News
War Against Crime: ‘No Going Back’
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has identified the unfortunate tendency of citizens to tolerate and accommodate people of questionable characters around them as one of the major problems promoting criminality in the state.
Wike, who stated this while declaring open the 2016 Triennial State Delegates’ Conference of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said the people have contributed to the promotion of an environment characterised by crime and criminality.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Kobani, the governor was worried that some citizens of the state were in the habit of harbouring criminals, thereby exacerbating the security situation of the state.
The governor further emphasised that his administration has zero-tolerance for criminality, adding that all vices would be forced to give way and be replaced with attitudes that enhance peace and development.
Wike also reiterated that despite the dwindling economy of the state and the N3.5billion state allocation from the federation account, the government will continue to ensure that workers’ salaries and pensioners allowances are paid, adding that his administration was working hard to eliminate the scourge of ghost workers and multiple salary payments.
He urged workers to bear with his administration as the biometric exercise would help boost the state’s financial base.
The governor commended the outgoing TUC Chairman, Comrade Chika Onuegbu for his pragmatic approach in handling labour issues, and urged the new leadership to emulate the legacies of past leaders in ensuring peace and industrial harmony in the state.
In his remarks, the outgoing TUC Chairman, Comrade Chika Onuegbu, stated that the union has grown from a relatively unknown state council in 2009 to a vibrant and resilient brand capable of enhancing labour rights and welfare in the state in particular and the nation at large.
He said that the conference, with the theme: “Democracy, Human Development and Social Inclusion In Nigeria,” aims to galvanise the labour movement in the state for greater productivity.
Onuegbu said, “I am convinced, however, that we will continue to maintain that position against all odds, if we allow God to continue to lead us,” and promised TUC’s readiness to work with government to ensure industrial peace and harmony in the state.
In his address, President of the TUC, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, said the theme was apt and strongly appeals to labour movement in view of cogent and urgent need for our country to embrace and practise true democracy, pursue people-centred development and social structure that guarantees the empowerment of our people to actualise their greatest potentials for optimal collective advancement.
Kaigama stated that the Comrade Chika Onuegbu-led administration made it top priority to promote workers’ welfare and maintain a functional secretariat with sound administrative and organisational competence.
Highlights of the event was the TUC Rivers State election which produced, the Chairman as Comrade Austin Jonah, Vice Chairman in person of Comrade Chris Mbata, Secretary as Comrade Chima Charles Igwe, Assist Secretary as Comrade Dinipre Agbozu, Treasurer as Comrade Beatrice Fombu, and the State Woman Leader, Comrade Abigail Adeku.
In his goodwill message, the Elder Statesman, Comrade Milten Dabibi called on the state labour movement not to mix up union issues with politics, but should always fight to ensure that staff salaries are paid in order to reduce corruption.
He added that dedication must be given first to your Union as our priority is to protect the job, economy and company we are working for.
Also, in her good will message, the Nigeria Labour Congress Leader in Rivers State, Mrs Beatrice Itubo reiterated the robust working relationship between TUC and NLC, noting that election was not a do or die affair, and as such, urged fellow comrades to take the outcome of the election in good fate.
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.