The Nigerian Navy has launched an educational outreach programme in Rivers State as part of activities marking its 70th anniversary celebration, with a call on youths to shun illegal oil refining and other criminal activities.

The outreach, carried out on Friday by Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, involved the distribution of educational materials to schools within its host communities in the state.

Items distributed included customised exercise books, textbooks, pens, rulers, pencils, erasers, whiteboards and markers, footballs, and other sports facilities.

Beneficiary schools were Nigerian Navy Primary School Borokiri, Nigerian Navy Primary School Pathfinder and Community Primary School Mgbuodohia.

Speaking during the exercise, Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Mutalib Ibikunle Raji, said the initiative was aimed at supporting education and steering young people away from criminal activities.

Represented by the First Lieutenant of the Base, Commander Hassan Yahaya, Raji said the Navy decided to support schools within its operational areas as part of its corporate social responsibility.

“We went round three schools within our areas of responsibility to distribute educational materials as our little way of supporting the education of the students,” he said.

According to him, the programme was also designed to discourage youths from engaging in illegal refining, pipeline vandalism and other activities capable of harming the nation’s economy.

“The goal is to support education and channel the attention of young people towards learning and productive ventures for a better society,” he added.
Raji noted that the gesture was part of efforts by the Navy to strengthen civil-military relations with host communities.

He urged students and youths to remain focused on their education and avoid criminal activities that could jeopardise their future.

“We are committed to protecting national assets and safeguarding the maritime domain in line with the mandate of the Chief of the Naval Staff,” he said.

Head Teacher of Community Primary School Mgbuodohia, Mrs. Nwobo Salome, commended the Navy for the intervention, noting that the donated materials would support learning and reduce financial pressure on parents.

The head teachers of the benefiting schools also assured that the items would be fairly distributed and properly utilised.

Speaking on behalf of the pupils, Head Girl of Nigerian Navy Primary School Pathfinder, Victoria Tanee, expressed appreciation to the Navy, saying the materials would greatly enhance learning in the schools.