News
Osinbajo Attributes Peace In Benue To God’s Intervention
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the return of peace in Benue State is a proof that God answers prayers.
Osinbajo said this while addressing congregants at the 15th National Biennial Delegate Conference of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) tagged ‘Benue-2019’ in Makurdi yesterday.
He said the conference would not have come to fruition if peace had not returned to the state.
Osinbajo, who started with a praise and worship song, acknowledged that it was God that spared his life in the recent Helicopter crash.
“It is a special pleasure to be here; I have a special reason to be grateful to God; I bring to you very warm greetings from President Muhammadu Buhari for a successful conference.
“My reason for being excited is because Benue, in many senses, is a proof that God answers prayers; it is a proof that Nigeria is in the hands of God.
“I have been here on three previous occasions; to sympathise with flood victims; to attend funeral of priests and thirdly to visit Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the farmers/herders clash.
“All the three were occasions of mourning; of course, for those of us who know the history, Benue has had clashes, killings, farmers/herders clashes every year since 2011.
“Today, because of your prayers, prayers of saints, PFN is gathered here in a peaceful Benue,” he said.
The vice president said families of the congregants would not have allowed them to attend the conference if tales of clashes and killings were still the case in the state.
He said the state which is the food basket of the nation, deserves prayers.
According to Osinbajo, it is righteousness that exalts a nation; hence the need for Christians to stand on the side of truth not that of corruption.
He urged PFN members to always love and pray for Nigeria.
The vice president told the congregants that there was need for them to also fast and pray for him.
PFN’s President, Rev Felix Omobude, led the congregation on a special prayer session for Osinbajo.
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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