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Wike Hails Mbata’s Contributions To Rivers’ Dev
A crowd of people waiting to purchase petrol at the NNPC Mega Station in Dutse, Jigawa State, as fuel scarcity intensifies recently.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has described Elder Samuel Mbata as a trail blazer who has contributed immensely towards the spiritual and economic growth of the state.
Wike gave this indication on Friday, when members of Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International Nigeria held a special banquet in honour of Elder Samuel Mbata as a pillar of the fellowship in Rivers State.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, said many persons in the state have been touched by the selfless lifestyle of Elder Mbata, pointing out that it has demonstrated that Christians can be transparent businessmen.
He said the state, which was dedicated to God in September, 2015 by the present administration has ushered in a new lease of life for the people, noting that the prayers for good governance by the people of the state have started yielding positive results.
According to him, “when the righteous rule, the people rejoice. We will continue to ask that you pray till the New Rivers State is filled with the spirit of God, and we shall recover the whole land for Christ.”
Wike thanked the fellowship for honouring Elder Sam Mbata, noting that he has touched the lives of many spiritually and economically.
A citation on Elder Samuel Azuta Mbata by the Secretary, Board of Trustees, FGBNFI – Nigeria, Mr. Azike Diribe, described him as a trail blazer, a preacher of the gospel, a supporter of missionary work and a strong pillar of the fellowship in Rivers State, Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
Diribe said Mbata is a humble, exemplary business man who effectively combined business and service to God, and has an impeccable record of paying all his taxes to the government as at when due.
He, therefore, announced that the fellowship, which he served as National President from 1985 to 1996, and currently the chairman of Board of Trustees decided to honour him by instituting an annual award for the best graduating student of University of Port Harcourt in Business Management prize for life, as a mark of recognition for his tremendous contributions to the Christian community and the nation at large.
In a brief exhortation at the event, a member of the BOT, Mr. Pat Odiyi, said Mbata’s humility, service to God and mankind had earned him respect from all those who had associated with him.
Responding on the honour bestowed on him by the business men’s fellowship, Mbata thanked God for His grace and members of the fellowship for appreciating his contributions, adding that the ultimate aim of every believer is to make heaven.
He advised Christians doing business to glorify God in all their endeavours.
A former Senator and son of the celebrant in the state, Senator John Mbata was among relations, friends and well-wishers that graced the ceremony.
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.