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‘Info Policy Must Ensure Liberty’
Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (middle) flanked by the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria Uriel Palti(left) and his wife, when they paid a courtesy visit on the Governor at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC),Prof Chidi Kalu, has said appropriate information management in a society must guarantee democratic liberties by creating a deep sense of participation of the citizenry in the process of governance.
Prof Kalu gave the hint while delivering the keynote address at the first Rivers State Council on Information, organised by the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Prof Kalu said a system that alienated the citizenry through denial of access to information, was doing a great disservice to the society. He decried a situation where the wielder of power who was supposed to serve the people, consider leadership as a favour to the people, and pointed out that absolute power belonged to the people.
According to the Prof, who spoke extemporaneously at the event, “government is only relevant when it energises the people to make meaningful contribution in the process of governance, as this fast tracts the prospect of development.”
Commenting on the Nigerian scenario, Prof Kalu said there was disparity between the government and the governed, and blamed the slow pace of development and societal growth on the trend.
He noted that there was a symbiotic relationship between education and information management, and stated that every child should be given an opportunity to aspire through basic access to education as a right.
Prof Kalu, who lamented the obvious lack of citizenship awareness, called on the people to check irresponsibility in governance by asserting their rights to know what was happening in the process of governance.
He commended the Rivers State Government for its initiative as the first state to domesticate the National Council of Information, and charged the state government to come up with a proper regulatory policy on information and communication that will make the state the voice of sanity at the national level.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the information and communication sector have applauded the Rivers State Government over its initiative to organise the first state council on information and communication, as well as domesticate the national council on information.
The stakeholders gave their views while speaking at the council on information and communication organised by the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications at the Hotel Presidential Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Speaking at the event, a veteran media practitioner in Rivers State, Chief Olu Fubara commended the Rivers State Government over its policies on information and communications and hoped that the council would evolve a sustainable information management system in the state.
Chief Fubara, a pioneer chief press secretary to the governor in the old Rivers State, who chaired the event, said the proper management of information in the society would strengthen our democracy and enhance good governance.
He emphasised the need for training and capacity development among media practitioners to avert the prospect of being gents of disinformation.
Chief Fubara, a former General Manager of Rivers Broadcasting Corporation, also called for proper funding of state media houses to discharge their statutory functions effectively.
In his goodwill message, the National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Mr Mohammed Garba, also lauded the Rivers State Government for engaging in a stakeholders platform to foster an effective information management system in the state.
The NUJ president, who was represented by the National Secretary, Shuaibu Leman, called on the Rivers State government to sustain the policy which he said , would boost transparency in governance.
Also speaking, the President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Femi Adesina said, the theme of the event, “Public Information as tool for good governance”, was apt and called on media practitioners and information and communication managers to avail themselves of the opportunity to contribute to a more virile information management system in the state.
Earlier, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari had thanked the stakeholders for their participation.
The commissioner, said the council was geared towards evolving a policy that would conform with international best practices, and also enhance transparency and accountable stewardship in governance.
Taneh Beemene
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.