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Ogoni Clean-Up:Lawmaker Urges Caution
A one-time Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the House of Representatives re-run election, Rt. Hon Dumnamene Dekor, has said that the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report by the Federal Government would be a time bomb in Ogoniland, if wrongly implemented.
The former lawmaker, who spoke with The Tide in an interview in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, said it was the desire of every Ogoni citizen that the environment should be cleaned, warning that the way the process of implementation of the recommendations is being managed could trigger another round of crisis in the area.
He alleged that the APC politicians in Ogoni were the ones politicising the implementation of the UNEP report, stressing that the Ogoni people had suffered a lot as a result of environmental degradation, and deserved a comprehensive clean-up in line with the recommendations contained in the UNEP report.
He accused the politicians of making it appear as if the implementation of the UNEP report could not go ahead, if they did not occupy elective offices.
Similarly, the former deputy speaker, has accused the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of masterminding the crises in the state, as a plot to unseat the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The lawmaker alleged that the plot hatched by APC leaders in the state was to cause violence, so that the Federal Government would declare a state of emergency and sack the governor.
But, he stated: “Declaration of state of emergency, the National Assembly is there and it requires two-third majority. But, the truth is this, nothing has happened in Rivers State to deserve emergency.
“Mr. President (Muhammadu Buhari) is the President of Nigeria and represents the interest of all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation. What is happening in Rivers State is something they have to retrace their steps
“Democracy is about the people; most of them causing the crisis lack the support of the Rivers people. They have created a monstrous posture of themselves outside the state. These people have to realise that the state governor was elected by the people.”
“You see a situation where the governor makes a broadcast, only for the former governor to make his own broadcast. Such action generates pockets of crisis. For a former governor to make a broadcast where there is an incumbent governor is to cause friction in the state,” Dekor stressed.
Dekor, who is seeking re-election into the House of Representatives for Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, alleged that the APC knew that the people would vote against its candidates, and decided to use the military to intimidate voters.
“Even at that, you saw what happened at the polls. The people voted and protected their votes in the face of intimidation and harassment.
“When you want to lead the people, you don’t impose yourself on them. That is why the APC has to retrace its steps. Our brothers in APC must come to terms with the fact that the people have spoken.”
According to him, the last election would have ended peacefully had the military not targeted PDP supporters for harassment, noting that his agent during the election, was unlawfully detained by soldiers, who, he alleged, were taking orders from an APC chieftain.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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.