Niger Delta
SSS Nabs Suspect Over Illegal School
The State Security Service in Cross River last Friday, announced the arrest of a 40-year-old man for using an illegal school to issue fake degree and certificate to people.
Mrs Mary Otubu, the State Director, Department of State Service, Cross River Command, paraded the suspect, Babatunde Cole, before journalists in Calabar.
Otubu told newsmen that the suspect had been running a “co-educational consult’’ in Lagos before he was apprehended by SSS operatives on July 31 in Lagos following a tip off by authorities of the University of Calabar.
She said Cole deceived recipients of the certificates, diplomas and degrees into believing that they were issued by the University of Calabar.
She said the “illegal satellite campus“ was used by the suspect to award post-graduate degrees, professional certificate and post-graduate diplomas to unsuspecting members of the public.
Cole told newsmen that he would not have been involved in the business if he knew that it was illegal.
The suspect said he started the business about eight years ago and had, so far, issued 50 Post Graduate certificates and 100 fake Masters Degree certificates from his school.
He said he normally charged N98, 000 for Post Graduate Diploma and N245, 000 for a Masters Degree.
Also speaking, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), UNICAL, Prof. Okon Ekpa, appealed to members of the public to stop patronising frauders.
Niger Delta
NDDC Begins N50,000 Monthly Payment To 10,000 N’Delta Youths

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has begun the payment of N50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 indigenous youths from the Niger Delta under its Youths Internship Scheme.
The Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, yesterday.
She explained that the beneficiaries would undergo practical, hands-on training across the various organisations for 12 months to develop critical skills.
Recall that during the inauguration of the scheme on July 31, 2024, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had announced the Federal Government’s approval of a N50,000 monthly stipend for the trainees.
According to Thompson-Wakama, the commission has successfully completed the selection process and has begun placing trainees in organisations to gain practical experience.
“Consequently, with the completion of these phases, the payment of the monthly stipends has also commenced,” she announced.
She revealed that the 10,000 beneficiaries were transparently selected from over 3.2 million youths who registered for the empowerment programme.
“This unprecedented response highlights the immense potential and aspirations of our youths to improve themselves.
“NDDC remains steadfast in ensuring this life-changing opportunity reaches the most deserving candidates, creating a lasting impact and paving the way for a brighter future,” she stated.
Thompson-Wakama explained that the scheme had enabled the commission to collate essential data, including the qualifications, skills, interests, needs, and employment status of the youths in the region.
The data, she explained, would guide the commission in designing programmes tailored to address the unique challenges faced by young people.
She disclosed that the NDDC partnered with KPMG, a global audit and consultancy firm, to enhance the commission’s corporate governance framework.
“KPMG has produced a Governance Advisory Report that will serve as a tool to support the commission’s transition from a transaction-based to a transformation-focussed policy,” Thompson-Wakama added.
The director commended the youths for their patience and cooperation during the selection process for the scheme.
Niger Delta
Oborevwori Tasks Public Officers On Selflessness

Niger Delta
C’ River Committed To Mangrove Restoration – Gov

-
Politics3 days ago
Controversy As Ondo Dep Gov Allegedly Incurs N130m Hotel Bill In One Year
-
News18 hours ago
Shake-ups At Federal Varsities As Tinubu Sacks UniAbuja, UNN VCs, Appoints New Leaders
-
Business15 hours ago
Lokpobiri Condemns Abandoned Refinery Project in N’Delta … Vows Revival
-
News3 days ago
FG Unveils National Broadband Alliance To Drive Internet Access
-
Nation3 days ago
Anglican Church Inaugurates New Deanery In Etche
-
Business17 hours ago
Dangote Refinery Exports Jet Fuel To Saudi Aramco
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
D’Gov Emphasizes Agriculture In Industrialization … Tasks LG Health Authorities On Discipline
-
Editorial3 days ago
Israel-Gaza War: Sustaining The Ceasefire