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Upata Assembly Declares War Against Cultism
Irked by the spate of criminal activities in Ahoada-East Constituency II, Upata Kingdom made up of 21 towns, has constituted a Security Committee to liaise with law enforcement agencies in fishing out perpetrators of heinous crimes in the area.
This was the outcome of an Upata Assembly meeting held at Edeoha town, the political headquarters of the constituency on Saturday and facilitated by the lawmaker representing the area at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ibiso Nwuche.
Announcing the resolution of the meeting after an intensive deliberation, an opinion leader in the area, Mr Pedro Egbe said cases of kidnap and cult clashes were on the increase, and that people have resolved to set up a Committee that would identify suspects within their various communities and involve the security agencies in dealing with them.
Mr Egbe explained that the people had earlier canvassed traditional approach of confronting the parents of suspects or ostracise them from the community but superior argument punctured the idea.
He, however said that the names of the committee members to work with security agencies would not be made public because of the sacred and serious nature of their assignment.
According to him, “we want to ensure that we move Upata kingdom forward by ensuring peaceful coexistence,” adding that the meeting also deliberated on the procedure for the emergence of Eze Upada whose stool has been declared vacant following the death and burial of Eze C. Nwuche.
In a chat with The Tide, Hon. Ibiso Nwuche, said he was moved to initiate the meeting because his Constituency had experienced an high level of criminality such as kidnapping and cult-related fighting for the last one year.
Hon Nwuche hinted that the stool of his late father that became vacant had started to generate division among the people, hence the need to hold the meeting made up of chiefs, CDC members, opinion leaders and youths to streamline issues.
The lawmaker remarked that the issue of crime had been addressed, adding that the Dvisional Police Officer (DPO), the JTF and State Security Service were present to hear the resolutions of the congress of the people in zero tolerance to crime.
On the vacant stool, he said it is not hereditary and the guidelines for ascendance are simple enough for everybody to understand, and denied eyeing the office.
High Chief James Balike, commended the lawmaker for the initiative, noting that cases of kidnapping and cultism were on the increase, and expressed satisfaction that the measure taken would stem the ugly trend.
Eze Friday Eze said the people had declared the stool vacant beginning Saturday, and urged the interested persons to comply with the guidelines produced in 1987 which specify conditions to the occupant of Eze Upata stool, adding that the process would be done in a peaceful, fair and credible manner.
He urged youths to desist from anti-social vices and engage in meaningful activities, otherwise the leadership of the kingdom would ensure that they are brought to book.
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.