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Let’s Use Politics To Develop Rivers -Fubara …Inaugurates Okocha Road, Spurs In Obio/Akpor
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has given sound technical advice to politicians to stop restricting politics and its associated engagements to only satisfying private or sectional interests but to advance the general welfare and development needs of the people.
Governor Fubara gave the advice at the inauguration of Okocha Road and Spurs in Rumuolumeni Community, which took place at Okocha Road Junction, Nkpor Road, Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State, last Tuesday.
He explained that the benefits of politics and focus of government should not only be to identify supporters from non-supporters for accruable favours but to also sincerely address the needs of the people.
Governor Fubara said, “My advice is: politics is not all about who is supporting you or who is against you. Politics should also include attending to the needs of the people. At this time, if I was an evil person, I would say, ‘I wouldn’t come here’, considering the nature and the location of this place.
“But, because it is our duty in government to provide services, protect lives and property, we have to come to make sure that our people here are happy. It is not about me. It is about the government. Government should be caring. The purpose of government is to put smiles on the faces of our people.”
Providing a background to the project, Governor Fubara explained that after the Presidential Election in 2023, there was need to assuage the heightened anxiety among supporters in the area in order to secure favourable votes for his governorship election.
Governor Fubara stated: “We needed to do everything to make sure that we were very comfortable in my own election. The people of this community are majorly visitors, and this community has a very big voting strength.
“Our supporters, at that time, approached them, spoke to them, and they saw reasons to support us in our election. So, what I am doing here today is to say ‘thank you’ for believing in us.
“Thank you for supporting us. Thank you for also standing by us. The little we can do is to make your lives better, which is why this road is very significant to us because it removes tears from the faces of the people living here.
“It was a terrible road. The living condition here was unimaginable, but to the glory of God today, those things are now history. You can see joy on the faces of the people here. Moreover, the residents who are majorly non-indigenes are also happy.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will address the other requests made on behalf of the community by the Chairman of the Local Government Council, stressing that immediate action will be taken to attend to the other adjoining streets in deplorable situation to make them motorable.
He also directed the Commissioner for Education to immediately visit the Community Secondary School in the area and take necessary steps to ensure a reconstruction that will accommodate more students.
While assuring the people that his administration will continue to work for the betterment of Rivers people, Governor Fubara urged them to be peaceful, obey the laws, and stay out of trouble while doing the right thing always.
Governor Fubara stated that the people of Obio/Akpor will in a few days see the inauguration of the very important Okania/Ogbogoro Road project, saying: “We are not ending there. We are already at the roofing stage of what will be the first General Hospital in Obio/Akpor Local Government.
“You also have a modern Psychiatric Hospital to address issues of mental illness, drug abuse and provide other services that will be available there. So, you can see that our projects are not limited to roads, but to other things that will bring better life to our people,” he added.
Performing the inauguration, former lawmaker representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, stated that Governor Fubara is the king in the hearts of Rivers people that he has incubated with his humane leadership, saying, “Our people gravitate towards you effortlessly. Despite the vicissitude and the vagaries of the politics of our State, you have continued to perform your duty and do your job.
“You have continued to implement projects. You have refused to be distracted by all the legal and political unrighteousness. Government of Rivers State, under your able leadership, has proven once more that you are committed and that you are dedicated to doing all that is within your power to ensure that the welfare and security of our people is guaranteed.”
Providing the project description, Commissioner for Works, Barrister Elloka Tasie-Amadi, said the 1.55km Okocha Road and 405 meters Spurs is 7 meters wide with 2.7km of drains, adding that the road, strategically located between Nkpor and Aker Roads, leads to the Trans-Kalabari Road now under construction.
In his welcome address, Chairman, Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo, thanked Governor Fubara for reconstructing the once impassable road, which has ended the nightmare experienced by the people, and appealed to the Governor to consider reconstructing some dilapidated adjoining roads and the community secondary school to accommodate more students.
Speaking for the contracting firm, Head of Civil Works, Jemajo and Magene Nigeria Limited, Engr Princewill Agim, expressed gratitude to Governor Fubara for trusting them with the job as an indigenous company, adding that the project was built to last with functional drains.
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.