News
Archbishop Cautions Jonathan On Fuel Subsidy
Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Niger Delta Anglican Commission, Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey, has cautioned President Goodluck Jonathan against being stampeded into removing the subsidy on petroleum products.
In a telephone interview with The Tide, Archbishop Kattey who is also Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta, remarked that the issue of fuel subsidy removal had been a thorny political one which Jonathan’s predecessors could not implement apparently because of the volatile nature of the policy.
Kattey recalled that Nigerians under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had resisted the planed removal of fuel subsidy under the administration of self-styled military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and the governments of Olusegun Obasanjo and Musa Yar’Adua.
He wondered why Jonathan, a Niger Delta son should be used as a tool into removing fuel subsidy which his predecessors tactically avoided.
The cleric therefore advised the president to beware of his advisers who would persuade him into taking a nasty decision on the subject matter which is likely to impact negatively on the lives of the citizenry.
While acknowledging that Nigeria has the cheapest rate in fuel pump price in the world over, Kattey said where the planned removal became inevitable, it should be done in phases in order to minimize the effect of the action on the people.
He also listed another step that Jonathan should take before lifting the seal of fuel subsidy, advising that government should endeavour to tie the revenue accruing from the subsidy to development projects.
The Archbishop noted that the Church of Nigeria prayed for the election of President Jonathan, and said that the church would not want him to take wrong decisions that would bring untold hardship to the people.
He, however, used the forum to pray for the peace, unity and progress of the nation, urging Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political leaning to be supportive of government’s efforts at improving the lots of the people.
Soye Young-Itiye
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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