News
Uwheru Resumes As MD/CEO Of PHED
Sequel to the recent restructuring of five DisCos in Nigeria, Dr Benson Uwheru, has assumed office as the new MD/CEO of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Plc.
Uwheru succeeds the former MD/CEO of the company, Dr Henry Ajagbawa, who has been appointed to manage the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) due to his exceptional performance at PHED Plc.
A statement signed by the Head, Corporate Communications, PHED, John Anonyai, and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, last Saturday, said, Ajagbawa moved PHED from a loss to a profit-making organization within one year of his appointment as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the company.
Also, a new Board has been constituted for the PHED Plc following the restructuring.
The new board has Iboroma Akpana as chairman; while members includes Emmanuel Okotete; Eyo Ekpo; Ismaila Shuaibu; Alex Okoh – representing the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE).
“All appointments take immediate effect,” the statement said.
Ajagbawa achieved several milestones in the less than three years period he piloted the affairs of PHED.
Some of the strides he attained are; a total transformation of the work culture in the company, including improved staff welfare, development and expansion of technical, structural and other critical infrastructures that has stabilised the DisCo and its operations across its franchise area.
During his stint at PHED, Ajagbawa achieved an unprecedented growth in collection of revenue by over 120percent.
He also institutionalised corporate governance as the hallmark of the company’s modus operandi as outlined in over 100 policies and processes that has become part of PHED’s treasures.
Interestingly, the Federal Government, in her wisdom, appointed yet another cerebral administrator, Dr. Benson Uwheru, Doctor of Science, Financial Management (Honoris Causa), MCIU to take charge.
He is a Strategy and Risk Compliance expert, a respected thought leader across several areas of Corporate Governance and Compliance.
He comes in to ride on these milestones and take PHED to even greater heights.
Uwheru is a faculty member of the West African Institute of Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM).
He pioneered the establishment of the Corporate Governance Centre of Excellence in Nigeria and the Financial Services Governance and Risk Academy.
An energy consultant, he worked with several clients in the power sector, formulating investment strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, leading to international expansion and diversification into new businesses.
He also led the review of the power sector market study with clear recommendations on challenges in the sector.
In Africa, he propelled the Corporate Governance Framework and Board Operations across sectors in 18 countries across the continent.
Until his appointment at PHED, Uwheru was a Partner at Ernst & Young and a Banking and Capital Market Sector Leader for West Africa.
He has extensive experience in Leadership, Corporate Governance, Strategy, Risk Management and Compliance.
Uwheru holds a degree in Accounting.
He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB), a Fellow of the American Academy of Financial Management, Fellow, Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals, and a Certified Risk and Compliance Management Professional (CRCMP).
By: Nelson Chukwudi
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.