The Nigerian Navy has distributed educational materials to schools in Opobo, Rivers State, as part of its “Operation Delta Sanity Four” programme.
The goal, according to the Navy is to encourage pupils in their educational pursuits and foster well-rounded development through extracurricular activities.
The initiative, dubbed “Free Educational Rhapsody,” benefited Opobo Primary School, Saint Paul Primary School One and Two, Abaziebie Model Primary School in Opobo/Nkoro and the Nigerian Navy Primary School Pathfinder in Rumuolumeni.
The Commander of Nigeria Navy Ship(NNS) PATHFINDER, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, who was represented Navy Captain Bassey Bassey, said under the programme, launched on October 10, 2024, the Navy aimed to combat crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, piracy, and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta region.
Aniaku noted that the initiative employs both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, with the latter focusing on community outreach and engagement.
He explained: “The educational materials are meant to encourage pupils in their educational pursuits, We understand that without education, there is no development. This initiative also encourages extracurricular activities to help foster well-rounded development in the children.
“The “Free Educational Rhapsody” project is part of the non-kinetic approach, which seeks to win the hearts and minds of local residents. By providing free educational materials, including textbooks, novels, and sporting equipment, the Navy hopes to inspire young minds and promote a culture of learning.”
Receiving the naval officers at the Opobo Palace, Edwin Brown, Vice Chairman of Opobo Council of Traditional Rulers who spoke on behalf of the king of Opobo, Dandeson Douglas, praised the Navy’s efforts, expressing optimism that the outreach would inspire more youths to consider careers in the Navy. He urged the Navy to sustain such initiatives to continue benefiting local communities.
He said: “It is a very good thing that you are starting with the young ones I believe this will surely make a good impression in their minds concerning the navy and this outreach will go a long to make our young ones think of joining of the navy because we also have indigenes of opobo in the Nigerian navy, we are happy to welcome you here and we sure this would yield good fruits in the nearest future and we also pleading that this should be sustained , we want you to be coming from time to time”.
Head teachers from the beneficiary schools, including Sunny Jaja of Opobo Primary School and Uranta Rogers of Abaziebie Model Primary School, expressed their gratitude for the materials. They pledged to ensure the resources are used effectively and noted that the gesture would motivate the students to focus on their studies, with some aspiring to join the Navy in the future.