, “With the help of NBUN Chairman, two Boko Haram members were apprehended in Oginigba Slaughter main Market by military intelligent”
He added that before the inception of Alh. Musa Baba Ahmad as the chairman of NBUN, Oginigba Slaughter main Market had become a battle field for cultists that had claimed two or three lives daily and customers were injured daily. But today, peace has returned to the market.”
He concluded that “With the help of our chairman, NBUN in Rivers is ever ready to support the government on security and agriculture.”
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.
-
News3 days ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics5 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News5 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News3 days ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports5 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Niger Delta3 days agoRoyal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support
-
Politics5 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics5 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries