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Jonathan Reassures Nigerians On Electoral Reforms
President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday reiterated his determination to correct defects in the country’s electoral process.
He made the remarks in an address at a civic reception held for him on the occasion of his one-day working visit to the state on Saturday.
The President was earlier at Oghara where he inaugurated the Delta University Teaching Hospital and the headquarters of Nigerian Navy Logistics.
“My dear brothers and sisters, I am eager to correct the defect in the electoral process as we are all familiar with it,’’ Jonathan said at the reception.
“I don’t need to over labour you about that because the government is totally committed to a clean electoral process.’’
He commended the Delta government for its efforts in infrastructure development, and pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of the entire Niger Delta region.
“Let me assure you that I am irrevocably committed to the development of the Niger Delta. We must develop the region to restore confidence and hope among our people and children.
“The Niger Delta master plan for development is on course and we will assist the NDDC and all the state governments to key in,’’ he said.
He stressed that the Nigerian Navy Logistics Command located in the state was critical to the realisation of the master plan, stressing that security of Delta and its water ways was important to the nation.
“This explains why government continues to invest in the modernisation of the Armed Forces and the regular updating of the weaponry to improve their capacity and capability to deal decisively with situations that demand attention.
“The Delta University Teaching Hospital which I commissioned today is a land mark development project, not for only the people of the state but also all Nigerians.
“With the kind of equipment we observed today, I believe it will help us to a greater extent in terms of healthcare delivery and this is commendable,’’ he stated.
Jonathan pledged to do everything within his power to assist Delta to continue to make progress, adding that he was also working with all the governors in the Niger Delta to sustain the Amnesty Programme.
He promised that the region would not be allowed to lag behind.
“As regards the amnesty, my self and all the governors in the region are working together, holding meetings every month to make sure that we are on the same pace.
“This is because we can no longer allow the area to continue to lag behind and what government needs to do, we must all collectively do it,’’ he said.
Speaking earlier, Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan appealed to all oil companies to account for the mess their continued environmental degradation and the oil spill had created in the region.
According to him, oil spill and environmental damage in the Niger Delta is worse than the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and has made investigation of oil damage in the area urgent and compelling.
He said the state had spent more than N15 billion on Independent Power Project in the state to address its power need.
“In laying out our vision, it is clear that we desired to build a world -class economy but our frustration, which is not peculiar to Delta, is the challenge of power supply,” he stated.
“Delta has a power demand of 1000 megawatt of which only 100 megawatt is available from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, this is highly inadequate.’’
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.