Donates 8 gunboats to Navy

From: TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor,  Nyesom Wike,  has declared his support for the unity of Nigeria,  stressing that he would never support anything that would cause the division of the country.

Wike stated this yesterday, while commissioning eight Epenol boats donated to the Nigerian Navy by the State government, charging the military to protect the maritime environment and people of the State.

He declared: “I believe in the unity of this country; this country will move forward.  I will not support the division of this country.” Governor Wike stressed that the security of the State was paramount and urged the Chief of Defence Staff,  General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin,  to use the boats for the benefit of people of the State.

He  also announced the further acquisition  of 13 Special Boats to be distributed to the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police for enhanced maritime security.

The security gunboats donated to the  the Nigerian Navy are fitted with special security features, 200 horse power engine, 12.7mm guns, automatic grenade launchers and communication  facilities  to navigate Rivers Waterways and creeks. Launching the security gunboats at the Federal Lighter Terminal, Onne, Governor Wike said that his administration remained committed to the promotion of security of lives and property across the state.

He stated that his administration’s  deliberate investments  in the security  architecture  of  the  state has yielded positive results as Rivers was one of the safest states  where people carry out their businesses without  molestation.

He said: “These boats  are for the security of  lives and property  in Rivers State.  They should not be taken to the neighbouring  states on any account. Any state that wants to secure her waterways  should purchase her own gunboats.

“The truth is that security  is paramount.  There is no governance  without security.  That is why this administration  is investing in security.  We are doing everything  humanly  possible  to support  the security  agencies to carry out their responsibilities”.

The governor directed the Nigerian Navy to ensure that they stop sea-pirates from operating  in the State.

He warned the  Navy against  using the gunboats  for the rigging of  elections, assuring that he would always promote  the  unity of the country.

Meanwhile,  the CDS,  General Olonisakin, has charged personnel of the Nigerian Navy to be firm in the fight against terrorism in the North-East and kidnapping,  oil theft as well as sea piracy in the Niger Delta region.

Olonisakin tasked the personnel during the passing out parade of of over 1 ,100 ratings of Batch 25,  who graduated from the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS),  Onne, near Port Harcourt

“You are being brought into the Navy when the country is having significant security challenges. Abide by the charge of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on security of life and property.

“It is also pertinent to draw your attention to some contemporary challenges,  which you will have to confront as a member of the Nigerian Navy family.  You may,  no doubt,  be aware of the security challenges facing our beloved country,  especially in the North – East and Niger Delta.

“The Nigerian Navy is actively engaged in the collective national efforts to resolve these challenges,  which cover insurgency and terrorism in the North-East; crude oil theft,  illegal oil bunkering,  pipeline vandalism,  illegal refining of petroleum products in Niger Delta,  with its tremendous ecological damage to the environment,  armed robbery at our waterways and piracy in our portion of Gulf of Guinea.

“You will shortly find yourself directly engaged in the various ongoing efforts to stamp out these security challenges.  I expect you to be courageous,  morally upright and resilient in whatever role that you find yourself playing as part of the national effort to decisively confront these endemic ills.

He urged the newly commissioned trainees to bear in mind the disciplines they were introduced into during the period of their training and advised them to be obedient and courageous.

Olonisakin tasked them to shun attitudes that might bring to question the professional conducts of the military,  warning them to remain apolitical.

“Remember that the true test of the training that has been impacted on you here in the past months will be determined by the way you conduct yourself in the field against the security issues that I have enumerated.

The CDS commissioned three blocks storey building accommodation for ratings and two blocks hostel for under training officers (UTOs), commended the collaborative efforts of the security agencies in the training of the ratings and thanked Governor of Rivers State,  Chief Nyesom Wike and traditional rulers for their contributions.

In his remarks, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas commended the  State Governor for his provision of the gunboats and other logistical support.

He assured the governor that the Nigerian Navy would put the gunboats to use as they ensure the promotion of security of lives and property in Rivers State.

 


…Urges traditional rulers to shun partisan politics 

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has reiterated his call on traditional rulers to shun partisan politics.

Speaking during the 75 birthday of the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Amanyanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, yesterday in Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said that traditional rulers should focus on issues of culture, tradition and development of their respective communities.

The governor praised the celebrator for always being apolitical and serving as an example to other traditional rulers.

The governor said that during the 2015 general elections, some traditional rulers refused to receive him, as was the norm.

He noted that King Jaja paid the price for being apolitical.

He said: “The Amanyanabo of Opobo and the Chairman of the Rivers Council of Traditional Rulers was humiliated for his decision to be apolitical.

“I will correct everything that was done to humiliate him in the past because he decided to be apolitical “.

In his remarks, King Jaja gave thanks to God for his mercies.

He said God has seen him through all his life challenges, especially when he lost his wife and son within two weeks during the 23 years battle for the stool of the Amanyanabo of Opobo.

He commended Governor Wike for executing people oriented projects  across the state.