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MOSIEND Hails NDDC Forensic Reports Implementation On Award Of Contracts
A renowned pressure group in the Niger Delta region, Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has hail the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) forensic report implementation committee on contract awards in the region.
The group, which adjudged Senator Godswill Akpabio’s tenure at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as most corrupt and reckless, commended the ministry for carrying out the presidential directives to terminate over 1,300 abandoned or unexecuted contracts awarded by NDDC to contractors in the region.
The group decried lack of genuine visionary and purposeful leadership as a barn to the region’s development.
President, MOSIEND, Amb Kennedy Tonjo West, stated this to The Tide during an interview in Port Harcourt.
West alleged that under Akpabio’s tenure at the ministry, NDDC contracts were awarded to cronies even during the forensic exercise, adding that contractors were secretly paid just as there were indiscriminate employments and promotion without due diligence.
“In as much as we appreciate the government’s political will to do everything possible to sanitise and stabilise the commission for optimal performance going forward, we have our reservations on the validity of the forensic exercise under Akpabio’s watch”.
The group further noted that NDDC became so messy to the extent that contract papers were sold and bought in beer parlours to third parties in the name of NDDC contracts.
MOSIEND insisted that any contract papers during Akpabio’s tenure that does not go through due process, should be revoked and monies recovered by the present administration.
MOSIEND called on the contractors whose contracts were terminated by the Presidential Committee to approach the court for justice, if they were not satisfied by the action of the Federal Government.
“If all these NDDC projects were sincerely executed in Niger Delta communities, the people of the region could not be complaining of under-development and sufferings as witnessed in our rural areas”.
He noted that the contract terminations would serve as a deterrent to corrupt contractors in the region.
“If there is anything that has caused gross under-development in the region, it is the habitual collection of contracts and monies, and the abandoning of the projects. This is the sole reason for under-development in the region, not the Federal Government,” West stated.
The group, which commended the appointment of new Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umanah Okon Umanah, and the acting Managing Director of NDDC, Engr Emmanuel Audu, said they were satisfied with both appointments by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
“We are comfortable with the focused and transparent disposition of the minister and the recent appointment ofacting managing director as to concentrate on addressing the salient issues that engender grassroots socio-economic growth and development”.
MOSIEND further called on the stakeholders and groups to support and encourage the minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the acting managing director of the commission to achieve the much they can for the region within this limited time they have for our overall interest of the region.
By: Chinedu Wosu
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.