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Fubara, Others Receive Certificates Of Return
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Wednesday witnessed the presentation of Certificates of Return to the Rivers State Governor-elect, Sir Siminialayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the 32 members of the State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Also present at the certificate presentation held at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, were former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche; former Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Sam Sam Jaja and the PDP chairman in Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, among others.
The governor-elect and his deputy were presented their certificates of return by the INEC National Commissioner supervising Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers State, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu.
Speaking after receiving his certificate of return, Fubara urged the opposition to join his incoming administration to build a better and progressive Rivers State.
“For the opposition, our doors are open, including our window. If you don’t want to pass the door you can enter through the window because we really need everyone on board for a better and progressive Rivers State”, he said.
Fubara commended INEC for the successful conduct of the governorship election, which he described as one of the best in recent history in the State.
The governor-elect attributed the success recorded by INEC in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections to the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“I want to commend you for this innovation. Although we had a little hitches here and there, I believe going forward, INEC should ensure that ad hoc staff, including their staff are given proper training early enough so that the hitches experienced, most especially during the presidential election will not be experienced in future elections”, he said.
Fubara also commended Rivers electorates for voting massively for him, his deputy and other PDP candidates in the elections.
According to him, his emergence as the governor-elect is a resounding reaffirmation of Rivers’ people support for continuity and consolidation of the New Rivers vision of Governor Wike’s administration.
“We will ensure that, though the bar had been raised before us, we will also raise the bar for whoever is going to take over from us”, he assured.
Fubara thanked Wike, whose sterling performance in office, he said, spurred the electorate in the State to vote for him and the 32 House of Assembly members-elect.
In her remarks, the INEC National Commissioner supervising Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers State, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, told the governor-elect and the lawmakers elect to realise that being successfully elected into an office is a call to service.
“Beyond the excitement of your new position and office, you must commit to good leadership and you must ensure the trust and vote of the electorate are reciprocated with good governance, security of life , positive human and infrastructural development in Rivers state and Nigeria by extension”, he charged.
Agbamuche-Mbu appealed to security agencies and political parties to cooperate with INEC to ensure hitch free conduct of supplementary election in two federal constituencies, namely PHALGA 2 and Khana/Gokana in the State this weekend.
On his part, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the State, Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, urged the governor-elect and others not to see their success in the poll as a personal victory, but a triumph for the democratic process and a call for national duty.
He advised: “You must be magnanimous in victory and ensure you run an inclusive government at all levels. Let me remind you that the office you have been elected into is essentially rendering service to God and humanity.
“There are expectations not only from those who voted you into office but also from all Nigerians within and outside Rivers State. I pray that God will give you the wisdom and courage to make the right decisions that will better the lives of our people and by extension our nation Nigeria.”
Sinikiem further advised the governor-elect and others who won their election and will be part of governance from May 29, 2023, to use their good office to deepen democratic ethos in Nigeria by ensuring that they do their bit to better the country’s electoral process.
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.