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Declare Emergency On Ogoni Dev, FG Told
A group under the auspices of Ogoni National Congress (ONC) has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the development of Ogoni land to assuage the decades of under-development in the area as a result of the exploitation of the natural resources of the people and the despoliation of their environment.
The group made the call, recently, in Bori, Headquarters of Ogoni, during the commemoration of the 27th years remembrance of the judicial murder of Ogoni-born environmental activist and writer, Ken Saro Wiwa and eight of his kinsmen by the Gen Sani Abacha military junta.
Addressing the people at the event, Chairman of the group, Engineer Olu Andah, Wai-Ogosu said the demands for environmental, economic and political justice in Ogoni championed by Saro- Wiwa was yet to be addressed by the Federal Government, 27 years after the killing of the writer, activist and social crusader, rather Ogoni land still bore the brunt of oil pollution and has remained grossly poor, lacking in functional economic activities and inundated with instigated crisis and vices.
He said Ogoni through their struggle for social, political and environmental justice remains the symbol of hope for all the oppressed minorities in Nigeria, and urged the Federal government to address the demands of the people as embedded in the Ogoni Bill of Rights which was presented to the Federal Government by Ogoni leaders in 1990.
He urged all Ogonis to be unbroken in their spirit despite the threats to their existence as a people, and see the event of the remembrance of Saro-Wiwa and his fellow Ogoni compatriots as an avenue to rekindle faith in the Ogoni struggle, noting that the vision and ideas of Saro-Wiwa has set the pace for beckoning with the imperatives of justice in Nigeria and Africa.
The elder statesman said the deliberate delay of the Federal Government to address the issues of environmental justice in Ogoni and by extension other polluted Niger Delta environment underscored the recalcitrance of the powers that be to persist in the marginalisation of the minorities and other disadvantaged groups in Nigeria.
In his keynote speech, Niger Delta activist, Chief Anabs Sara Igbe, described the late Ken Saro-Wiwa as a patriotic Ogoni man and Niger Delta leader who used his literally prowess and committed his life to fight for the minorities in Nigeria, using the Ogoni struggle which he brought to international limelights to advance his clamour for justice and true federalism in Nigeria.
He said Saro-Wiwa had conviction in the course he lived and died for, pointing out that in a convoluted state like Nigeria were the rights of the minority ethnic groups that produce the wealth of the nation are subjugated, the ideals postulated by late Ogoni activist offers the broadest flicker of hope out of the the shackles of oppression.
Sara-Igbe used the deplorable state of the East-West Road that leads to the major economic route of the nation to exemplify the deliberate neglect of the Federal Government to develop Ogoni land and other Niger Delta communities.
He urged the Ogonis and the entire Niger Delta not to be cowed to submission but remain resolute in confronting their common foes; the Federal Government and the multinationals that exploit the natural resources of the people.
By; Taneh Beemene
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.