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Ogonis Drum Support For Wike’s Re-Election …As PDP Ex-Councillors Forum Kicks Off In Gokana
The Gbaaloodum Progressive Union has clarified that it has taken decision to support and endorse Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyeson Wike for the second term in 2019.
In a statement issued in Lagos, the group’s Chairman, Engr. Lewura Nikegedee said the position expressed by the group was based on Wike’s performance in the areas of compulsory primary and secondary education, construction and renovation of schools, and building and reconstruction of quality road networks across the state.
Speaking with some journalists in Lagos, recently, Nikegedee called on the various interest groups in the state to support Wike for second term in office.
Nikegedee, a radiographic engineer and frontline politician said the group was persuaded by the governor’s historic achievements in physical, economic and social developments in the state which have surpassed previous records since the creation of the state 50 years ago.
He assured Wike that the group will work assiduously to realize his return as governor of Rivers State come 2019.
The group’s chairman noted that the endorsement of Wike by the group has nothing to do with political, religious or tribal dichotomy but was a justification of the governor’s sterling performance as true leader.
Nikegedee also condemned, in strong terms, the spate of kidnapping and killing of innocent citizens in addition to the negative activities of miscreants who were causing insecurity in the state.
“They are trying in vain to thwart the efforts of the governor at state building, and are trying to defame and slander the character of our outstanding and illustrious son of Rivers State; we say enough is enough”, he said.
The group stressed its total support and endorsement of the candidature of Chief Nyesom Wike on account of his superlative performance in transforming the state for the better, entrenching peace, unity and stability.
He, therefore, called on the people of Rivers State and well-meaning Nigerians to tread the path of peace, tolerance and politics without bitterness in the quest for political power.
Meanwhile, in continuation of the ongoing local government area chapters’ inauguration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ex-Councillors Forum across the 23 LGAs of Rivers State, the Rivers State Chapter Chairman of the forum, Hon LoveGod Nweze, has inaugurated the Gokana chapter of the forum.
Inaugurating the Gokana wing at the Gberesaako Hall, Gokana LGA Council Secretariat, Kpor, at the weekend, Nweze said the move was in fulfilment of the desire of the forum to pull all ex-councillors of the party into the dragnet of the present administration’s policy of inclusiveness and participatory governance at all levels in the state.
Addressing the Gokana chapter of the forum and other PDP faithful at the event, which had the presence of a prominent son of the LGA and Commissioner for Finance, Rivers State, Dr Fred Kpakol, the Deputy National Chairman/Rivers State Leader of the forum, Chief Prince Weli-Wosu restated the commitment of the party to bring every member together, saying that the PDP umbrella was large enough to accommodate all members.
Weli-Wosu emphasised that the forum has the duty of preaching the gospel of PDP to some of its former members who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to return back to PDP, as APC has proven to be incapable of handling the leadership of Nigeria.
The Rivers State leader of the forum advised the newly inaugurated executive members to ensure equal loyalty to all the leaders of PDP in the LGA, as there was no division in the party at any level.
In his goodwill message to his people, Dr Fred Kpakol promised to give his full support to the forum, having been recognised by the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Kpakol charged all PDP faithful at the well attended event to support the forum in all its activities.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos & Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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.