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Rivers Crisis: God’s In Control -Amaechi
Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi has enjoined Rivers people and Nigerians not to harbor fears over the political crisis in the state as God was in full control.
Speaking at the 14th International Women Conference of the Wailing Women Worldwide on Sunday in Port Harcourt, Amaechi said he was not a stranger to crisis as he recalled similar experiences from the time he bidded to be Speaker of the State House of Assembly even to the governorship level.
He said,” When we are about going for the Speaker that is when the song- You will share your glory came up and dominated our house.. By that time whatever is happening now I mean was happening to me then. They had falsified my election results that I did not win an election and we went to court to contest the election. The first tribunal said we did not win and I said all those who gang up to make me lose at the tribunal will gang up to make me lose at the appeal. And the whole world was against us, but we went to the appeal and won; that is how I became the speaker.’’
He said the same scenario played out at the governorship level, when the party suspended him and he went into exile for nearly eight months.
“ I was praying and fasting from six O’ clock in the morning to six o clock in the evening everyday from February to October’’, he said.
Amaechi recalled that though various men of God had predicted that he would win the legal tussle to emerge governor, he had wondered how that could be possible until he prayed ceaselessly and God heard him when the Supreme Court announced his victory.
The governor observed that some of his policies and political decisions were not borne out of courage or fearlessness but that he had always hoped on God’s infinite mercy and grace along the way.
“Nigerians think I ‘am courageous and I said I have no courage. The only problem I have is that once I kneel down to God and I finish praying I surrender to God that anything that comes my way I take.
It was the same God’s grace, he stressed that gave him courage to frustrate plans of his political opponents to impeach him. Amaechi recalled what happened on that fateful day at the assembly” If you watch the issue of impeachment, their plan was to impeach the speaker and impeach the governor and to tell you how God works in my life, when I drove out alone in my car knowing that there were thugs and policemen that belong to the other people, by the time I got to the gate, my security had met me up. But one question you will ask is- what gave me the courage to drive out without security? It is because of God Almighty that I worship. I knew that God will find a solution before I get there, and by the time I got there, God has found a solution.
“ They will continue to do what they are doing now and intimidating many women. They even ask why they are praying for him, but watch out and see, just be patient and see the handiwork of God,’’ Amaechi assured.
“ I told God that I will pursue education because it is from there the children will become responsible to take care of their parents. And I promised myself that education will be free so that parents will not have to look for money to train their children’’.
The Rivers governor while commending the women group for their faith in God urged them to pray for him and the government of the state.” The prayer is not God to give me appointment or something. The greatest prayer you can pray for me is God may this man remain in your presence. If I remain in God’s presence, every other thing will come because God is happy with you. Somebody can be angry and anybody can come and fight anybody but you will see the way God works.
Earlier, the Guest Speaker and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), Apostle Zilly Aggrey submitted that God has given mandate to women to pray for their families and nations.
Apostle Aggrey, who quoted from Chronicle 5 and Haggai observed that its beautiful to see Christian women from different parts of the world come together irrespective of race and colour to fellowship together, pointing out that God answers such prayers.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.