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Don’t Return To Your Past, Dikio Tells Repentant Cultists
Interim Administrator, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), has urged repentant cultists in the Niger Delta region to resist the temptation of returning to their past lifestyles.
He further called on people to stop stigmatising ex-cultists to enable them integrate properly in the society.
Dikio, spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at the weekend during the graduation of 12 repentant cultists from the Youth Rescue International Development Organisation (YRIDO).
YRIDO is the brainchild of Nature Dumale, an ex-agitator and chairman of PAP’s Strategic Communications Committee (SCC).
Dikio, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Projects, Godwin Ekpo, said PAP would work with YRIDO to ensure total integration of the repentant cultists.
Describing YRIDO as a wonderful initiative, Dikio said he was impressed at the transformational power of the programme following the confessional statements of the beneficiaries.
He said: “I want to thank God for your lives and for Pastor Nature Dumale, who himself is a story of inspiration. And I’m hoping that as you leave here today, you’ll carry your story to the nooks and crannies of the Niger Delta region and influence several others who would have ordinarily been lost but for the love of Christ.
“So, my charge to you is that as you go, you’ll spread the light, your future is very bright. The thing about life in Christ is that it is redemption, all your sins are washed away, past, present and future. So, go out there and face the world confidently, with the assurance that you will make it. I wish you all the best in life, and I pray for you.
“I thank Pastor Nature again for putting this wonderful programme together. We in the Amnesty programme are very excited about partnering with Pastor Nature to advance what he has started, and hopefully cause it to touch a wider part of our country and beyond”.
In his remarks, the Rivers State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Usman Ali Wada, who spoke through the Assistant State Commander, Administration and Logistics, Uduak Godwin, said cultism and drug addiction were twin societal ills that must be avoided, especially by youths.
While congratulating the graduands, the NDLEA commander pledged the support and partnership of the agency with YRIDO in the fight against drug abuse.
On his part, the Executive Director of YRIDO, Nature Dumale, said he was motivated by God after he renounced cultism, militancy and other violent crimes to change others still involved in criminality using his experience as a source of inspiration.
He said in the past 10 years, YRIDO had graduated over 20 youths annually from its six-month discipleship and rehabilitation orientation programme in Jos, Plateau State and Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Some of the repentant cultists in their testimonies, said they had no regrets leaving cultism, adding that since they choose a new path, they were at peace with themselves, promising never to go back to their old ways.
The event had in attendance dignitaries, including a former Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Major Lancelot Anyanya (rtd), members of the academia, religious leaders, among others.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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.