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Benue Pensioners’ Protests: PDP Fingers APC
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has alleged that the protests by pensioners in the state over unpaid pensions and gratuity is being sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The PDP was reacting to the ongoing protest and occupation of the Benue State Government House by pensioners in the state which entered the fifth day yesterday.
State Chairman of the party, Sir John Ngbede, who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Makurdi at the weekend, noted that the APC and other individuals in the state were using the pensioners to score cheap political goals.
Flanked by members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party, Ngbede observed that the pensioners may have fallen to the ‘antics’ of the APC.
The PDP Chairman, who noted that since the commencement of the protests the APC had been providing vehicles to ferry pensioners to the venue of the protest, noted that it was part of plans by the state APC to discredit the Ortom-led administration.
He stressed that “We are particularly concerned by certain dimensions to the protests which strongly indicated they (pensioners) had fallen hostage to the antics of the opposition APC in the state who attempted to use it to score cheap political points.
“The involvement of APC in the retirees protests must be identified rightly for what it was, as yet another of the unending desperate antics of the opposition party to discredit the PDP-led administration of Governor Ortom since it won power through the popular ballot at the last elections.
“But of more grave concern was the involvement of chieftains of the APC with the protesting pensioners who took up positions at the entrance to the Peoples House, where the governor resides and works.
“We are also aware that chieftains of the opposition APC since the protests began were active in providing vehicles to ferry people to the venue of the protests”, adding that at a point it became doubtful whether everyone of the protesters were actually retirees.”
Ngbede also observed that “There was a much publicised visit to the protesting pensioners by former Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, to ostensibly identify with their (pensioners’) plight.
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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