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Don’t Allow Yourselves To Be Used By Politicians, NDDC Boss Tells NAWOJ
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has called on women journalists in the region to reawaken the consciousness of the society and uphold the ethics of the profession.
The new Chairperson of NDDC Board, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, made the call when members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Rivers State paid a courtesy call on the commission at the Eastern Bypass head office in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Onochie, who was the immediate past Senior Special Assistant on New Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, expressed joy in hosting the female journalists, having been a member of the association in the past.
The NDDC boss said this in response to the request by the Chairperson of the Rivers State chapter of NAWOJ, Mrs. Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, on the need for NDDC to partner with women to promote the development of the region while highlighting the challenges of women in the region.
Onochie said the board has set up a committee to look into the Private Partnership (PP) framework in developing the region.
“The report of the committee on PP has not been submitted to the board, so, once we get the report, we would respond to your request, and know how far we can collaborate with you,” she assured.
The NDDC chairperson said, “But as women and women journalists, your primary duty is still the conscience of our region. You must learn to report issues exactly as it has happened, irrespective of whose ox is gored.
“You must look at things dispassionately, it doesn’t matter if you are sympathetic to APC or PDP. Everything is not about politics but sad enough, I have come to see that Journalism in Nigeria has become a thing of interest rather than being the conscience and soul of the nation.
“You are the Fourth Estate of the Realm. Where the Executive of the Federal Government does wrong, where the National Assembly fails, you correct them to make the relevant laws. Where the Judiciary fails to uphold our laws, it is the Fourth Estate of the Realm, the Journalists, that will stand for the people and stand dispassionately for the people of Nigeria, irrespective of your political leanings.
“Politics should not come into Journalism. You should be free, you should report freely, fairly and you should report Justice.
“That is how our leaders will know the truth, and as the holy book says, you know the truth and the truth shall set you free. If we continue making everything based on our leader is APC or PDP, that is where it becomes huge problem for our nation.
“You have to remember that there are more people in Nigeria who do not belong to a political party than those who belong to a political party.
“So, your reportage should be for the welfare, wellbeing and justice in the nation as the Fourth Estate of the Realm. That is your principal role, and I would like to seek your support in that regard.
“Support us to showcase what we do here to the world, irrespective of how ever you look at us. We are not asking for any special favours. We are just asking that you report correctly, because that has become the bane of our society.
“Journalists are not reporting the correct things, just report what happened, no embellishing because if in the end, you report unjustly and it leads to chaos, it leads to wars, its our women and children that will suffer more.
“So, I want to thank you for coming here to offer your hand of friendship to the commission. We accept your hands of friendship. I say we will collaborate with you, and we will work together for betterment of Niger Delta. Thank you and God bless you.”
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.