News
S’South Forum Backs Timi Frank’s Call For Apology To Jonathan …Challenges NLC, Bakare, Sanusi, Other SNG Leaders
Young professionals under the aegis of South-South Emerging Leaders’ Forum (SELF) have commended activist-politician and former deputy national publicity secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, for calling on erstwhile opposition leaders and members of the civil society who sabotaged the administration of former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to apologise to him for undermining democracy in Nigeria.
SELF also berated the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for “mischievously allowing the union to be used against the former President”, wondering why the union has suddenly become docile against the “maladministration of the APC” which has brought more hardship on its members.
The forum said the call by Frank was a patriotic one, adding that for posterity sake, the likes of former CBN governor and now Emir of Kano, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Pastor Tunde Bakare, and so many others who participated in the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) ought to openly toe the path of honour now and speak out against the evils befalling Nigeria.
Frank had at the weekend called on Nigerians, especially those who worked against the reelection of ex-President Jonathan to apologise.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, Chairman of the forum, Dr. Preye Ebi, wondered how all the strong voices who rose against the administration of Goodluck Jonathan, suddenly lost their voices even in the face of “more hardship, killings, insecurity, poverty, unemployment, lack of rule of law and all kinds of backwardness in the country.”
The group called out Pastor Tunde Bakare, “who turned his auditorium to political gathering to criticise Jonathan’s administration to compare and contrast whether Nigeria is now better under his friend (Gen. Muhammadu Bubari) or publicly tender an apology to redeem his image”.
SELF also challenged Sanusi for what it described as unsubstantiated allegation that a certain huge amount of money got missing under Goodkuck Jonathan, saying “the effort was to sabotage Jonathan’s administration.”
On insecurity, SELF recalled how Alhaji Lai Mohammed and other opposition leaders during Jonathan’s administration rose against the proscription of Boko Haram as a terrorist group, “and till today, the government they mischievously brought to power could not find solution but ignorantly empowering more groups to carry arms against innocent Nigerians.
“As it is today, Nigerian roads are not safe, kidnapping has become the order of the day. Governments at all levels now have to negotiate with bandits to have peace,” Ebi lamented.
He also stated that, “Most of the false allegations against Jonathan’s government were fabricated to deliberately grab power which indirectly led to loss of confidence in the Nigerian economy by the international community. Today, those who undermined and weakened the country’s economy are now in power but lack the technical know-how to fix it.”
The forum declared that “not until all the APC leaders, some pastors and Imams, some so-called activists, musicians like Wasiu Ayinde, and many others.
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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