News
NEMA Distributes Relief Materials To Stampede Victims’ Families
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), last Friday, distributed relief materials donated by the Federal Government to the families of victims of Polo Club stampede in Port Harcourt.
The stampede, which claimed 39 lives, occurred on May 28 at an event organised by the Kings Assembly Church.
The Director-General of National of NEMA, Mr Mustapha Ahmed, handed over the relief materials to the lead pastor of the church on June 9 during a condolence visit to the Rivers Government and victims of the stampede.
Ahmed, who was represented by the South-South Zonal Coordinator for NEMA, Mr Godwin Tepikor, stated that President Muhammadu Buhari directed NEMA to distribute the materials.
He said: “What we are witnessing today is a direct distribution of those items given by the Federal Government through NEMA to the families that were affected by the stampede”.
He said that the food and non-food items donated by the Federal Government were given directly to the families of the victims on Friday.
The items included 1,000 bags of rice (10kg), 50 kegs of vegetable oil, 30 cartons of seasoning cubes, 20 bags of salt, 21 cartons of tin tomatoes, 1,000 pieces of nylon mats and 1,000 pieces of towels.
Others are: 1,000 pieces of mosquito nets, 50 cartons of bath soap, 500 pieces of mattresses, 500 pieces of blankets, 500 of brocade, 500 pieces of wax print, 100 packets of diaper, 100 packets of sanitary pads, 100 bags of detergents.
He said the items were given to 10 families that suffered various degrees of injuries, who were treated and discharged, and 39 families of those who died.
“Nine males and 30 females died, while we have three males and six females treated; the church treated and paid their bills. A total number of 49 persons were involved,” he said.
He also condoled with the families of the deceased.
Some family members of the deceased in an interview with newsmen expressed their gratitude to Federal Government through NEMA for its gesture.
Mrs Silvaline Emesokwu, the elder sister to one of the deceased, Patience Emesokwu, who spoke to newsmen, also expressed her gratitude to the Federal Government over the items given to them.
Emesokwu said that her late sister left behind two kids who would now be added burden to the family.
“My late sister’s children were on scholarship in their school before their mother died, now they are supposed to continue their studies if the society get it right.
“But we know that when death occurs people lose a lot due to the absence of the bread winner in the family.
“We are now looking for money to bury her; I am using this opportunity to appeal to state and Federal Government to assist us to bury our people.
“We also appeal to Federal Government to tell those in charge to release the corpse for us instead of telling us to go and swear affidavits, go to police to get police report, all these processes involve money.
“I’m pleading with government and the church to help us in their burials,” she said.
Mr Boms Emmanuel, who lost a nine year old daughter during the incident, appealed to Federal Government and the church to assist families of the deceased with fund to bury the dead victims.
The Lead Pastor of the King’s Assembly, Port Harcourt, Mr Chris Ugoh, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government through NEMA for assisting the church and the families of the victims.
“We are deeply sorry for what happened because since 2014 that we started serving the city every year, seeing to the needs of orphans, the less privileged, we have not experienced such an ugly incident or any problem.
“We pray that such a thing will never happen again, I’m particularly touched that the director-general can make out time to come and see us today.
“Everything will be safe and appropriately distributed so that the people that should get this will get it,” Ugoh said.
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.