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Diversity, Nigeria’s Greatest Endowment, NIPR Affirms …As Nsirim Cautions Youths Against Negative Narrative
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has said that Nigeria’s greatest endowment remains her diversity.
The National President of the institute, Mallam Muktar Sirajo said this, yesterday, in Port Harcourt while declaring open the South-South Citizens’ Summit for National Integration, Peace and Security.
Sirajo said dispersing the nation’s diversity amount would to questioning why God created Nigeria in the first place.
He, however, said that the nation’s leaders since Independence have failed to explore the rich diversities of the nation for development.
Sirajo regretted that Nigerian leaders have failed to transcend both ethnic and religious backgrounds to unite the country.
According to him, fighting one another would amount to disobeying God, adding that every generation of Nigerians ought to improve on what they met on ground.
He also called on the younger generation not to make the mistakes of their predecessors, stressing that channels of communication must not be allowed to break down in order to foster unity in the country.
Sirajo said the summit was fallout of consultations among various groups in the country.
He expressed sadness at the deteriorating socio-economic and security status of the country and hoped that the outcome of the summit would encourage an agenda for a healthy dialogue for better nation.
In his keynote address on the topic: “National Integration, Peace and Security a former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase recommended a holistic reform of the Nigeria Police and the entire Nigerian internal security system and institutions to address their overlapping functions that engender budgetary wastage, inter-agency rivalry and uncoordinated approach to internal security management.
He also recommended legal and operational reforms of the present system with the objective of having a workable and efficient and effective policing system that could give prospects for internal security of the country.
The Chairman, National Planning Committee of the summit, Dr. Ike Neliaku regretted that majority of Nigerians have no confidence in the government, adding that events across the country show that Nigeria was not yet a state but a nation.
He said it behooves the government and stakeholders to build a better Nigeria that would restore hope to the people.
Neliaku also stressed the need for programmes and policies that would promote mutual respect and friendship among stakeholders in the country.
He said the summit was an attempt by the NIPR to build friendship, adding that the task of building a new Nigeria lies with Nigerians, and not any other people.
On his part, the Royal Father of the day, King Felix Otuwarikpo called for a national summit of first class traditional rulers to address the various challenges facing the nation.
Otuwarikpo, who is the Eze Upata and regent of Ekpeye Kingdom, said the traditional institution was the custodian of the values of the people.
He regretted that the politicisation of the institution was responsible for many traditional rulers not residing in their domains.
Chairman of the South-South summit, Prof. Ndowa Lale, urged the institute not to compromise the core values of what the society was known for.
He expressed the hope that the event would bring about good governance and accountability in the country.
Earlier, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim had called on youths to forbid themselves from being used as soldiers for negative propaganda and narrative about Nigeria.
Reminding the youths that the future of Nigeria belongs to them, Nsirim, who doubles as the chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Institute of Public Relations, urged them to raise up an army that would change their status quo.
“What happened with the #EndSARS will open the eyes of all Nigerians to know that time comes in the history of a people when the masses will rise up to challenge dictatorial tendencies.
“And I believe that the youths of Nigeria should build on the gains of #EndSARS and begin to galvanise and mobilise themselves to begin to talk about how Nigeria can be better”, he said.
Nsirim also urged the leaders of the country to know that the time has come for a patriotic spirit that would bind people together than the spirit that divides.
While commending the Governing Council of the NIPR for organising the summit with the theme: “Reopen Conversation, Rebuild Trust”, Nsirim said Nigerians must begin to dialogue again as brothers and sisters to also rebuild trust.
“What has happened over the years is that those who gain from the dichotomy that exist along cultural and religion lines have used it to their own advantage while the majority of the masses of Nigerians suffer.
“We must tell ourselves the truth that the time has come as a people for us to rebuild our nation. Nigerians must congregate and begin to talk to ourselves as people that God brought together by his divine inspiration.
He noted that Nigeria is endowed with abundant human and natural resources but lacked the right leadership that would galvanise all the resources for the benefit of the people.
By: John Bibor
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.