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March 28 Is Ogoni ‘Liberation Day’ -Peterside …‘Nobody Forgets His Roots, I’ll Remember Ogoniland’
Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has called on the Ogoni at home and abroad to take advantage of the forth-coming general elections in Nigeria to free themselves from exploitation, exclusion, pain and humiliation from the oppressive government of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Peterside who described the Ogoni as a long-suffering ethnic group who gave everything to Nigeria and got nothing in return, urged the people to liberate the oil-rich area by rejecting PDP.
He made the plea at Community Primary School, Taabaa during his ward rally that attracted a huge crowd from all the wards in Nyokkhana district and beyond.
Peterside who described the Ogoni as peace-loving, accommodating and forgiving, qualities that ordinarily should have attracted development and patronage, told the people to take their destiny in their hands by disregarding the lies and deceit of the ruling party.
“The world knows that the Ogoni used their struggle and blood to pave the way for Southern minorities. It was Ogoni blood that brought President Goodluck Jonathan and other prominent South-South leaders to power. We all know that this huge sacrifice started long before this dispensation but do the Ogoni have anything to show for these efforts?
“Today, the Ogoni are worse off than they were many years ago when they pioneered the struggle for the liberation of Niger Delta region. Those in Abuja conveniently excluded them when the time came for political patronage and sharing of democratic dividends. Did any Ogoni man or woman benefit from major political appointments? Even when they gave out oil wells, pipelines security or amnesty which came with opportunities, did they remember you? Or are there projects you can point at that came as a result of your historic struggle to free our region? Your sons and daughters are not among those who got big contracts and empowerment, so we must think.
‘This is your time; take it because there could not have been a better time to show your anger against a government that despised you. Please remember that March 28 is your liberation day, you must liberate yourselves before you are exterminated. So vote for General Muhammadu Buhari, the man who came here and promised to revisit the UNEP Report. Also vote APC all the way for our federal lawmakers and follow up with the gubernatorial election on April 11. That is the only way to secure our freedom which is already in sight”.
Meanwhile, Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State, Dr. DakukuPeterside, has again restated his undying commitment towards Ogoni Land. Peterside who described himself as a son of the soil, stated that no true son forgets his roots. He promised to continually work for the interest of Ogoni Land and its people in whatever capacity.
He said this at Community Primary School, Taabaa during his ward rally in Khana Local Government Area.
Peterside who recalled with nostalgia, his childhood days in Ogoni Land, called on the people to unite in their struggle for a better future.
“I am happy to be in Ogoni Land once again. The people of Ogoni know me and I know them. I am from here. I drank water and ate food in this land. Nobody forgets his roots, I will not forget Ogoni Land. You already know that I grew up here. You also know that when I had opportunity of serving in government as Commissioner of Works, I tackled the problem of road infrastructure head-on.
“You know that if I have a higher opportunity, I will do more for Ogoni Land. You are also aware that I am a chief here and that the closest relative of the Ogoni is Opobo.
“This election, I must state again, is about our life and existence, so we must not be emotional about it. APC is the only party that has a work plan and we are all witnesses to the changes Governor ChibuikeRotimiAmaechi brought to our towns and communities.
“So if you want a future and a greater Rivers State and Nigeria, built on justice, equity and progress, then vote APC. This is the only party that has the will to address insecurity, corruption, impunity, incompetence and all the ills plaguing Nigeria today. But if you want a party that will give guns to our children and dim our hope for a better Nigeria, then vote the other party.
“Let me also say here that I have not finished the roads in Ogoni. The good news however is that I am not coming to learn about road construction or Ogoni villages. I already know everywhere in Ogoni Land, so vote APC”.
Peterside later called on the Ogoni to reject the PDP for the criminal neglect of their place. He told supporters that it is in the best interest of the Ogoni to vote out President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP for their survival.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari (right) presenting Hon Dakuku Peterside’s Roadmap tp prosperity document to chairman, National; Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State, Mrs Lilian Okonkwo, during a courtesy visit to the commissioner’s office in Port Harcourt, yesterday
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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