News
RSG Assures Accreditation For Health College Courses
The Rives State Government has assured the management of Rivers State College of Health Sciences and Technology of Governor Nyesom Wike’s commitment towards full accreditation of its courses.
The state Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, gave the assurance when the management team of the institution led by the Provost, Dr. Nnamdi Amadi paid her a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Banigo noted that the present administration was committed to improving the standard of education in the state, pointing out that the blue-print of the “New Rivers Vision” places premium on quality education for Rivers youth.
“It is not proper for the school to be doing courses that are not accredited by the NBTE. Accreditation must be taken seriously. Bring forward what is required to get the courses accredited,” Banigo charged.
She noted that on assumption of office, the present government inherited arrears of foreign scholarships for final year students of the state, and expressed happiness that the students, who were about to be sent out of their various schools abroad, now have their fees paid by the administration.
Banigo urged the institution to work closely with Local Government Service Commission and the Healthcare Management Board, in resolving the issues of non-employment of graduates of the school, stressing that the Wike-led administration would explore every opportunity to create jobs for the teeming youth in the state.
Earlier, the Acting Provost, Rivers State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Dr. Nnamdi Amadi, had said the institution has qualified and competent academic and non-academic staff, noting that the achievement recorded in this direction was made possible through the visionary and leadership foundation laid by the deputy governor when she served as the head of the institution in the past.
He, however, explained that about 80 per cent of the courses in the college were yet to be accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and appealed to the state government for urgent intervention to rescue the institution.
Amadi disclosed that the institution presently has 11 schools, 21 programmes of study with a total staff strength of 203, out of which 88 are teaching staff, and 155 non-teaching staff, while the student population stood at 3,755.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has charged Christian doctors in the state to demonstrate more compassion in the discharge of their professional duties.
Banigo stated this while receiving the leadership of the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA), led by its Chairman, Dr. Friday Aaron during a courtesy call in Government House, Port Harcourt at the weekend.
She enjoined the association to bring back compassion in their ethical practice as Christians and medical practitioners as demonstrated by Jesus Christ in His encounter with the sick while on Earth.
“It is time for us as believers in the medical profession to put compassion into our profession,” she asserted.
Banigo advised the CMDA to bring healthcare closer to the rural dwellers, especially through their medical outreach programmes.
Banigo, who reiterated the determination of the state government towards providing quality and affordable health care services to the people of the state, said the Wike-led administration would soon embark on the training and retraining of medical personnel to update their knowledge on current practices in the profession.
Earlier, the state Chairman, Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA), Dr. Friday Aaron, had said the body has been involved in Special Medical Missions which attend to the physical and spiritual needs of patients in the state.
Aaron expressed readiness of the association to collaborate with government, in line with the New Rivers Vision to fulfill the campaign promises of the Government in the health sector.
Also, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) CMDA, Nigeria, Dr. Chima Onoka, said the association was currently providing succour to 1,500 Internally Displaced Persons (IDS), and solicited for assistance to touch the lives of more rural populace in the State.
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.