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Rivers Sports Ministry, Council Resolve To Perform Better
The Rivers State Ministry of Sports and one of its parastatals, the Sports Council, have resolved to work and take more efficient steps towards improving performance at the next National Sports Festival in Delta State, in particular and sports as a whole in the state. This was part of the fall outs of an interactive session organised by the ministry between it and the council, particularly, the coaches and organising secretaries.
The session, in which the coaches and secretaries bared their minds on the factors that affected the state’s overall performance at the recently concluded Edo 2020 National Sports Festival in Benin City was held last week at the VIP Hall of the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex, Port Harcourt. Series of issues and recommendations came to light at the interactive session.
Speaking to news men at the end of the meeting, Commissioner for Sports in the State, Hon Boma Iyaye, said that the meeting was convened to interact and review what transpired at the last National Sports Festival and the way forward. According to him, “we did not do well, we did not live up to our usual standards and we needed to find out the reasons and chart the way forward. Most of the secretaries and coaches have said what went wrong, we as a ministry will take those factors into consideration and see how we can make progress”.
Iyaye disclosed that the state would henceforth hold mini competition in various sports, such as swimming, wrestling, boxing, athletics, etc, from time to time in order to start the process of harnessing talents that would replace aging athletes in the state. He also said that coaches and organising secretaries would as a matter of importance, be made to do their duties of discovering, weaning tatlents and overseeing events. Towards this, the commissioner said, “we’ll send our coaches and secretaries to the nooks and crannies of Rivers State to search for talents, we have abundant talents everywhere and we must discover them”
The commissioner, who pronounced the donation of two coaster buses to the sports council noted that the issue of transportation has become a problem for the council and its coaches and athletes, especially, now that it has moved to its permanent site at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex.
He further revealed that the state’s sports festival, the idea of which is on the table waiting for approval, may hold any moment from now. This, he believes would help to unearth talents and keep others in competitive mood. “Also, some of our athletes that left us in anger just before Edo 2020, we want to see how we can bring them back because they belong to us, we have spent a lot of money on them”, he added.
Funding, according to the commissioner would be a challenge in realising most of the set goals. But he said, “we’ll see how we can partner and market our brand to companies around us and see if they can support us to take sports in the state to the next level.
When you do that, you’ll see that you’re not only engaging the youths or saving lives but putting food and opportunities on someone’s table”.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sir Honour Sirawoo, Who was part of the session had thanked Iyaye for his vision in convening the meeting, noting that his drive and the commitment of the governor would certainly take sports to where it deserves to be in the state and country.
By: Gabriel Nwanetanya
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.