News
Rivers CP Decorates 56 Newly Promoted
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, has tasked senior police officers in the state to be more dedicated and bear the true image of the force while discharging their responsibilities.
Eboka made the call while decorating the newly promoted 56 Superintendents of Police in the command at a brief decoration programme held at the command’s headquarters on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday.
The police helmsman urged the new senior officers to brace up with the challenges and responsibilities associated with their new status, and warned that anyone found culpable would be sanctioned accordingly.
He commended the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, and the Police Service Commission (PSC) for the recommendation and approval of the promotions, adding the IGP has been diligent and committed to the welfare of officers and men of the force.
According to him, the command has produced three commissioners of police in one year since his inception as police boss, saying that Rivers State Command has not been left out in the series of promotions.
“We are all happily gathered here today to celebrate our officers who have been found worthy by the Police Service Commission on recommendation of the IGP. They were promoted from Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to Superintendent of Police (SP). Of those promoted recently, 56 of them are from Rivers State Police Command.
“We are happy that whenever good things happen in the Force, Rivers State always partakes and is not forgotten.
“The IGP, when he took over, mentioned that he was going to fight welfare of his officers and men and this is what he is doing.
“Since I was posted to Rivers State, about three Deputy Commissioners of Police have been promoted to rank of Commissioners of Police and redeployed.
“Others have also been promoted from one rank to another.
“We are, indeed, grateful to the IGP for his magnanimity, and making sure he puts smiles on our faces.
“We must let you know that while we are celebrating you, to whom much is given, much is expected.
“I want to let you know that SPs who are doing well will still find themselves as Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) because most of them are young, and can deliver more than those who are no longer agile.
“I want to express gratitude to God for giving you the health to reach this rank. It is not all your course mates who started with you are here to celebrate the promotion of the new rank. Some were dismissed, some dropped and some have gone to the world beyond.
“It is one thing to have a new rank, it is another thing to maintain the rank you have acquired.
“If you do not maintain it, we will not hesitate to withdraw the rank from you.”
The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, was among the 56 deputy superintendents of police that were decorated with their new ranks of Superintendent of Police (SP).
Speaking after the brief ceremony, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, thanked God for the elevation to the new rank, and also expressed appreciation to the Police Service Commission and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba for finding them worthy of the promotion as well as Friday Eboka for making out time despite his tight schedule to decorate them.
She promised that the promotion would inspire them to work harder as the new rank calls for service and responsibility.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, during the ceremony, presented DSP Loveth Patra Ekufu, a world and African champion on mixed martial arts/kick boxer to management team of the command.
Eboka said he was proud the recent world champion was currently serving in state police command, and used the opportunity to commend her for making the command, Nigeria Police Force and the country proud.
The CP urged her to continue to make the force proud even as he encouraged other officers and men to get involved in sports for fitness, not just for award winning.
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.