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GDI Urges Buhari To Vacate Aso Rock In 2019
President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to vacate the Aso-Rock come 2019 for peace and stability of the nation.
National Coordinator, Grassroot Democratic Initiative, GDI, Hon. Bright Amaewhule stated this in Port Harcourt yesterday when the leadership of the Forward Rivers Movement (FRM) visited him at GDI Secretariat Complex.
Amawehule also called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the national level to vacate Aso Rock for the peace and progress of the country, describing the party as a total failure and noted that, Nigerians had been suffering under the present APC leadership in the country and called for a change in leadership by voting out APC come 2019.
The National Co-ordinator lauded Governor Nyesom Wike’s leadership style, especially in areas of socio-economic development and security of lives and property in the state.
He disclosed that, Governor Wike had the capacity to carry Rivers State to the promise land and transform its economy for better.
Hon. Amaewhile commended the leadership of FRM for supporting the policies and programmes of Governor NyesomWike since inception into office.
The National Coordinator equally lauded the Group for its sensitisation programmes in the state, especially on issue of registration of Permanent Voters Card (PVC)”.
He noted that, the state would resist rigging of 2019 election in the state and appealled to the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris to ensure that elections in Rivers State is conducted peacefully.
Rivers State, he said, was peaceful, no crisis, compared to the past administration in the state and appealed to the youths to support the governor, come 2019.
Earlier, the National Coordinator, Forward Rivers Movement, FRM, Hon. Tonjo West said, the group deemed it necessary to partner with GDI ahead of 2019 election.
Describing GDI as a political foundation in the state, Tonjo West said, FRM was aimed at ensuring credible election and empowerment of teeming Rivers youths.
The group, he said had decided to come together for the rebranding of the Rivers youths ahead of 2019 poll.
The National Coordinator, lauded governor Wike for his developmental projects and the repositioning of the state economy for the better.
He also described the Governor as the right peg in the right hole for the state as he urged all eligible Rivers youths to register for the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) ahead of 2019 election.
According to him, “we are ready spiritually, intellectually and physically behind Governor Wike in 2019 election and we will continue to support his dreams and aspirations for the state”.
Also speaking, secretary of the group, Engr. Okocha Njobunwu appealed to the youth of Rivers State to support Governor Wike come 2019 election.
Wike, he said had enthroned peace, unity in all the communities in Rivers State and therefore deserved second term in office.
Chinedu Wosu
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.