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#OurStateOurResponsibility: Banigo Endorses Campaign
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo has said that the state Ministry of Information and Communications has set the pace for youths and talent development through the #OurStateOurResponsibility Advocacy Campaign.
Banigo said this, yesterday, in Port Harcourt while declaring open a sensitisation programme with the theme: “Wind Of Change” organised by the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications.
“Let me also congratulate the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications for organising #OurStateOurResponsibility from where the intellectual acumen of Sophia Awajibenem E. Oyibo was identified and unveiled. This is a great positive contribution to the development of our youth”, Banigo said.
The deputy governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs, Barrister Uche Uriri, also described the event as an encouragement to the girl-child, and her pet project, “Protect The Child Initiative”.
She called on other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), including the private sector to emulate the ministry, and chart a future for the youth with particular attention to the girl-child.
Banigo also called on youths in the state to take advantage of the huge investment in education by Governor Nyesom Wike to improve themselves academically.
In his remarks, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim said that Governor Nyesom Wike has surpassed all his contemporaries interms of delivery of the dividends of democracy and clear performance in infrastructure development.
Nsirim, who spoke during the event, said Wike has changed the infrastructural landscape of Rivers State, makinghim the Number One Governor in the country.
He said it behooves everyone living and doing business in the state to support the governor to build the “Rivers State of our dreams”.
The commissioner said the #OurStateOurResponsibility campaign was conceived to gelvanise the people into understanding that all have a shared responsibility to promote and protect the state, adding that it was gratifying to note that the campaign, which started two years ago,was moving from one level to the other.
According to Nsirim, the ministry believes that the time has come when the virtues of hardwork, honesty, those values that make a nation, should be promoted.
He said the seminar was in line with the desire of the ministry’s Ambassador; Miss Sophia Awajibenem Oyibo to demonstrate that there was a brighter future for Rivers youths.
Speaking, the Chairman of the occasion and Rivers State Head of Service,Barrister Rufus Godwins, said Miss Oyibo has proven that irrespective of the school one attended, one can actually develop his or her talents.
Godwins said the state was blazing the trail in infrastructural development, and urged all to key into the laudableNEW Rivers Vision programmes of the administration.
He said the task of changing the narrative of the state was collective one.
Also speaking, the #OurStateOurResponsibility Ambassador, Miss Sophia Awajibenem Oyibo, called on Rivers youths to create value for the society, and also urged them to be role models to others.
She said they must be determined, adding that the growth and development of the state depends on the collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
Oyibo said the seminar was to prove to the world that her emergence as the ministry’s ambassador was on merit, and not through any connection, adding that any of the youths can attain that height too.
The event was attended by representatives of the Rivers State Commissioners for Education and Youth Development and over 20 schools from both the public and private sectors.
By: John Bibor & Oribim Ibama
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.