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Shops Allocation: Fear Not, Gov Fubara Assures Mile One Market Traders
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged all original owners of shops at the Mile One (Rumuwoji) Market in Port Harcourt to subject themselves to the ongoing verification exercise for proper capturing and eventual allocation of shops.
Governor Fubara gave the advise when some aggrieved traders, organised as ‘Mile One (Rumuwoji) Market Phase 2 Genuine Shop Owners Affected by 2013 Inferno’ went on a peaceful protest march to Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The group was received by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, on behalf of Governor Fubara.
While appealing to members of the group not to despair, Governor Fubara asked them to go back and work with the Rivers State Government Reconciliation Committee on Lockup Shops at Mile One (Rumuwoji) Market, which had been empowered to address the contending issues.
Governor Fubara stated that the committee will work with information that they have, which is why every claimant must appear before them for proper verification and their proof of ownership confirmed.
He said, “We are aware of the problems in Mile One Market. We may not know all the details off-hand, but one thing that I can assure you is that, as you have alluded here also, the Governor has come to ensure that there is peace and that you people have your means of livelihood handed back to you.
“The issue of Mile One Market, honestly speaking, Government is giving it a very good attention. This committee is Rivers State Government Committee. If you suspect any bias, let us know or approach the committee members, we will address you very well.
“But, what we will not allow is where our State will now be tilted to a place of violent protests. So, what I want to tell you is that, as the committee has started the process, we will continue with that process, fine-tune it where ever we think that, maybe, the process is not very good.”
Governor Fubara emphasised: “So, my assurance to you is that this committee will live up to expectation. Whatever this committee will do, will stand the test of time.
“Honestly speaking, the number of people that might be shop owners there, not the entire 100 percent of them will get. But be sure that a very large percentage will get. I can assure you that.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of Rivers State Government Reconciliation Committee on Lockup Shops at Mile One (Rumuwoji) Market, Mrs Ibiwari Clapton-Ogolo, who is also the solicitor general and permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice, said there was no need for the apprehension expressed by the group.
Mrs Clapton-Ogolo pointed out that the committee has the mandate to accommodate all complaints, verify every claim and ensure that the original owners, those who took Government to court, will be the first to be allocated shops before attending to others.
She, however, insisted that if the group of original owners of shops refuses to subject themselves to the ongoing process, they will be jeopardizing their position because the exercise will be stalled for no reason.
Speaking for the group, Mr Wariso Soso Soberekon, said they were afraid that the process has ignored their plight, and designed to short-change them by denying them the chance to be reallocated their shops.
This, he noted, is because the names that appeared in the newspaper publications, the basis for the public invitation of claimants, did not include their names.
Mr Soberekon insisted that they were assured that when allocation will be made, the original owners of shops will not be subjected to balloting or made to compete through any qualifying exercise to regain their shops.
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.