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Belema Oil Employs 200 Rivers Youths
Worried by the increasing rate of unemployment in the country, an indigenous oil firm, the Belema Oil Producing Limited says it will commence the employment of 200 youths from its host communities in Rivers State in addition to 315 already engaged by the company.
The aim of the employment according to the management of the company is to address raging anti-social activities within the coastal areas of the State as well as to create a peaceful business environment for investors to do business in the state.
The founder and President of the indigenous oil company, Mr. Tein Jackrich gave this indication when he received in audience, the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner in his office in Port Harcourt, over the weekend.
Mr. Jackrich disclosed that the number of youths so far employed stands at 515 Rivers youths.
He averred that the employment given to the youths has reduced the level of insecurity and other anti-social vices within the riverine areas of the State, adding that the recruitment exercise will be concluded before the end of the year.
According to him, the strategy of the company is to talkeless and give more toward the development of its host communities, adding that the measure will promote a level of medium of control among the youths in the area.
“We are aware that Christmas period is around the corner, we intend to put food on the tables of 200 families so that we can engage them from committing crime during this period”, he added.
The Chief Executive Officer of Belema Oil also told the visiting Canadian envoy that the company in addition to its corporate social responsibilities had awarded scholarships to 84 students from its host communities with a view to improving their education standard, adding that the further train those students who will graduate with first class in foreign universities.
He opined that the vision of the company was hinged on not only to build capital investment alone, but also to make the youths from its host communities an integral partners in the oil sector.
“We want to create an enabling platform where youths can get the requisite experience that will enable them be employable in the oil sector, that is why we are involved in the educational development of our host communities”, he stated.
Mr. Jackrich Tein urged the Canadian Ambassador to partner with the company and the state government and ensure that the country takes advantages of the various business opportunities which abound to invest in the state, adding that the state was peaceful for investors to come and do business.
Earlier in his speech, the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. James Christoff lauded the management of Belema Oil Producing Limited for delivering on its corporate social responsibilities to its host communities within the short period of its existence in oil exploration in the state.
Mr. Christoff said he was at the company’s corporate headquarters as part of his business tour in the State and thanked the company for making the visit a reality.
He assured the management of the company of his desire to bring business investors from Canada to the State and added that there was need for partnership between the company and Canadian government in other to strengthen their bonds.
The climax of the event was the facility tour of the Belema Oil project sites by the visiting Canadian Envoy and his team.
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.