News
Oyigbo Group Seeks Wike’s Intervention Over Demolished Market Shops
To avert social disorder and crisis in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, the Oyigbo Eke Market Traders’ Association (OEMTA) has passionately appealed to the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, to urgently intervene in the lingering crisis between the association and the local government council authorities with a view to resolving the lingering impasse over allocation of shops at the rebuilt market complex in the area.
The group threatened that they were ready for a show down with the council authorities, if the Chairman of the council, Hon Okechukwu Akara, continues to ignore their appeals in the allocation of shops at the market.
Speaking to journalists at the International Human Rights Protection Initiative office in Port Harcourt, over the weekend, the Coordinator of the association, Comrade John Ihua, said the action of the Oyigbo council chairman was appalling and undemocratic, adding that the appeal to intervene in the matter became necessary following the inhuman was the council authorities were handling their grievances.
The human rights advocate said that over 200 members of the association have been subjected to untold hardship as a result of the inability of the council to honour an agreement it entered into with members of the association before the reconstruction of the market.
According to him,the Oyigbo Local Government Council, in 2012, under the administration of Chief Felix Nweke, entered an agreement with the Eke Market Traders’ Association, where a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was reached that each trader should pay the sum of N2,000 as commitment fee for the rebuilding of the market,adding that any member who paid the amount was meant to get back his or her shop upon completion of the market.
Ihua told newsmen that upon the completion of the first phase of the project,the council failed to allocate the shops to the original traders but promised that it would be compensated in the second phase.
“Now,the second phase is nearing completion at the reserved area in the market by the present administration led by Hon Okechukwu Akara. But rather than heeding to the pleas of the traders, he has started selling forms to new applicants, ignoring the original owners of the shops who hadcommitted their hard-earned money into the project for the past 13 years”, he stated.
The human rights advocate appealed to the state chief executive to order the Oyigbo council chairman to do the needful and honour the agreement entered into with the traders in other to avert looming crisis and civil unrest in the area.
In their various emotional speeches,Chairman of the Oyigbo Eke Traders’ Association, Mr Okorie Nwero, and a female trader, Mrs Janneth Nweze, said life has not been easy with them since they lost their shops.
They appealed to the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, to come to their aid, and save them from the present sufferings and hardship,adding that their children have been prevented from going to school due to lack of money.
“We borrowed this money with interest, and the interest is still running.Some of our colleagues have passed on”, they lamented.
When contacted on phone,the Legal Adviser to Oyigbo Local Government Council,Barrister Stephen Nweke, urged the traders to be patient as the matter was before a competent court of jurisdiction,adding that the council would abide by the outcome of the court decision on the matter.
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.