News
RSG Sets Blueprint For 50 Years’ Dev …Plans Corporate, Govt Summit
As part of the Golden Jubilee anniversary, the Rivers State Government has set up a committee to formulate a road map for the state in the next 50 years.
The plan was made public by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam- George, during a chat with newsmen at the weekend in Port Harcourt.
The new road map is labelled, “Rivers Future Vision” and is driven by a sub-committee in the state Golden Jubilee anniversary.
According to Tam-George, the committee has already started collating ideas and plans that will form the bedrock of the state development by the time it clocks 100 years
The commissioner added, “the Rivers Future Vision Committee is set up with the aim to exploit other potentials of the state. In the next 50 years, we are totally going to have a different Rivers State. We are having a constant debate on how we can move away from oil and gas.”
He revealed that when once the collation is concluded, the committee will study them based on each sector and will engage the private sector as well.
Tam-George further stated that by June after the celebrations, a Corporate and Government Summit will be held to put them into policy statements.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani has stated that the legislature is poised to provide laws that will drive the state tourism potentials.
He made disclosure while speaking at the sidelines of the state Golden Jubilee Boat Regatta event, last Saturday, in Port Harcourt.
Ibani said, “if our potentials are properly harnessed, I tell you, Rivers State will be the number one tourism destination. Tourism is now a revenue earner and a lot of our people travel abroad just to look at the seas and weather of other countries.”
The speaker lauded the organisers for organising the boat regatta event as it displays the culture and activities of those in the riverine by giving them a sense of belonging.
Also, Commissioner for Transport, Deacon Akie Fubara, said the Wike administration is putting infrastructure on ground to encourage tourism.
He noted that the construction of new jetties built and the acquisition of gun boats to patrol the seas will encourage tourism as people will feel safe to travel to different destinations in the state.
Fubara further stated that the ministry will soon train marine drivers on latest safety and driving skills to boost safety on our waterways.
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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