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Nemieboka Recommits To Change Negative Narrative In Ogu …Flags Off Skills Acquisition Scheme
The Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Council, Barrister Vincent Nemieboka, has restated his commitment to change the negative narrative about Ogu/Bolo in the affairs of Rivers State, and the entire country.
Nemieboka gave the assurance while flagging off the local government’s special skills acquisition programme for 283 youths in various vocations at the Ogu/Bolo Council Secretariat, Ogu.
The scheme is an initiative of the Nemieboka-led Ogu/Bolo Local Government Council as part of his promise to empower the people during his electioneering campaigns in 2021.
The first batch of beneficiaries consisting of 22 persons as scaffold trainees; 58 as heavy duty; 58 forklift trainees; nine driving trainees; 70 make-up artists; and 66 photography/videography trainees.
Speaking during the programme, Nemieboka said he had made a promise to embark on massive human capital development after achieving successful infrastructure development in his first year in office.
He said before he became chairman of the council, he had made promise that after his tenure, that negative narrative of saying Ogu/Bolo has no money and no meaningful projects can be done with the allocations would be changed, and successive chairmen would be made to give account of what they have done.
Nemieboka said the programme was redefined from what the people were familiar with, where trainees were only interested in the starter packs given to them and not the knowledge they acquired from the training.
To concentrate and perform optimally, Nemieboka said he has provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as well as accommodation, feeding and transportation for the trainees.
He said the training would be in three batches and would last for seven months, adding that those with genuine passion would be assisted to set up their businesses.
For the other skills, with the state-of-art equipment in Government Technical College (GTC), Ogu-Ele, Nemieboka said the council would partner the school in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Education to give a six-month intensive training equivalent to the post-primary education.
Nemieboka assured the trainees that they would go through the training uninterrupted, and urged the trainees to make good use the skills they would acquire to help themselves and better the society.
He said that those participating in the empowerment programme would be paid monthly stipends aimed at supporting the people.
He also said that some chiefs and women doing business in the area have included in the programme, and would receive loans to boost their incomes.
The guest speaker of the occasion, Barrister Bright Otobo, admonished participants to take whatever skills they have learnt seriously, giving illustrations of graduates from the university that were making names in business just from the skills they learnt with the likes of Dr Wilson Orunaboka, a renowned baker who owns Wilson Bakery.
He said the acquisition of skills was what the society needs today, and praised Nemieboka for embarking on the largest human capital development project in the area.
In his remarks, the Amayanabo of Bolo, King Acheseinimie Micha Frank, said he was happy with what he had seen, and admonished the trainees to appreciate what they have so that people would value them.
He commended Nemieboka for understanding the plight of the people and making Ogu/Bolo stand out, and prayed that God would strengthen him and give him the wisdom and resources to complete the good work.
Also speaking, Barrister Mela Oforibika, said human capital development was what drives an economy, admonishing the trainees to be good ambassadors of the area after they have completed their training.
Some of the trainees who spoke to newsmen said they were grateful to be part of the programme, and would concentrate on what they were studying so they can make their family and the area proud.
They thanked Nemieboka for coming up with such initiative, and prayed for more resources to complete the programme.
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.