News
Governors’ Meeting, Ends In Stalemate
The meeting of the Nigeria Governors‘ Forum (NGF) on
Wednesday in Abuja ended in a stalemate without the usual media briefing by its
Chairman, Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi.
Our correspondent reports that the meeting, which was to
discuss the forum’s stance on the on-going constitutional amendment, was attended
by nine governors and eight Deputies.
The Governors include those of Rivers, Ebonyi, Akwa-Ibom,
Ekiti, Ondo, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano and Kogi states.
Deputy Governors of Niger, Adamawa, Yobe, Jigawa, Cross
River, Bayelsa, Delta and Nasarawa states also attended the meeting.
The forum had at its last meeting of August 8 deferred its
debate on the on-going constitutional amendment until the end of the Ramadan
fasting period.
Amaechi, the forum’s chairman, said the forum would continue
the debate when Muslim faithfuls had returned from the Lesser Hajj.
This, however, meant that the media was not briefed on the
outcome of the closed-door meeting which ended without any communiqué.
It would be recalled that the northern state governors,
ahead of the review of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly, had
opposed the creation of state police.
It had also opposed the inclusion of the country’s six
geo-political zones in the Constitution.
The governors also demanded the abrogation of the
offshore/onshore dichotomy and the derivation principle.
The derivation principle allows oil-producing states to
retain 13 per cent of the total revenue derived from exploration of mineral
resources.
The position of the governors is to set the tone of debate
on these contentious issues by members of the National Assembly during the
constitutional amendment process.
The Northern Governors’ Forum had hinted that it would
communicate its position on these issues to lawmakers from the North to serve
as a guide during the review process.
The 19 northern state governors’ position came on the heels
of a statement credited to the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to the
effect that the 36 governors had agreed that state police was long overdue.
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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