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More Rivers Youths To Benefit From Skills Programme, Banigo Assures
A total of 4,000 youths drawn from Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru and Degema local government areas of Rivers State have successfully completed a 5-week Intensive Skills Acquisition Training and Empowerment Programme initiated and funded by the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo.
Speaking during the closing formalities at the Degema Stadium, the deputy governor, who expressed delight with the enthusiasm displayed by the beneficiaries, disclosed that this was just the beginning of many more empowerment programmes to come to the area and many other local government areas across the state.
“I am very pleased with you, before now it used to be said that you don’t want to work. Now, you have shown the world and the world is watching that, that narrative is not true”, Banigo stressed.
According to Banigo, the State Chief Executive, Chief Nyesom Wike has a passion to give Rivers people the best at every given opportunity, noting that he was desirous to see that the youths were enabled and empowered to take over the mantle of leadership at the opportune time for them.
“I know that in the various areas, he has done infrastructural development like the building of roads, bridges, jetties, land reclamation, shore protection and the harmonization of taxes. These are all measures to provide an enabling environment, and so, I know that with what the world is seeing today, there will be a drive for more investors to come into Rivers State”, Banigo further stressed.
She expressed gratitude to Rev Stephen Akinola and the chairmen of the three local government areas for collaborating with her to put together the programme and for ensuring that it was supported with very good spiritual backing.
“We have had that you had over a thousand souls that were converted to Christ. I want to tell you that the greatest thing in life is to receive salvation, and I thank God that the skills acquisition programme has been wrapped around the spiritual growth of our people, and I want to specially thank Rev. Akinola for decreeing and declaring blessings upon the participants, the land and the people, so that this seed that has been sown will surely germinate”, she said.
The deputy governor, who informed the beneficiaries that the skills they have acquired would give them a source of livelihood, said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Rivers State Microfinance Agency (RIMA) have indicated interest to support them.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji said there was unemployment in the land and a lot of poverty in the county, noting that “we have to change and become entrepreneurs to survive”.
Membere-Otaji said the world and the economy have changed, stressing that soon, the crude oil the people of the country have been worshipping would not be needed again.
He commended the deputy governor for her bold initiative to organize the skills acquisition programme, noting that beneficiaries could turn out to become billionaires in the nearest future, if they take advantage of the opportunity.
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.