News
Rivers PDP Decry Politicisation Of Soot By APC
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State chapter says it was shocking that the All Progressives Congress (APC), having failed in politicising security to instigate crisis in the state, has resorted to using same propaganda and blackmail to bear on the ravaging soot in Port Harcourt, describing the development as ‘self hate’.
The state Chairman of the PDP, Bro Felix Obuah stated this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, in reaction to accusation by the APC, linking Governor Nyesom Wike to illegal refineries and other activities, inducing the soot in the state.
Attributing the APC’s blindness to the virtues of the Wike-led administration, particularly his untiring efforts to contain the soot menace to hate, the PDP said in no imaginable situation has the expression, ‘prejudice being the maximum hate for the minimum reason’, so real than in APC’s assessment of Wike.
The state PDP chairman said the concern of Wike was to ensure that all activities causing the soot menace were roundly tackled and stopped, and not APC’s commendation, reminding the likes of Davies Ikanya and his cohorts that ‘hate’ has always been the coward’s revenge for being frightened.
Rather than expose themselves as idle minds and commentators on non-existing situations, the Obuah said the APC could do well to assist the party in sorting out the confusion and problems ravaging the party both at the state and national levels.
Obuah, however, applauded Davies Ikanya for once admitting in its accusation that the APC was only rattling from a disadvantaged standpoint and could not have said anything to the contrary concerning the soot menace in Port Harcourt which Wike has spared no efforts in addressing.
On their boasting of eliminating the soot menace six months upon assumption of office in 2019, the state PDP chairman said that was an admission of guilt which has corroborated Wike’s position that the Federal Government was plotting to exterminate the Rivers population by encouraging activities that cause the dangerous soot.
Also on APC’s hope of grabbing political power in Rivers State in 2019, Obuah said such reality only exists in a fool’s paradise.
“Rivers people now know better, and are much more prepared to repeat the 2015 landslide victory for the PDP even in 2019 and beyond”, the state PDP boss declared.
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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