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Security: PCRC Holds Street Walk For Fubara, Lauds Gov @50
The Rivers State chapter of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) on Tuesday marched through major roads and streets of Port Harcourt to celebrate peace and stability in Rivers State.
The PCRC commended the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara’s commitment to peace.
The peace walk by PCRC was part of the activities to commemorate its 2025 Annual Peace Walk.
The PCRC members who converged at Isaac Boro Park as early as 7am, marched through Asarama Street to Old GRA, Forces Avenue, Azikiwe Road and terminated at the Government House Port Harcourt where they reiterated their commitment to serve humanity, and promote peace and security in the State.
Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the State Chairman of PCRC, Mr.Voke Emore, commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for prioritising peace and wellbeing of Rivers people.
He said the peace walk was to sensitise the public of the existence of PCRC and its role in the society.
Emore congratulated the governor on his 50th birthday anniversary and prayed to God to grant him more wisdom in handling the affairs of the state.
He called on Rivers people, especially the stakeholders in the state, to join in ensuring sustainable peace in the State.
He said, “We are here today for our 2025 annual peace walk. We want peace in Rivers State and Nigeria in extension. We have had a lot of issues, but we have enjoyed peace in Rivers State, and the PCRC has made it a point of call to ensure that peace remains in Rivers State, so we decided to take a match annually to tell Rivers people that peace is priceless and terror is senseless.
“As the Chief Security Officer of the State, we felt it was only proper that we stop by to receive your blessings before we start our regular activities for the year, and to also tell the government too of what we stand for. And that we are happy with what they are doing in keeping peace, how they have empowered the security, the police, the army and other sister agencies, among others.
“We also wish to assure you of our continued partnership and support to you and your government.
“And today happens to be the governor’s birthday which is a good coincidence for us, we also want to use this opportunity to wish the governor a happy birthday.”
He said further that, “The work of policing cannot be left to the Nigeria Police alone, hence the partnership between the Police and the PCRC, whose membership is made up of people drawn form every section of the society, covering every religious, political, regional divide and more.
“We advice all Rivers people especially the stakeholders maintain peace, no matter the political divide, Rivers State has been very peaceful thus far, which is quite amazing because when political tension stirs up you usually hear of killings left right and centre, but there is nothing like that so we applaud every party here, what we are asking for is that that peace is sustained. PCRC is ready to work with everybody to achieve this.
“This partnership is aimed at bridging the gap between the Police and the host communities, thereby engendering trust and mutual respect,” he said.
In his response, Governor Fubara, represented by the State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, thanked members of the PCRC for their role in promoting peace in the state through their partnership with the police and other security agencies.
He reiterated the State Government’s commitment to sustainable peace in the State.
While commending the PCRC for their services to humanity, he stated that, “the governor is highly committed to serving humanity. Everything he does had at it’s back, humanity.
“You are aware of what he has done for Rivers people, starting from the civil servants, where he has raised the hope of many hopeless people.
“Because of the governor’s love for humanity, people that were denied promotion for years were promoted, and he has given promotion up to date, he has also paid their arrears. The governor has paid salaries of workers and other entitlements regularly. For two years now, Civil Servants also recieved N100.000 as Christmas bonus. This year he added retirees and public servants.”
Nwaeke noted that the PCRC’s Annual Peace Walk Day coincided with the governor’s birthday, saying, “28th of January is actually the governor’s birthday. Setting out that day for your peace walk means you are immortalising his name, I want to thank you for that kind gesture.”
He added, “Every Community in Rivers State should be able to assist the police by imbibing the spirit of community policing.”
Akujobi Amadi
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.