News
Firm Accelerates Social, Economic Change In Rivers
Green Energy International Limited (GEIL), the Operator of the Otakikpo marginal field in Rivers State has awarded another 239 post-primary school, 30 undergraduate and 10 post-graduate scholarships to students across its host communities in Ikuru Town, Asuk-Ama; Asuma-Oyet; Ayama-Ekede; Ugama-Ekede, and other communities in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Chairman of the company, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, in a stakeholder conference, said that the recipients of the scholarship were enrolled in various schools and merited the awards.
He further stated that the scholarship scheme was a testimony of the company’s commitment to sustaining and strengthening relationships with its host communities.
The scheme was designed to enhance human capital development as well as provide a qualitative education for the host communities and the rest of Andoni.
This initiative further positions the company as an unwavering partner of the local and state government in the drive for sustainable economic and social change, especially for young people in the region.
Adegbulugbe said, “We believe that when you empower a child, you have empowered a community, and then the society at large benefits.’’
“It is for this reason that from inception of its operations of the Otakikpo marginal field, Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) has continuously exceeded the expectation of its stakeholders in its responsibility of creating prosperity for the society especially its host communities by addressing poverty and related development deficit.
“The thrust of the company’s CSR and Sustainability work is targeted to capacity building, empowerment of communities, socio-economic growth, and environment protection.
“Between 2018 and 2021, Green Energy International Limited extended its support to human capacity development through our scholarship scheme called ‘Green Energy Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship Programme’.
“Since the launch of the programme in 2018, the company has awarded over 750 scholarships for post primary, undergraduate, and post-graduate students in Nigerian secondary schools and universities, through a competitive selection of Andoni-targeted applicants.
“In addition, the company has taken a keen interest in ensuring that the scholarship programmes cover key professional disciplines of preponderant area of study.
“This underscores GEIL’s particular emphasis on arming its host communities’ youth with training in technological, scientific, engineering, administrative, law, digital, and industrial development professions-skill set that would be in highest demand in the global market with vehement capabilities and innovations.
“GEIL has a long history of supporting our host communities through our ‘Back to School initiatives’ and ‘Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship programme’, that reflects on the company’s purpose of changing the trajectory of the families and communities.
“This effective partnership with its host communities has led to a significant progress in promoting education and fostering a culture of innovation through academic scholarships, book donations and other outreach activities. The company has invested over ¦ 250million towards scholarship schemes for primary, secondary, and tertiary studies.
“In furtherance of its commitments to its host communities, the company has also continued to make some investment in the broader areas of education, in alignment with the UN sustainable development goals.
“ In 2021, Green Energy expanded its social investment footprint by addressing poverty and related development deficit through the empowerment and provision basic socio-economic amenities in target host communities.
“These include the financial empowerment of up to 100 entrepreneurs, support for auxiliary teachers, renovation of health centre, civic centres, construction of water and sanitary facilities, town hall, bridges, provision of educational materials and support of ICT facilities and a lot of other sustainable development initiatives”.
Adegbulugbe emphasised that the Green Energy International Limited clearly sets the pace for other E&P companies in the area on host community relationship.
He argued that the company was uniquely positioned to support key policy framework of the government that was targeted at driving sustainable development outcomes for communities, by providing direct social and economic benefits from petroleum operations.
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.