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2019: Shun Failed Leaders, Okowa, Wike Urge Electorate …As Okowa Hails Gov For Setting Pace In Dev
Ahead of 2019 general elections, Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and his Rivers State counterpart, Chief Nyesom Wike have urged the electorate to shun elected officers who have failed to deliver on their electoral promises.
The two governors spoke yesterday, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State during the commissioning of projects executed by Wike’s administration by Okowa.
Okowa, who was in Port Harcourt on the invitation of his Rivers State counterpart, emphasised that in 2019, the electorate should make their decisions based on the delivery of promises made by political office holders.
“When you see good thing and you don’t admire it, it means that either you are sick or you are wicked,” the governor said, adding, “all eyes can see the quality of projects you (Governor Wike) are executing, people call you Mr Projects, but, you are Mr Quality Projects.”
He emphasised, “our democracy is ripe for our people to re-elect people based on their performance, those seeking re-election should be able to show their report cards, the people should be able to look at the promises they made before they assumed office and check if they have delivered on such promises.”
Okowa, who commissioned the Mgbuoshimini Model Primary School and Mgbuoshimini Modern Primary Health Centre, commended Wike for executing “life changing projects.
“It is good to give thanksgiving to God, it is better that God acknowledges that you are rendering selfless service to the people,” he added, noting, “Governor Wike is offering service, services that touch lives to his people.”
Wike had in his speech, disclosed that he learnt a lot from the quality of the numerous projects executed by Okowa’s administration in Delta State, stating that those who have failed to deliver on their electoral promises have no business seeking for re-election.
He assured the people of Rivers State that his administration will not relent in executing projects that would make them happy and profusely thanked Okowa for honouring his invitation to commission projects in his state.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has stated that Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike is setting the pace in infrastructural development for others to follow.
Speaking before commissioning the Mgbuoshimini Model Primary School and Mgbuoshimini Primary Healthcare Centre in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, yesterday, Okowa said that Wike is one of the special heroes of the current democratic dispensation.
Okowa said: “He is re-defining the health sector; he is re-defining the education sector, re-defining the road infrastructural sector and other key areas of governance.
“He is one of our special heroes in Nigeria today. In re-defining these sectors, Governor Wike is setting the pace for us to follow”.
The Delta State governor said Rivers State came out tops on infrastructure in a national survey conducted.
Okowa said that Wike not only executes projects, but ensures that the people are blessed with quality projects.
“Governor Wike is not only Mr Projects, he is Mr Quality Projects. When you see good things and you don’t admire them, you are either blind or a wicked man. I am excited to be here to witness these life- changing projects”, Okowa said.
He said Wike was committed to the service of Rivers people, pointing out that the Mgbuoshimini Primary Healthcare Centre was outstanding and may stand as a hospital in some states.
He said that the model primary school was also a quality project that will develop the community.
Also speaking, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike thanked the people of Mgbuoshimini community for allowing the state government take over the disputed land which had claimed several lives.
He said: “I thank the host communities for allowing the state government take over the disputed land. When we came on board, this land had claimed lives and became a centre of criminality. We took over the land and constructed the school and health centre, which were lacking in the area”.
The Rivers State governor informed that the ongoing road project in front of the health centre and model primary school will be completed before the end of the year.
He commended Agip Nigeria Limited for furnishing the hospital, urging them to do more for the community in terms of corporate responsibility.
Wike stated that the market very close to the school and health centre would be re-located to create the right environment for the institutions to serve the people.
The Rivers State governor said that his Delta State counterpart was one of the governors he has respect for because of the developmental projects in his state.
He noted that he engages in peer review with the Delta State governor for greater performance.
Rivers State Health Commissioner, Prof Princewill Chike said that the Mgbuoshimini Primary Healthcare Centre was a modern facility with the necessary equipment to enhance access to quality healthcare.
Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, said that the model primary school has laboratory, library, information and communication technology centre and play arena.
Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Prince Noble Amadi said the projects aside providing service, have grown peace in Mgbuoshimini community.
There was a goodwill message from Agip Nigeria Limited delivered by the District General Manager, Mr Tiani Alexandro.
He assured that Agip would continue to work with the Rivers State Government on community development.
Hundreds of Mgbuoshimini people defied the heavy downpour to witness the commissioning of the two projects.
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.