News
Dame Jonathan Mourns Foster Mother’s Death
There was an uneasy cloud of anxiety in Okrika, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, the home town of the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan, yesterday, as news of the death of the foster mother of the first lady, Mrs. Charity Tamunowaritoku Francis Oba spread in the ancient coastal city in Rivers State.
Late Mrs. Charity Tamunowaritoku Francis Oba, who was aged 65, was involved in a ghastly motor accident at around 4.30pm on Monday along Isiokpo-Elele Road in Rivers State on her way to Bayelsa State.
Her death comes barely three weeks after Dame Patience Jonathan, buried her step father, late Pa Derifaka Idasetima in Okrika.
The immediate elder sister of the first lady, Mrs Blessing I.S. Lazarus, told The Tide, in a tearful mood, yesterday in Okrika, that “the late Mrs Charity Oba was the mother of everybody in the family”, adding that she was the wife of their elder brother, Mr Francis Lazarus Oba.
“We are crying for her death because we are going to miss her motherly care and advice. It will really create a vacuum in our family,” she said, adding that “honestly, her death came to us in the family as a big shock.”
She described Mrs Charity Francis Oba, fondly called ‘Mama Sisi’, who also nurtured Dame Patience Jonathan after the demise of her biological mother in 1993, as “a nice, caring and God-fearing family woman,” saying that “the family is currently in a state of mourning.
“Our President, Goodluck Jonathan recognised late Mrs Charity Oba as his mother-in-law, hence we did not meet his wife’s biological mother”, she added.
When The Tide met the elder brother of the first lady, he pleaded not to be disturbed, saying that he has instructions from the Protocol team at the Presidency not to comment of the death, and referred our correspondents to his younger brother, one Mr Inyengierefaka, the national president of PFON, who resides at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of the state.
The Tide could not reach Inyengierefaka for comments on the sudden death of their cherished sister.
However, a family relation, Mrs Roselyn Abibo, said she heard the news of the death of ‘Mama Sisi’ in Port Harcourt yesterday afternoon with shock, and decided to visit Okrika to get full details of the incident from the family.
She said “as a person who lived and stayed together with them in their Sukube Oba House, I am saddened by the shocking death of our mother,” adding that “a big tree has fallen in the family.”
Chief Isaac Zeb Obipi, the Ogulacha 11 of Okrika and a senior university lecturer in the state, expressed sympathy with the family, saying that he “received the news of the death of Madam Charity Oba with shock and broken heart”.
Chief Obipi said the first lady needed late Mrs Charity Oba’s motherly support and advice most at these trying times in the history of the nation, saying “it is painful”.
He prayed God to give the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, and advised the first lady to be strong, and not allow the circumstances of the death to dampen her good spirit and works to strengthen women and children in the country.
A man of God, Pastor Miebaka Akuroseokika of St Peter’s Cathedral, Okrika, expressed sorry over the sudden death of ‘Mama Sisi’ in such a manner, and prayed God to strengthen the family.
In her words, Mrs Boma Obienime said, “it is disheartening that Dame Patience Jonathan should face such a calamity,” and added that Mrs Charity Oba was a woman who left everything to God.
When contacted, the state Sector Commander of the FRSC, Dr. Kayode Olagunju, declined comment on the matter, saying, “I cannot say anything on this matter now until I get full details.”
But the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Angela Agabe, confirmed yesterday that the foster mother of the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan was among the two victims that lost their lives in a tragic motor accident that occurred along Isiokpo-Elele Road in Rivers State last Monday evening.
She said that the vehicle conveying the foster mother of the first lady, Mrs Charity Tamunowaritoku Francis Oba, lost control on the Isiokpo-Elele Road on its way to Bayelsa State, and somersaulted five times before ditching into the bush.
She confirmed that apart from the foster mother of the first lady, Mrs Charity Oba, a 14-year old student of the Adventist Secondary School, Elele in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, whose name was simply given as Miss Favour, also lost her life in the crash.
Agabe explained that Mrs Charity Oba and Miss Favour died on the spot when the car somersaulted while the driver of the vehicle, one Stanley Enyindah and another occupant, sustained various degrees of injuries, and were rushed to an undisclosed hospital in the state capital for treatment.
She stated that the corpse of late Charity Oba was taken to Kpaima Mortuary in Elechi Beach area of Diobu, in Port Harcourt by a team of policemen.
An aide to the member representing Ogu/Bolo State Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bapakaye Bipi also confirmed the death of Mrs Charity Oba in a road accident.
Fred Itobo, said that the president’s wife’s foster mother was involved in the accident while she was on her way to Bayelsa State.
“Yes! She was involved in an accident and she died. Her body has been taken to a mortuary. Bipi was among those who took her body to the mortuary,” Itobo said.
Itobo further confirmed that Bipi, who is a relative to the deceased, was among those who took the corpse of Mrs Charity Oba to Kpaima Mortuary.
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.
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