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Ex-Agitators Hail Buhari For Sustaining PAP’s Funding
Ex-agitators from Akwa Ibom State have lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for sustaining the funding of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
They observed that the president’s funding of the programme despite the current economic challenges, had largely contributed to the sustained peace in the region.
The ex-agitators, however, appealed to the president to confirm Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), as the substantive head of PAP.
They said since his appointment, Dikio had displayed commitment and the highest level of capacity to their admiration and that of all stakeholders.
The former warlords, in a statement, yesterday, signed by the State Chairman, Ex-Agitators Forum in Akwa Ibom, Amb. Alban Paulinus, after stakeholders and leadership strategic meeting, made available in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, described Dikio as a round peg in a round hole.
The statement said: “The entire ex-agitators in Akwa Ibom will agree and acknowledge the fact that from the inception of the programme, this is the first time the ex-agitators in the state have been given full attention. We have never had it this good with PAP.
“Dikio, in his quest to redirect and reposition the region through PAP, has engaged the ex-agitators in an effective and strategic communication model in order to bridge the gap between the real owners of the programme and the office.
“He has enhanced the Presidential Amnesty Liaison Offices in various parts of the region, like Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta States to be more effective.
“Furthermore, non-payment and delay of the ex-agitators’ monthly stipends are now a thing of the past, due to the new improved payment structure.
“In the light of the above, we, the ex-agitators of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in Akwa Ibom State, join other stakeholders in the region to voice out that, ‘what is good is good’ and ‘to whom little is entrusted with, more can be entrusted’.”
The ex-agitators said a more sustainable method had been initiated by the administration of Dikio to curb social vices that had contributed to the under-developmentof the Niger Delta region.
They said: “We applaud his approach to transform and transmit a more youth and women inclusive programme in the Niger Delta under the new Niger Delta Stability Programme. It will form a new phase in achieving the exit plan of the amnesty programme, sustaining the peace and development of the region, and bringing in new investors.
“We call on all stakeholders in the region, governors, House of Representatives, senators and Mr. President to look in this direction and leave a legacy with their names written in gold.
“We appeal to Mr. President, as a father who has shown so much love to Niger Delta people, to please use his good office to confirm Dikio as substantive head to enable him run the programme more effectively in achieving a sustainable goal”.
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.