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NIDO Honours Dabiri, Shagari
Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Americas and Newark Municipal Council jointly honoured Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (AC-Lagos) and Hon Aminu Shagari (PDP-Sokoto) on Friday for their legislative interventions in Diaspora and Human rights affairs.
At a grand reception jointly organised by NIDO New Jersey, Newark Municipal Council and Newark African Commission in the City Hall of Newark on Friday, encomiums and praises were showered on the legislators.
Dabiri-Erewa, who is the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Shagari, a member of the Committee, were also given certificates of honour.
Earlier at another event, Dabiri-Erewa bagged another award by a group of Black American women leaders in New Jersey for her various political contributions to the development of women and children in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.
In his remarks, Mr Dosso Kassimou, President Newark African Commission said the lawmakers had done Nigeria and Africa proud through their legislative activities which have impacted positively on Nigerians living home and abroad.
Kassimou expressed happiness that Africans were making waves in their various human endeavours and urged other Africans to emulate the sterling qualities of the lawmakers.
Speaking in the same vein, Hon. Mildred Crump, President, Newark Municipal Council, urged other Nigerians to emulate the good work of the lawmakers and back their words with actions.
Crump said she was particularly happy that women were making steady progress in the new political dispensation not only in Nigeria but also on the African continent.
Mr Dayo Sanusi, NIDO New Jersey Coordinator, said the honour was bestowed on the lawmakers to show the organisation’s appreciation for their various contributions to the emancipation of Nigerians in Diaspora and human rights in general.
Sanusi said it is hoped that the lawmakers would continue to work for the realisation of the participation of NIDO in the democratic process in Nigeria through Diaspora voting.
In his acceptance speech, Shagari thanked all the groups for honouring them, saying they had been challenged to do more for emancipation of not only Nigerians in Diaspora but other African nations.
Shagari said they worked hard on the proposed Diaspora Commission in order for the NIDO to have a sense of belonging in the affairs of the country
To the elated Dabiri-Erewa, she said the award came at a time she least expected as it would spur her more to contribute her quota to the emancipation of children, women and other Nigerians living abroad.
She urged NIDO members not to forget their African origin and further advised them to be agents of positive change, saying the proposed Diaspora Commission would serve as a synergy between the Diasporas and the Nigeria.
NAN reports that the various receptions were part of the 2010 NIDO Americas two-day world conference geared towards financing infrastructure for sustainable development in Nigeria.
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.