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Essence Of Governance Is Citizens’ Wellbeing -Wike
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has asserted that the whole essence of governance was to make the people happy, and to make sure that their economic activities thrive.
Wike made the assertion while inaugurating the 14km Yaikyo-Tse Poor- Terwase Agbadu Road, renamed Ayum Num Road, and the extension of rural electrification projects within Ugondu community in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, last Monday.
The Rivers State governor noted that with the additional 14-kilometer of road in Benue State that was considered the food basket of the nation, the people can find it easier to move their agrarian produce to where the market was located.
“Benue is the food basket, it is an agrarian state, and if when you produce, you don’t have roads to take your produce to the city, it makes no sense.
“But with this 14-kilometer road and rural electrification, you (Ortom) have made life simple for the people of this part of the area, and that is what good governance is about.”
Wike commended his Benue State counterpart for committing to the tenets of good governance and providing dividends of democracy to his people.
“And so, Dr. Ortom, we want to say, we are very proud of you that you have not abandoned your people to whom you made promises. And to this, we want to say: it is promise made, promise fulfilled.
“I am sure, your wife will be happy that you did not disappoint her. We are also happy that you did not disappoint us. So, we are glad that just today, five major projects are to be commissioned. It is not easy. I want to tell you, do not relent. Continue until May 29, 2023.”
In his speech, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, said his administration had been prudent as it deployed scarce resources of the state judiciously to improve the living conditions of the people.
He mocked those who had said no development project can be provided for the people because of the extent of insecurity visited on the state by bandits.
Ortom said the roads and the rural electrification projects would add value to the life of the people in the benefiting communities.
On his part, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, inaugurated the 7.7-kilometer Tse Poor-Apir Poor Road, renamed Chief Sule Abigah Road, and the extension of electricity project.
Ikpeazu asserted that the roads and the electricity projects would enable the people of the benefitting communities advance their economic activities with ease.
Also, Enugu State Governor, Hon Ífeanyi Ugwuanyi, inaugurated the 2.0-kilometre NKST Yina-George Akume Way, renamed Chief J. A. O. Waku Road.
Ugwuanyi described Ortom as a gift to Benue State for his commitment to improving the value of life of Benue people.
The former governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswan, inaugurated the 2.1-kilometer Kanga-Akaya-Lucy-Aluor-Otukpo Road, renamed Nyesom Wike Road.
Suswan, who performed the inauguration on behalf of Ortom, said Wike was a great Nigerian and a bosom friend of Benue State.
He noted that there was no better way to reciprocate friendship other than naming the road after Wike.
Suswan commended Ortom for judiciously applying the scarce resources of the state for the development of the state.
On his part, the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, inaugurated the 1.3-kilometre Federal Low Cost Housing Estate-Bambam community road, renamed to J. C. Obende Road, and noted that anywhere road goes, development follows.
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.