News
Your Scholarship Grants, Dream Come True, Ariolu Tells Beneficiaries …As LG Spends N60m To Upscale Human Capital Dev
Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Local Government Area, Barrister George Ariolu, has said that his administration would continue to add value to the lives of indigenes and residents of the area.
The chairman gave this assertion during a meeting organised by the council to address successful candidates and beneficiaries of the Ph.D and Masters scholarship grants initiated by his administration.
Ariolu while addressing beneficiaries at the newly furnished council multi-purpose hall, expressed happiness with success of the initiative thus far, with the presentation of the grants.
He added that it was a dream come true for him, the council and beneficiaries.
“I’m highly elated to address you, the awardees. I’m seeing it as a dream come true. It all started as a dream and came out as a proposal. We are here today trying to actualize that proposal as we thank God for giving us this laudable project”.
He further reiterated that his administration was still focused on human capacity development.
He said the decision to embark on the scholarship programme was informed by the council’s desire to impact positively on the lives of the masses.
The chairman also appreciated God Almighty for enabling his administration to achieve huge developmental strides within such a short time, adding that it was the first of its kind in any LGA in Rivers State.
According to him, governance is a serious business and it’s all about the people and how to add value to the masses.
He also noted that the council desires to have a paradigm shift in its desire to reach out to the people.
While congratulating the beneficiaries, he disclosed that N500,000.00 and N700,000.00 would be received by each Masters and Ph.D, respectively.
This shows that the council is spending N25million for the Masters students and N35million for the PhD students.
Similarly, he stressed that out of over 2,000 persons that applied for the grants, 100 were successfully screened, with 50 selected for Ph.D and another 50 for Masters.
In his admonition, he encouraged beneficiaries to be studious and hard working as the council expects to have over 30 persons growing to the ranks of Professors within the LGA.
The chairman, who maintained that his administration was conscious of its commitment to the people, added that not only indigenes of Obio/Akpor benefitted but others from neighbouring LGAs and states who were resident in the area.
Also, he disclosed that the payment would be made in two tranches to further ward off misappropriation of funds by beneficiaries.
To this end, he said that 50percent would be disbursed to enable beneficiaries pay their fees and other sundry obligations, while the remaining 50percent would be paid during the examinations and thesis period, adding that he expects a better result from them.
He further revealed that the committee saddled with the responsibility to screen beneficiaries would in the period under review, monitor activities and progression of beneficiaries in their various schools as the grant issued to them was not a largesse.
He said the council expects returns in the form of positive results as it has expended a huge sum to ensure that beneficiaries get the best of quality education.
Ariolu urged beneficiaries to always project the LGA in good light as he intends to rewrite the narratives of the LGA using beneficiaries as ambassadors of Obio/Akpor to the world.
In his remarks, Secretary of the Screening Committee, Barrister Kelvin Akani, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the chairman for his foresight towards engaging the youths meaningfully in the core areas of societal interest.
He also commended the chairman for his non-interference throughout the selection process by the committee.
Akani made it clear to the beneficiaries that the council expects nothing short of success stories from them.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
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.