News
Evo Anglican Diocese Lauds Wike On Dev Strides …Blasts FG On Total Failure
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has been applauded for his commitment to the development of all parts of the state.
This is contained in a communiqué issued by the Diocese of Evo, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), at the end of the first session of the Fifth Synod of the Diocese, at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Rumuomasi, last Sunday.
The communiqué, which was jointly signed by the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; Clerical Synod Secretary, Rev. Canon Gospel Onuchukwu; and Chancellor, Barrister Nlerum Amadi; noted with satisfaction, the reconstruction and completion of several roads in Evo as well as the ongoing Rumuokwurusi-Elimgbu flyover project.
The communiqué also commended the governor for the numerous assistance to the church at various times, pointing out that the governor even redeemed the pledges made to the church by previous administrations.
The diocese expressed worry over some road projects that were yet to be completed, and appealed to the governor to address the problem.
The diocese, “Further notes that construction work on ACMGS School Road, Elelenwo, has since been abandoned by the construction company handling the project, and calls on the governor to direct the resumption of work and completion of the project.
“Calls the attention of the governor to the sorry state of two critical roads in Evo and other neighbouring communities: the long abandoned Eneka-Atali to Rumukwurusi/Igbo-Etche Road and the Oil Mill (Rumuokwurusi) to Igbo-Etche, which are of economic value to the people of the state”, the communiqué stated.
While congratulating Wike and former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for their stellar performance in the presidential primaries of their respective parties, the diocese noted, with dismay, the prolonged disagreement between the two brothers and stressed the need for reconciliation.
The Diocese also congratulated the sons and daughters of Evo as well as the parishioners who secured the nominations of their respective political parties, and prayed for their success in the 2023 general election.
On the state of the nation, the diocese berated the Federal Government for failing to address the myriad of problems confronting the nation, stressing that the greater percentage of the populace had been thrown into abject poverty due to poor management of the economy.
The diocese also expressed worry over the level of insecurity in the country, and condemned the killing of Christians and sacking of Christian communities by some religious fanatics.
It also took a swipe at the Federal Government for the inability to resolve the impasse with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which had disrupted academic activities in the federal universities.
It called on eligible Nigerians to get their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to enable them to elect God-fearing, experienced, detribalised, frugal and people-oriented leaders in the forthcoming general election.
The diocese “Encourages the electorate not to be carried away by the huge cash and other means of inducement the politicians will introduce in order to buy their votes, advising that they should be discerning as vote-buying or the offensively mechanised electoral system will only increase and prolong the present sufferings of the people”, the communiqué stated.
By: Reward Akwu
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.