News
Bianca Urges Igbo In UK To Remember Home
Wife of late Odumegwu Ojukwu, Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, has urged Igbo people in Diaspora, especially in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland to always remember home while living their lives.
Ojukwu made the call while addressing the Igbo community in UK at a summit and Annual General Meeting (AGM) organised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK and Ireland.
A statement signed on Tuesday by Mrs Aqueen Ibeto, President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK and Ireland, stated that the summit was part of activities to mark the 100 days in office of the new Ohanaeze leadership.
Ojukwu said time had come for every Igbo man and woman in the UK to go back to the root and assist in community development, especially now that activities had intensified for the 2023 general elections.
“In fact, some of our people feel somehow threatened when they have contact with their relatives back home
“The tragedy is that much as we may want it otherwise, the UK will become their home and the home of their children.
“Unlike the Jews, Indians and Asians, we have not found a way to connect our children to our homeland,” she said.
According to her, most children of Jewish descent will take a trip once in their life time to the holocaust place, to learn about their history, and to learn that they must never forget.
“What do our own children know about our history and the war that we fought; what do they know about the Igbo spirit and how far we have come.
“What do they know about the fact that the Igbo man is like the phoenix rising from the ashes.
“The Igbo enterprise today is the phoenix rising from the ashes of 20 pounds, which is what we had, but look at the Igbo man today, it is a testament of the resilience of the Igbo man,” Ojukwu said.
She regretted that the Igbo culture was gradually being overtaken by Western culture, a development she noted was caused by the carefree attitude of some parents.
“When we think of our children, we make excuses about having to conform, but other races make more excuses about raising their children in the culture they know.
“Your friend will come to your home and your child will say “how are you Andrew, welcome to our house”, no uncle or sir attached.
“Somebody told me when I went to Ireland that she had to have elaborate ploy to bring her child back home to Nigeria to go to Marris Brothers in Uturu, Okigwe.
“This happened because she was in the kitchen and asked her son to get her spice on the kitchen cupboard; the boy was watching TV and he said to her, mum you are such a bugger.
“When she insisted, he got up, got the spice and said to her, very well, soon Jane and I will be leaving here and won’t have to go through this.
“Jane and I, his girlfriend. And the mum asked why, and he said because by then you will be in the old people’s home. It didn’t take long for her to realise that something desperate had to be done.
“She managed to get him back to Nigeria and after three years, his brain had to be reset; you know Marris Brothers don’t take nonsense,” she added
Ojukwu, however, said that the action of the woman might be a bit extreme but that the problem emanated from the negligence of some parents on their children.
Ibeto, the Ohanaeze President, in her remark said the summit/AGM was also an opportunity to unite the Igbo community in UK.
She said it was also an avenue to rekindle the Igbo culture and tradition in the minds of the people.
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.