News
No Amnesty For Corrupt Public Officials In Rivers -Tam-George
The Rivers State Commissioner for information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George, has stated that there will be no amnesty for corrupt public officials in Rivers State.
Tam-George stated this while speaking as a special guest on ‘View Point’, a current affairs programme of Rhythm 93.7 FM in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The commissioner disclosed that the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration in the state will remain committed to its moral obligation of keeping watch over the management of the commonwealth of Rivers State, and pointed out that all public officials who violated the public trust, through the misuse of public funds would be held responsible.
The commissioner, who described accountability as a critical component of governance, said it was necessary to unravel the questionable expenditure profile of the previous administration, noting that, “It would be a gross injustice to Rivers people, if we don’t find out what happened to over N3trillion expended by the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi administration. This is the only state where there was no handover of even a scrap of paper. Glossing over such impropriety will hunt us in the future”.
In x-raying the activities of the previous administration, the commissioner said government was not embarking on a witch-hunt but adhering to the principles of justice.
He said a judicial panel of inquiry was set up by the Wike administration, which was endorsed by the court, adding that the recommendations of the panel clearly indict the Amaechi administration.
Commenting on the Supreme Court ruling that upheld the election of Chief Nyesom Wike as the duly elected governor of Rivers State, the commissioner said the judgment was a justification that sovereignty belongs to the people.
He said the massive jubilation in the streets of Port Harcourt and across communities in the state over the Supreme Court verdict was a strong indication that Rivers people were happy over the restoration of their mandate.
Tam-George further hinted that the Wike administration was all-inclusive, and ready to accommodate and integrate the opposition into its development plan.
He pointed out that within few months in the saddle; Wike had proven to be a pragmatic leader by embarking on massive infrastructural development projects, especially in road construction.
He explained that the present administration has a firmer grasps of the dynamics of governance, adding that the government will diversify its development drive by building capacity in all sectors of the economy.
The commissioner, who described participation in governance as “a fundamental right of the people”, however, distinguished delivering governance from being in government.
“You don’t need to be in office to be part of this administration; the Wike government is ready to accommodate good ideas from everybody, irrespective of party affiliation to move the state forward. No matter how brilliant a monologue is, it can’t be better than a dialogue”, he said.
Taneh Beemene
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.