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‘Over 100 Companies Support Rivers Zero Crime Initiative’
Over 100 companies and individuals have thrown their support for the new security scheme initiated by the state Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi.
The figures were made public on Wednesday by Chairperson of a joint stakeholders committee to drive the schedule, Kate Ezeigbo, during a public launch and press conference in Port Harcourt.
Ezeigbo said already the initiative has commenced with visits, sensitisation of all sectors and stakeholders, especially the business community.
She commended all who have shown support, while reminding them that security is the responsibility of all members of the society.
Meanwhile, the police have said that in the last two months, over 66 suspects and over 20 kidnapped victims have been freed.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emeka Nwonyi made the disclosure in an interactive chat with media and other stakeholders during the official unveiling of the “Rivers Crime Free” Initiative.
He said barely three months after he assumed office crime has been tackled to the barest minimum.
“In the second week as I resumed as commissioner of police, we tracked a notorious kidnapper, Wodi Amadi from Egbeda to Ogoloma. His gang opened fire on the police but was overpowered together with his three-man gang of accomplices”.
Nwonyi stated that on weekly basis, the police make huge in-roads and this scheme is people driven.
The state Commissioner of Police stressed the need for partnership among all stakeholders to make the initiative work, saying “there is an urgent need to make the state not to deteriorate than this .”
He commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for giving his support, and providing the enabling environment, especially the transport palliatives for the citizenry.
Nwonyi expressed appreciation to former Governor Nyesom Wike, who he said laid the foundation for the strong security architecture in the state.
Reacting to questions while condemning activities of corrupt police officers, Nwonyi, assured the public that the scheme would be run through a two-way communication feedback as the public can report errant officers.
The pubilc suggestion and information box, in the view of Nwonyi, is to reduce friction between the public and police, so as to create fluid operations and public relations.
So far, some flash points have been identified, especially the Diobu axis, as he urged traders, residents and citizens of the area to provide information to the police.
Youths and young secondary school students are also built into the initiative, the police commissioner further stated.
The aim of establishing the School Security Clubs, according to him, is to enlighten and educate students on the need to eschew crime.
In addition to that, young students would be given security and safety training, while as an essay competition would be organised to test their knowledge.
Speaking through his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, the state Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, pledged support of government to the initiative.
He said, “all of us must join to make the initiative efficient, such that other states would copy from here.”
Fubara reiterated that security was key in state building and development, as according to him, “all of us must play a role, to have a state where we can sleep with our two eyes closed.”
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.