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Buhari Pays Tribute To Nimi Briggs
President Muhammadu Buhari, has described late Prof. Nimi Briggs, as a man with indelible blueprint who brought peace to the university system.
Buhari, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, made this known at the Official Memorial Ceremony for Briggs, in Abuja, yesterday.
He praised the deceased for bringing his unparalleled activities, commitment and passion to instill industrial peace in the university system.
“ In honour of the late Prof. Briggs, I join others to console with the wife, family, academia and other person’s from other areas. This is a reality of existence that we have to contend with.
“We cannot question the will and wisdom of the Almighty God.
“At times like these, we need to look back and thank God for the gift of life of Prof. Briggs, our gathering is not to mourn.
“This journey of life cut almost all part of our national existence and also transverse great service in various landmarks in our country.
“ In his two main major areas of expertise -academic and medical, he stands out. He has brought his unparalleled life abilities on the scene of academic positions.
“It will be deserving of mention his gratitude for leading the Federal Government team of negotiations with our academic labour unions on improving our university system in the country,” he said
The president also described him as a man of humility, God-fearing, devoted and a perfect gentleman who had left a mark to be filled by others.
The President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said the death of Briggs was not just shocking but disheartening to say the least.
Osodeke, represented by the Investment Secretary of the union, Mr Austin Sado, said Briggs was a distinguished leader empowered by the Federal Government to renegotiate the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement.
He praised the deceased for approaching the role with unequalled dedication and faithfulness.
“We commend the late Briggs as he earned the respect for the honest commitment to this assignment. His contribution sets him apart for honour and will forever be missed,” he said
He said that the late Briggs through his works, immortalise his name and would never be forgotten.
Also, speaking, Sen. Andrew Uchendu, Pro-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt said the best way to mourn the late Briggs was for the academy community to play their roles for the overall development of the country.
Responding, the son of the late Briggs, Nina thanked the academy community for standing strong for the Briggs family throughout the demise of their father.
He called on the community to stand up for the good part of his father’s life as to recede the darkness in the society.
“ My father is a human being, though we have private loss but now I can see that his loss is a communal loss to Nigeria, medical community and academy community.
“He touched lives in one way or the other within a little or wide window.
“ I will want us to find the element Nimi Briggs drop in you and amplify it. Let us stand up to something good so that the darkness in the society will recede.
“ That is the best legacy you can all give to him,” he said.
The Tide source reports that tributes were rolled in for the deceased from the Academy of Science, Academy of Medicine, College of Medicine and University of Lagos.
Other tributes were delivered from the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal and State universities.
Until his death on April 10, Briggs was the Pro-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndifu Alike, the 5th Vice-Chancellor, University of Port-Harcourt and Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.
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.