News
RSG To Rehabilitate 13 Hospitals …Faults NDDC Claims On Road
Rising from its 13th State Executive Council meeting, the Rivers State Government has approved the rehabilitation of the moribund Psychiatric Hospital and nine other general hospitals across the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, made the plans public during a chat with newsmen last Wednesday after the State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Port Harcourt.
He said the plan is in line with the vision of Wike to create access to quality healthcare for the people of Rivers State. The State Executive Council approved the total rehabilitation of nine general hospitals.
The hospitals to be rehabilitated are: General Hospital Omoku, General Hospital Nchia , General Hospital, Abua, General Hospital Isiokpo, General Hospital Abonnema, General Hospital Okrika, General Hospital Opobo, General Hospital Terabo, General Hospital Ngo.
The commissioner added that the state government will also rehabilitate Government Secondary School, Ogo in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area
He said, “the Governor Wike administration as promised will face the development of health and education infrastructure across the state.
“This approval by the State Executive Council is in line with the New Rivers Vision of the Wike administration.”
Already, the upgrade of the Orthopaedic Department of the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital has been completed by the administration .
He also said that as part of measures to improve quality education, Government School Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area will be rehabilitated.
Already some selected schools across the state are under rehabilitation as pilot scheme for the new boarding policy of the state government.
They include, Government Girls Secondary School Rumuokwuta, Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri and Birabi Memorial Secondary School, Bori.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has faulted claims by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) that it constructed 64 roads in the state.
The Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on NDDC matters, Chief Aribitonye Okiri, who made this known in a statement in Port Harcourt, noted with dismay that NDDC under Mrs Ibim Seminitari as managing director was labeling some projects carried out by the Rivers State Government as being embarked upon by the Commission.
Okiri said the claim by NDDC was misleading, false and regrettable as it was a move to undermine the developmental strides of Governor Nyesom Wike.
He, therefore, directed the NDDC to stop forthwith, construction of all roads in the state without due permission from the Rivers State Government.
According to him, the directive was to ensure that activities of some NDDC contractors who claimed ownership of roads constructed by the Rivers State Government stopped forthwith, adding that Rivers State as host to the commission has no records to that effect.
The Special adviser also warned NDDC and other agencies against construction work on all existing structures owned by the state government without express permission from the government, and lauded Governor Wike for his resolve in developing Rivers State.
He, however, noted that the development of the Nige Delta could only be achieved through collaboration, peace and mutual respect.
Colins Barasimeye
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.