News
Community Protests Agip’s Neglect
The people of Ogoda community of the Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State have blasted the management of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) over alleged neglect, abandonment, marginalisation and divide and rule tactics promoted in the community over the last 50 years of its operation in the area.
The people vented their anger, following a failed meeting between the company’s management and the community representatives at the office of the Rivers State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The meeting, which was to be presided over by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Dr John Bazia, was said to have been called off following the refusal, for the umpteenth time, of Agip officials to honour the parley called on December 1, at the instance of the company.
The Tide learnt that dozens of youth and elders of Ogoda community, had arrived Port Harcourt in chartered buses but became furious and disconcerted when they were informed that the meeting could no longer hold.
The villagers, who expressed dismay over the refusal of the company to honour the negotiation session without any prior information, warned Agip not to take the people of the host community for granted because of their peaceful disposition.
They also threatened to halt all activities of the company in their community if the management of Agip fails to address their grievances.
Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, Chairman, Coordinating Committee of Ogoda Community, Geoffrey Okpara, explained that his people were angry because NAOC had earlier failed to turn up in the same office without any cogent reason, thus prompting the rescheduling of the meeting.
Okpara, however, regretted that it was after the elders and youth of the community had arrived and waited for hours that they were notified that the company will not be able to keep the appointment, a development he said reflected how the company had always taken the community for granted over the years.
Explaining the massive operational impact of Agip on the community, Okpara emphasised that despite the huge asset base, the company’s presence has not been felt by the people.
“The Nigerian Agip Oil Company cannot point at a member of the community who had benefited from its scholarships, as well as its skills acquisition and economic empowerment programmes, and no indigene of Ogoda works in the company,” Okpara lamented.
Arguing that the meeting with Agip officials was important to the people of Ogoda, Okpara insisted that the people were determined to see the list of community members who have benefited from the company’s presence in the area for over 50 years.
“We want Agip to conclude abandoned projects in Ogoda community, and also enter into a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with us as the last one which was poorly executed has long expired”, the community leader added.
It would be recalled that the first meeting between Ogoda and NAOC about two months ago was sequel to a petition by the community to the managing director of the Italian oil and gas giant, NAOC in Lagos, complaining over poor implementation of the 2009 MoU, which expired in 2012, and demanding for a new one that will meet the needs and aspirations of the people of the community.
The Tide learnt that following the failure of the meeting to hold December 1, another session was plotted to hold immediately after the rescheduled December 10, 2016 Legislative re-run elections in Rivers State.
However, The Tide could not immediately confirm the new date, but inside sources, have expressed concern that any attempt to delay the peace parley could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the community.
All attempts to reach Agip’s Public Affairs for confirmation of the company’s position on the meeting were unsuccessful.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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.