News
Mayor of Housing Eulogises Fubara For Creating Investment Promotion Agency • Tasks Agency On Consultations, Town-hall Meetings
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has expressed satisfaction with the signing of the Executive Order No. 002 of 2024, setting up the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, saying it is the best news from government since the conclusion of the economic summit.
He said by taking this bold step the governor did not only act on the recommendations from the summit but also a show of promises that would be kept.
According to him, the first step on the rung of the ladder usually shows how far the person would go; the governor has proved that other things would be done.
He said: “We have been watching the body language of the governor and it is now turning to actions. Already, a lot of people would be aligning with this coming agency to ensure they are the frontrunners in accessing the incentives being promised to boost the ease of doing business. This has boosted our confidence that indeed, brighter days are here.”
China stated that investors were not only excited but they were also expecting that the selection process of the key persons to reflect the governor’s determination to get the economy on fast track.
The real estate success strategist stressed the need for tested and trusted bureaucrats to man the agency, and appealed to those to be selected to endeavour to hit the ground running with consultations and town-hall meetings.
“They have to be very sound, and the team leader has to mean business just as the state means business.
“They have to be round peg in round hole. They have to be people that would motivate and drive people to aspire to do more businesses in the state. Their business disposition and acumen and their accessibility to investors are what will decide the outcome.
“The state boasts of very seasoned and sound business technocrats in the past that have the passion to bring ease of doing business”, he said.
Giving tips, he urged persons to be appointed to get to work immediately and closely collaborate with the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), saying that before any investor would want invest in any place, they would want to first visit the place.
He said while the RSTDA would be putting forward the best of the state’s cultural and creative values and assets, the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency should be putting forward the best of business opportunities and incentives.
“With both of them collaborating, it should be able to bring in not just tourists but business tourists. Not only that, they will help the local business people to export what is produced in Rivers State and thus push the state to be a leading business hub which is the essence of the new agency and the vision of the state governor.”
He said there were lots of recommendations from the economic summit. “We expect that this agency will work to ensure that the recommendations are implemented.
“In addition to the summit which was a gathering of investors both local and international, I think the Investment Promotion Council should start conducting town-hall meetings, workshops and interactive workshops with local direct investors (LDIs).
“I have always said that the LDIs are the stimulants and the inviters of the foreign direct investors (FDIs), because when the locals are happy, they are the ones to invite the foreign investors who act on the experience and testimonies of the local investors.
“Also, it’s the LDIs that enter into partnerships with FDIs. It is very rare for any FDI to invest in any location without any local investors who are their foot and hands on ground.
“So, this agency would need to partner and implement most of the things that will excite the local investors that will attract foreign investors”, he said.
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.