News
Wike Unveils Abua Central Market, Omelema Hall
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike,last Friday, formally inaugurated the Abua Central Ultramodern General Market and the Omelema Town Hall projects built and equipped by the Chairman of the Local Government Council, Hon. Daniel E. O. Daniel.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Tammy Danagogo, the governor expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Daniel-led administration in the area of project delivery.
Danagogo said, the governor has asked him”not only to come and commission the projects, but to also see how the local government is faring and how thechairman is performing, and come back to report to him.
“I want to commend your chairman for embarking on projects that really touch the lives of the people. I also want to extol the chairman, for stamping his feet, as one of the performing chairmen in Rivers State.
“What you have done today, you have declared to us that indeed, you are a son of the governor.
“The governor is only interested in chairmen who are performing. What I have seen here shows that, indeed, in this local government, the governor has a true son who is towing his steps of delivering quality projects”.
The SSG stated that “the only way to progress forward as a chairman after your tenure is performance”.
He hinted that the governor rose to limelight today because of his sterling performance while he was a local government chairman, adding that the LG chairmen under PDP ought to emulate the governor.
Speaking further, he disclosed that the governor hasreserved appointments and projects for the people of Abua/Odual Local Government Area before the expiration of his tenure.
According to him, “the governor has the intentions of developing every part of the state, what we have to do is to give him the enabling environment.
“Before he leaves office, the appointment you are looking for, you will get it, the projects you are looking for, you will get them.
“Whatever you want starts by appreciating the ones you already have, when you appreciate what you have, every other thing follows”, he added.
On his part, the member representing Abua/Odual Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Solomon Sokolo Kirifa, cleared the air on some unfounded speculations that Abua/Odual Local Government Area was not captured in the Rivers State 2022 Appropriation Bill.
The member took his time out to highlight key projects that would be executed in Abua/Odual LGA, as captured in the 2022 Rivers State Budget including the construction of Abua to Degema, Emoh, Iyak and Ighom, Elogh to Egbolom access road; construction of Agada 1, Agada 2, to Dighiriga, Emelesue to Serebia and Ogbokuma; Ayama, Omokwa and Otari Road; renovation and equipping of Aminigboko General Hospital; among others.
Sokolo urged the people to disregard conspiracy theories from naysayers, and continue to believe in the Rivers State governor to deliver quality projects to the people of Abua/Odual Local Government Area.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Chairman of the PDP in Abua/Odual LGA, Hon. Oye Fubara Igenewari said that the chairman has turned the LGA into a construction site, and that the market project was located at the hub of the Abua/Odual economy, adding that it was strategic to the overall development of the LGA.
Providing the project description, the Supervisor for Works in the LGA, Hon. Zinami Fyneroad Iwariso said: the market was awarded first in 2011 by the previous administration but was abandoned.
He added that with the advent of Daniel-led administration, a need assessment was conducted, and it was ascertained that the market was key to the economy of the LGA; hence the urgency for its completion, adding that market was re-awarded in September, 2019.
Zinami said that the market was made up of 120 lock up shops in a storey building in three blocks and that it was at 40percent completion when the Daniel-led administration came on board and completed it for the benefit of the people of Abua/Odual.
Earlier, the Chairman of council, Hon. Daniel E. O. Daniel had stated that he was overwhelmed by the turn out of the people to witness the epoch-making event, and thanked everyone for turning out en masse to grace the occasion.
He pledged his unflinching commitment towards providing the needed development for the people he has so sworn an oath to serve.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion are the Deputy Chairman, Hon. Ibura Igoma Emmanuel; former EDFA NDDC and Leader of the party in the LGA, Hon. I. H. Ogiri;Leader of the Local Government 8th Assembly, Hon. Mercy Igenewari; and all councillors.
Others were former council chairman, Hon Raphael Muzan Ekpelu; Dr. Oyekwutor Ukwe; permanent secretaries, principal officers of the LGA, elders and chiefs of various communities.
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.