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PDP Senators Visit Jonathan, Pledge Support …As Saraki Reviews Committees
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators yesterday paid a surprise visit to former President Goodluck Jonathan, in his country home in Otuoke, Bayelsa State.
Reacting to the visit, yesterday, the ex-president on his @GEJonathan said: “I thank the distinguished senators who paid me a visit earlier today (Thursday), and I urge them to continue giving Nigeria their all”.
Since the former President handed over power to Muhammadu Buhari after conceding defeat in the presidential election in 2015, he has not been seen actively participating in the activities of PDP.
The PDP has also been rocked by leadership tussles and controversies with two factions battling for the chairmanship position of the party.
Jonathan since handing over to Buhari has focused on building his Goodluck Jonathan Foundation and was noticeably absent at the PDP’s convention.
Perhaps, in a move to make the former President an active member of the party, the senators paid a visit to him although details of the visit have not been made public yet.
The former president has however insisted that he has no plan to contest for the Presidency in 2019 so it is unlikely the meeting has anything to do with making him the party’s presidential candidate for 2019 election.
The visit by the senators generated reactions from Nigerians. While some commended the move and exalted Jonathan as a true statesman, others described him as a man who allowed corruption to flourish in the country.
Meanwhile, Senate President Bukola Saraki, yesterday, reshuffled the leaderships of the Senate’s committees, in what has been described as one of the moves to return peace to the troubled Red Chamber, since June 9, 2015.
Senator Kabiru Marafa, former Chairman of the Committee on National Population was appointed chairman of the Petroleum (Downstream) Committee. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, former chairman, Committee on Women Affairs was named chairperson of the Committee on Environment.
Senator Suleiman Hukunyi is now chairman of the Committee on National Identity.
These lawmakers were all outspoken critics of the Saraki-led Senate.
Saraki made the announcement shortly before the Senate adjourned, yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Senate, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to put in necessary measures to evacuate Nigerians in South Sudan, currently facing internal conflicts.
The decision followed a Point of Order by the Deputy Spokesman of the Senate, Sen. Ben Bruce, at plenary.
Bruce while raising the point of order said that reports reaching him indicated that Nigerians in Sudan were the only nationals still left in the country in spite of the increasing tension.
According to him, rather than being evacuated by the authorities, Nigerians in South Sudan are being subjected to question and answer sessions and subsequently dismissed.
“As we speak, in the Hallowed Chamber, the fate of Nigerians in South Sudan is unknown and there are no indications that they have been evacuated,’’ he said.
Bruce urged the Senate to summon the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, to explain why Nigerians were allegedly abandoned in the war torn country.
The lawmaker also urged the Senate to mandate the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, to carry out holistic investigation into what transpired between Nigerians at the Nigerian Embassy in the country.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said the relevant authorities would be communicated appropriately to ensure that the lives of Nigerians in South Sudan were not in danger.
“Ben Murray Bruce came to discuss this matter with me and I think that based on our rule there will be no debate.
“But we will get the message across to the relevant Ministry to see that a thing like this doesn’t happen and action is taken to properly address the matter.’’
The Republic of South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, following a referendum that passed with 98.83 per cent of the vote.
The country, has however, suffered internal conflicts since its independence, with a resurgence of violence following its fifth anniversary as a country.
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.