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Bonny Women, Army Move To Tackle Crime
In order to find lasting solution to the increasing crime rate in Bonny, the Bonny Women Forum (BWF) and the Nigerian Army (NA) have concluded plans to synergize against crime and violence against women in Bonny Kingdom.
This was part of the agreements reached when a the Woman Leader of Bonny Kingdom, Amaopuorubo Helen Jack-Wilson Pepple led delegation of the BWF on a courtesy call to the Commanding Officer of the 146 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Lt.Col. Andrew Wuyep in Bonny recently.
Pepple said that that the idea was born out of the need to tackle the growing crime rate and violence against women in Bonny Kingdom.
She noted that the women were prepared to fulfill their part of the partnership not only with the Nigerian Army, but with other security agencies in Bonny LGA .
Some of the crime she listed bedeviling the area include, cultism, drug use and abuse, teenage pregnancies, gender-related violence, sea piracy among others.
“We are going round the security agencies within the island because as mothers we have some concerns that are really eating us up and we know that anything we have to do must be legit. And we know you will grant us a listening ear as fathers and those who have come to operate in Bonny, who want to operate in a peaceful environment.”
“We want to thank you first for the good work you are doing. I usually see your patrol vans minutes after any incident on the island; that is to show that you people are really working. So, thank you for the good work you are doing”, she said.
The BWF leader, also considered their handicap in fighting crime alone as another reason of the military partnership and the need to chart a new course.
Expressing positive outcome of the synergy, she also appealed with the security agencies to be forthcoming in their response to the moves by the women.
In his response, the Commanding Officer of the 146 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Lt.Col. Wuyep, who bought the idea, said that they were prepared to to work with relevant stakeholders in the area in an attempt to achieve relative peace in the Island.
“ It is a welcome development as the security agencies in the LGA are already positively disposed to engaging with relevant stakeholders in their efforts at assuring security in the area”, he said.
The Officer, enumerated the various successes the Nigerian Army and the joint security services in the area had achieved in the fight against crime and social vices and assured that the trend would be sustained, especially as the yuletide season sets in.
“First and foremost, thank you very much for this visit. You are our mothers, and thank God for how you narrowed down the scope of issues. As regarding drugs and cultism, we’re partnering with the NDLEA, and each time we make arrests with respect to drug related matters, we call them. We have been working with the police and we refer criminal matters to them to prosecute in the court”, he said.
On the issue of sea piracy, he pointed out that the Army carried out night and day patrols in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy to ensure that piracy was brought to a halt in Bonny.
“As regards these areas that you have highlighted, I assure you that you will see our action. We are hoping that Bonny will be more beautiful. We will not take things for granted, we will not do sentiments; we will continue to do things from a very professional point of view”, he said.
Meanwhile, he has reassured the group of their support, and said that such target was possible via God’s grace and favour as they were only viable to work as military personnel.
By: King Onunwor
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.