Rivers
Army Clarifies Helicopter Fire On Bonny River
The Nigerian Military has admitted that its combat helicopter shot at a local cargo boat, popularly known as ‘Cotonou Boat’, but clarified that the boat was suspected to be conveying illegally refined petroleum products along the Bonny River.
A statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr disclosed that the Air Component of the Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) carried out the attack while providing air support to ground troops engaged in clearance operations in the incident area.
“The Air Component of the Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) received reports from ground troops, who were on clearance operations but encountered resistance at the point of encounter.
“On receiving the report, a combat helicopter was despatched to provide close air support mission along the Cawthorne Channel.”
The statement said the helicopter, upon accosting the ‘Cotonou Boat’ which was being escorted by two speedboats on high speed, fired warning shots to dissuade the crew of the boat from hostile action but was fired at by the crew and had to engage it accordingly.
“The helicopter encountered an illegal oil bunkerers’ boat popularly called “Cotonou Boat”. The boat which was being escorted by two speedboats was suspected to be carrying illegally refined oil products in large drums along the Channel in the direction of OPDS patrol boats.
“On sighting the boat, warning shots were fired to dissuade the crew from hostile action. The crew fired back at the helicopter and the boat was engaged accordingly.
“The two speedboats detached from the convoy at high speed, leaving the “Cotonou Boat” which was neutralised. The helicopter later went after the two speedboats but was unable to track it. The suspects are still at large and a manhunt has been sent out to apprehend them.”
The defence headquarters reiterated that the military “remains a professional institution that operates in line with best practices through the application of the rules of engagement and code of conduct”.
It further asserted that, “It is also positioned to protect the populace rather than victimising them,” adding that “efforts by anyone to protect criminality by disparaging the actions of the military in preventing economic sabotage and other sundry crimes need to be condemned by all”.
Recall that the media space was awash with reports of an attack on unarmed civilians travelling in a local cargo boat on Thursday, August 26, 2021 from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island, with two of the victims telling journalists that their boat was attacked along the Bonny River near the Dawes Island (Dutch Island) fishing settlement in Okrika Local Government Area of the State.
According to one of the victims, Awwal Rufai, the military helicopter dropped one of its occupants via a rope, who checked the boat and was later pulled back up into the aircraft, which flew off and later resurfaced and dropped to about 500 meters above sea level and opened fire on them but flew off again when they cried out for help.
“Between 1:30 and 2pm a chopper was seen around that area, it came around the first time, went back, came back again the second time and left. The third time it came around, it dropped a rope from the chopper and a personnel was seen coming down from the chopper into the boat and later went back up, next thing they opened fire and started shooting at us.”
Niger Delta
Onuchuku Urges More Funding For Vocational, Technical Education …Calls For Collective Responsibility Among Stakeholders
He also called on educational institutions to maintain high academic and professional standards, while industries should contribute skills development.
Onuchuku, who stated this last Thursday at the 10th Annual Conference of the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, IAUE, also called for collective responsibility among stakeholders.
The Acting VC, who was represented by the Dean of Vocational and Technical Education, Ndele Campus of the university, Prof. Isaac Ogundu, called for collective responsibility among key stakeholders in the industry. Expatiating on the call by the Acting VC in his presentation, Prof. Ogundu identified quality human resources and necessary opportunities for developing their productive capacities as factors that would determine a better future for Nigeria.
He said to attain quality assurance in programmes offered by tertiary institutions, the phenomenon need to be viewed as a strategic investment in human capital and national development.
Making reference to the theme of the conference, “Quality Assurance in Vocational and Technical Education: A Foundation for Sustainable Workforce in Nigeria”, Ogundu, who is the Dean, Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, IAUE, said to attain quality assurance, there has to be collective commitment of all stakeholders.
He said: “building a sustainable workforce is a collective responsibility that requires the commitment of government, educational institutions, employers, professional bodies, teachers, students, and other wider society.
“Government must provide an enabling policy environment and adequate funding for vocational and technical education. Educational institutions must maintain high academic and professional standards. Industry must contribute to skills development and provide opportunities for practical workplace learning. “Teachers and instructors must demonstrate professional competence and commitment to continuous improvement. Students must take responsibility for their learning and embrace discipline, creativity, amd lifelong learning.”
He explained that quality assurance has become “an indispensable component of contemporary education” that provides the framework through which educational institutions establish standards.
According to him, the 10th edition of he conference “is particularly remarkable because it provides an opportunity to reflect on our achievements, assess the challenges confronting Vocational and technical education in Nigeria, and propose practical strategies for improving the quality, relevance, amd effectiveness of skills development.
“It also demonstrates the faculty’s determination to sustain a tradition of intellectual engagement that connects educational research with the practical needs of society, industry, and national development.”
Presenting the Lead Paper, Prof. Hilary Wordu of the Faculty of Education, Rivers State University, said Nigeria’s future will be determined more by what Nigerian do ith the knowledge they have.
“The future of Nigeria’s workforce will not be determined simply by how many people and do with what they have learned.”receive education, but increasingly by the quality of what they are able to know, understand, create and do with what they have learned.”
Sogbeba Dokubo
Wokoma, who disclosed this recently at an emergency meeting with accredited Waste Service Providers in Port Harcourt, said the exercise was in furtherance of the agency’s renewed waste management intervention strategy of the commission.
At the meeting, the Managing Director announced the establishment of a Strategic Intervention Team to address the evacuation of bulky waste materials which ordinary compactors could not effectively handle.
He explained that the intervention was necessary to tackle the growing accumulation of construction debris, scrap metals and other non-compactable refuse found along major roads, medians and other public spaces.
The RIWAMA boss said the ongoing operation had already commenced in parts of Port Harcourt metropolis and Obio/Akpor, adding that Ogbogoro, the Oil Mill axis and neighbouring communities would be covered in the next phase.
“The exercise was part of the Rivers State Government’s commitment to ensuring a clean, safe and healthy environment for residents and visitors”, He said.
Wokoma assured residents that the agency would sustain the evacuation until all identified waste disposal points within the designated areas had been cleared.
He also disclosed that routine refuse collection by accredited waste service providers would continue alongside the special evacuation exercise to prevent fresh accumulation of refuse.
The Managing Director called for greater cooperation among residents, community leaders and market associations, stressing that environmental sanitation could only be achieved through collective responsibility.
Meanwhile, the RIWAMA boss urged residents to support the agency’s operations by adopting proper waste disposal practices and ensuring that refuse was handed over to authorised waste collection operators.
She further cautioned members of the public against indiscriminate dumping of refuse on roads, medians, drainage channels and other unauthorised locations, noting that such practices undermine efforts to maintain environmental cleanliness.
The agency also advised residents to patronise only accredited waste service providers, while reaffirming its commitment to strengthening waste management operations and restoring the Garden City status of Port Harcourt.
King Onunwor & Fruitful Wodi
The sensitisation campaign was conducted recently by the State POCACOV Command led by its chairman, Amb. Eke Onwuka, at Community Boys Secondary School, Elelenwo, Obio/Akpor Local Government.
The campaign, according to the Command, became necessary in view of the increasing concerns over cult-related activities, bullying and other social vices within and outside the school environment, which poses serious threats to students’ safety, academic performance and future aspirations.
A resource person, ASP Amatemeso Samuel of the CRU Department, who represented the Rivers State Coordinator, urged the students to develop clear life plans and remain focused on their academic pursuits, stressing that discipline and determination were essential to achieving their ambitions.
He encouraged the students to take their education seriously and cultivate the values of responsible citizenship, noting that the future of the country depended largely on the character, commitment and contributions of the younger generation.
In a separate presentation, ASP Samuel Akpos spoke extensively on the dangers and consequences of cultism and drug abuse, warning the students against involvement in activities capable of destroying their academic careers, personal lives and future opportunities.
Akpos advised the students to promptly report every form of misconduct, bullying and other negative activities within the school to the appropriate authorities, rather than remaining silent or allowing such behaviour to thrive. The Principal of the school expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, for his efforts towards combating crime and cultism in the state, urging him to sustain the initiative.
The Principal particularly commended the Commissioner of Police for identifying the challenges confronting the school and deploying the POCACOV team to educate and sensitise the students on the dangers associated with social vices.
Responding on behalf of the students, the Senior School Prefect applauded the efforts of the Rivers State Police Command through POCACOV, expressing gratitude to the ambassadors for taking time to visit the school and educate them.
King Onunwor & Goodness Emelue
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