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Elelenwo People Honour Wike Over Dev Projects Delivery
Leaders and people of Elelenwo community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, last Saturday, conferred on Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, the title: “Eze Omekweli Kimbom of Elelenwo”.
Roughly translated, the prestigious title means: “A King that develops the land of Elelenwo”.
Speaking during the reception for the governor, Nyeweli of Elelenwo, Eze Sunny Weli Chukwu declared September 14 as Elelenwo Day when the development agenda of Governor Wike for the area would be remembered by the people.
Chukwu said: “Henceforth, September 14 will be celebrated as Elelenwo Day. Each time we celebrate this day, we shall remember Governor Wike for turning around the fortunes of this community”.
Spokesman of Elelenwo community, Chief Collins Amadi, said that the people of Elelenwo community resolved to honour Governor Wike because of commitment to the development of the area.
He said the Rumuokwurusi-Elelenwo-Akpajo Road was a nightmare, which destroyed the economy of the community and led to the closure of businesses.
The monarch explained that by developing a dual carriageway, Wike has revived the Elelenwo community and empowered the people.
Responding, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike expressed happiness that the people of Elelenwo community have always supported him all through his political career.
“Elelenwo people have always supported my political growth. They have always taken steps to ensure that we make the desired progress. Elelenwo community has great children who are good and committed people”, he said.
He explained that he agreed to accept the chieftaincy as a mark of respect to leaders and people of the area, who stand firm to defend his political progress.
Wike said: “I don’t usually accept chieftaincy titles, but I had to accept that of Elelenwo because of their consistent support”.
In recognition of the support of the Elelenwo community, Wike upgraded the stool of Nyeweli Elelenwo to a second class status.
Wike also granted the request of the community for the construction of a major police station inside the RSTV compound.
The governor reiterated that he would continue to work for the rapid growth of Rivers State.
He said his commitment to the development of Rivers State was his only reward to the people for the continued support.
However, residents of Rumukwurusi, Elelenwo and Akpajo communities in Obio/Akpor and Eleme local government areas, last Saturday, trooped out to celebrate Governor Nyesom Wike for the dualisation of the magnificent 5.6-kilometre Rumukwurusi-Elelenwo–Akpajo Road.
School children, mothers, traders and religious groups lined up the road, singing the praise of Wike, who intervened when the area was cut off from the rest of Rivers State.
Commissioning the road, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said many residents of the area would have forgotten the deplorable nature of the road linking the two local government areas.
He said the immediate past administration refused to construct the road because of some prominent Indigenes of the area.
The governor said: “People will easily forget the very deplorable condition of this road before we intervened. Today, Julius Berger through consistent funding by the state government has delivered one of the best qualities of roads.
“The previous administration refused to construct the road because some prominent Elelenwo indigenes lived around here. Specifically, the former Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Iche Ndu and House of Representatives member, Kingsley Chinda”.
He expressed surprise that after the construction of the road, a traditional ruler from the area who thought he would not get re-elected, joined the opposition to play negative politics.
The Rivers State governor formally renamed the Rumukwurusi-Elelenwo–Akpajo Road as Justice Iche Ndu Road in honour of the former chief judge of Rivers State.
In a project description, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr Walter Ndu, said the 5.6-kilometre road has five roundabouts and ducts for telecommunication companies to set up their facilities.
In his remarks, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon Solomon Eke, said that the people of the two local government areas were happy with the Rivers State Government for delivering on the project.
Eke said that Eleme and Obio/Akpor local government councils would not allow anyone to throw refuse on the median of the road.
Traditional dance troupes from Eleme and Obio/Akpor LGAs entertained guests at the commissioning programme.
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.