Connect with us

News

Insulate Law School From Politics, Wike Tells Senate

Published

on

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has said that the bill in the National Assembly which seeks to establish two campuses of the Nigerian Law School in each of the geopolitical zone in Nigeria, was politically motivated.
He said the proponents of the bill titled, ‘A bill for an Act to amend the Legal Education (Consolidation etc.) Act by establishing the campuses for the Nigerian Law School, and for other related matters’ merely want to score cheap political point in their constituencies ahead of the 2023 general election.
Wike made this assertion during an unscheduled inspection of ongoing construction work at the Dr. Nabo Graham-Douglas Campus of the Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
He said it was so unfortunate that some senators want to politicise the establishment of Nigerian Law School campuses, even when there were glaring evidence that the Federal Government cannot adequately fund the existing ones.
Wike stated that the proposal that in the South-South zone, one law school campus should be in Yenagoa and another in the village of the Deputy Senate President, when approval had been given for the establishment of the Dr. Nabo Graham-Douglas Campus in Port Harcourt, smacks of petty politics.
According to him, there was no way the Council of Legal Education would support politically-induced proliferation of law school campuses across the country.
“It is so unfortunate in this country that everything is being politicised. We are not perturbed because the Federal Government approved the establishment of this law school. We got a letter from Mr President through the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, approving the establishment of this law school. And he stated graciously through the Council of Legal Education that it should be established here in Port Harcourt.
“We said we are going to provide the necessary infrastructure. I can see the level of infrastructure that is being provided, which of course, I have said before is going to be world-class infrastructure that is supposed to be in a law school. We are not only providing this infrastructure, we are also providing accommodation where the lecturers will live with all other things attached to it. And this law school will have its own investment to take care of the law school, whether the government is here or not.
“From what I heard, the Deputy Senate President through some other lawmakers are sponsoring a bill to establish two schools per zone, and then, saying that one will be in Yenagoa and one in Delta State, in the village of the Deputy Senate President. It is most unfortunate”, he said.
Wike noted that law school is a highly technical institution that should be insulated from politics.
He urged those behind the bill seeking the establishment of more law school campuses to also bear in mind the cost of funding them.
“Today, to even fund one law school, see how problematic it is. Go to the Abuja Law School, go to Yenagoa Law School, and see how they are. And see what we are doing. It is not easy to fund the existing law schools, and you are now saying that the Federal Government should establish two law schools in each zone. Where will the funding come from? Everything is being politicised.”
The Rivers State governor, after assessment of the progress of work at the Dr. Nabo Graham-Douglas Campus, expressed optimism that in the next six months, a brand new campus fully funded by the state government would be handed over to the Council of Legal Education for commencement of academic activities.
“The Council of Legal Education has said in the establishment of further law school, Port Harcourt model must be used. This is not a place where you have a makeshift, where there are buildings before, and then, you want to adopt it and create a law school. It is well designed.”
He said the Rivers State Government has already provided 80percent funding for the ongoing construction work at the Dr. Nabo Graham-Douglas Campus and Certificate of Occupancy has been issued to the Council of Legal Education.

Continue Reading

News

May Day: Labour Seeks Inclusiveness In Policy-making 

Published

on

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.

 

 

 

Continue Reading

News

2025 UTME: JAMB Disowns Site Requesting Payment From Candidates

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

News

NDDC Seeks UN’s Support To Accelerate Niger Delta Development

Published

on

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.

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Trending