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Ex-Minister Urges Avengers To Halt Attacks
A former Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Bala Kaoje, yesterday, called on Niger Delta Avengers to halt all acts of pipeline vandalism in the region.
Kaoje said this in Abuja at the unveiling of a Unity Task Team set up by an NGO to change the mindset of youth to embrace the unity and progress of Nigeria.
The initiative is being championed by an NGO, “Salute Nigeria Initiative”, headed by its Coordinator-General, Amb. Chielo Ojirika.
Kaoje said that it was time to begin to change the mindset of Nigerian youth in such a way as to portray the good image of the country to the outside world.
He said that changing the mindset of youth to positive issues would promote economic development, project moral behaviour and portray the country positively to the international community.
The former minister, however, called on the Federal Government to provide a pleasant environment and job opportunities for the teeming youth.
“I think basically if we come together and throw away the negative vices like armed robbery, those breaking pipelines and the likes, Nigeria will begin to progress.
“The mindset of the youth must be changed toward developing the nation’s economy. It must also be changed to all those negative issues disturbing this nation.
“Most of these vices are coming up because there are no jobs. There are too many people out there who have gone to school and have no work to do.
“So, it is the task that one must take very seriously by providing the atmosphere whereby Nigerians can be employed.
“And if the youth have something doing, then the negative thinking of Nigerians will change.
“Anybody, who is a member of an armed robbery gang, will begin to have something to do and together the country can be conducive for everyone to live in,’’ he said.
Kaoje further urged Nigerian youths to be proactive and to run away from listening to anyone calling on them to carry out criminal activities.
According to him, these criminal activities are capable of jeopardising the career of youth, while preventing them from being the future leaders of our great country.
“It is time for you to start contributing meaningfully and positively to the growth and development of our great country,’’ Kaoje said.
The Chairman, Police Service Commission, Mr Mike Okiro, said there was an urgent need to change the mindset of the youth and elders to move the country forward.
Okiro, who was represented by his Media Assistant, Mr Kayode Ibitomi, said the emergence of Boko Haram insurgency and Niger Delta Avengers was due to idleness of youth.
He said that prior to the emergence of insecurity, there was economic development in all parts of the country.
Okiro said it was high time the government began to think of how to engage the youth positively.
Also speaking,, Amb. Chielo Ojirika called on the Avengers to sheath their swords and focus on developing the economy.
“Nigeria’s peace has not been threatened like this before as it is today.
“There is agitation from every part of the country in terms of segregation and as a non-governmental organisation, we cannot continue to keep quiet.
“What we are trying to do is to see how we can sensitise the Nigerian people, especially the youth on the need for us to come together, stick together and realise the dreams of our founding fathers.
“The founding fathers of Nigeria in the likes of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, the Awolowos, they all came together despite their different cultural and religious background.
“They were able to achieve peace and unity in Nigeria. So, why do we want Nigeria to cease to exist in our time?’’
Ojirika called on political organisations to remain undaunted and be committed to the delivery of dividends of democracy.
He also called for peace and unity in the country, adding that “ it is only when we are united that we can develop.”
Comrade Usman Danjuma was appointed as a youth ambassador on national development and peace.
Those inaugurated into the Unity Task Team are Mr Mustapha Tasu, Mr Udeme Obot, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, Mr Norbert Anyanwu and Musa Mohammed, among others.
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.