News
Minister Commissions Two Water Projects In Ogoniland
The Minister of Environment, Hon Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has commissioned two water facilities in Bomu Community and Kporghor Community in Gokana and Tai Local Government Areas respectively of Rivers State.
The commissioning ceremony, which took place in Bomu Community last Friday witnessed a large crowd of enthusiastic Ogoni people and personalities from all walks of life.
The Minister was accompanied at the event by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr Abubakar Momoh and some bigwigs of federal agencies.
Before the commissioning of the water projects proper, the Ministers had visited the barricaded HYPREP’s remediation site in Ogale Community in Eleme Local Government Area to assess the situation, before proceeding to the palace of the Gbere-Mene Gokana Kingdom, King Festus Babari Bagio on a courtesy visit, where they and other dignitaries were treated to a lavish reception.
At the palace, the two Ministers and the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Deinibarini Zabbey were presented awards of excellence by the Gokana Youth Council led by MeneKpakol E. Kpakol.
Lawal and Zabbey were also presented their certificates of recognition by the Gokana Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs as members, having been inaugurated into the council last year.
While inaugurating the water facilities, Lawal praised the Ogoni people for their support to the President Bola Tinubu administration and the various projects being carried out by HYPREP in their land, and enjoined them to continue to take ownership of the projects.
The Minister also issued International Maritime Organisation(IMO) Levels 1 and 2 certificates to trained community workers as well as launched the pilot cook stove project and equally unveiled GROWCOON for growing mangrove seedlings.
As a way of commemorating the 2024 International Mangrove Day which was marked that Friday, the Ministers and the Project Coordinator of HYPREP planted mangroves at the Bomu waterfront.
Goodwill messages were also delivered at the occasion by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs; the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of HYPREP, Dr Mike Nwielaghi; the representative of the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP); representative of Shell Petroleum Development Company(SPDC); representative of Stakeholder Democratic Network(SDN); representative of the Centre of Environment and Human Rights Development(CEHRD); and the spokesman of CRAC , HYPREP, King Suanu Baridam.
In his welcome address, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey said the commissioning of the water facilities reflects the new spirit of accelerating the Ogoni clean-up project in alignment with Priority 3, Derivable 3 of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises the importance of environmental sustainability and community empowerment as critical pillars for sustainable development.
He noted that HYPREP is proud to contribute to this national agenda, reflecting a new spirit of determination and action.
According to him, the Minister of Environment’s wisdom and guidance have ensured that the Project Coordination Office proceeded meaningfully while carrying out this presidential directive.
The Project Coordinator said “the commissioning of the water projects marks another milestone in our collective journey toward successfully implementing the UNEP Report on Ogoniland recommendations”.
He further indicated that access to clean and safe water is a fundamental human right, as the people witness once again the fulfilment of this promise to the hydrocarbon impacted communities in Ogoniland, and urged the communities to continue to protect the water facilities for common use.
Zabbey hinted that HYPREP is strengthening healthcare facilities across the four local government areas of Ogoniland.
He also announced that the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration is at 60 percent completion rate, as a committee has been established to recommend a framework for its operations.
According to him, progress is being made on the Ogoni Specialist Hospital while the Buan Cottage Hospital has been roofed.
The Project Coordinator equally revealed that the training of 5,000 Ogoni youths and women in 20 skill areas is nearing completion while the Minister has graciously approved the provision of skill-specific starter packs to the trainees.
He said HYPREP is also enhancing its stakeholder engagement strategies, ensuring that the voices and needs of the Ogoni people are at the forefront of its initiatives.
He said the Project is undertaking the world’s largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves, as it has so far planted 514,819 mangrove seedlings.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr Abubakar Momoh noted in his goodwill message that the Federal Government is highly committed to the clean-up project in Ogoniland, and appealed to the youths to remain calm and not allow politicians to use them to foment trouble or to engage in anything that would disrupt and truncate the gains already achieved, saying he was delighted to witness the commissioning of the water facilities and for having come to witness what was happening in Ogoniland.
He also expressed joy that President Tinubu had within a tickle of the eye reinstated the Project Coordinator as soon as interventions were made on his behalf.
He said the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) in particular has taken a different shape under the President Tinubu administration, and assured the people of Niger Delta that good things would continue to come to the region.
According to him, the Niger Delta would be greatly transformed, going by the allocations made for the region in this year’s budget.
The dignitaries were treated to scintillating cultural displays at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi
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.