By David Owei,Bayelsa

A Niger Delta Youth Leader, Mr. Douye Karikarisei has described the sterling performance of the Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku led Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in the region as a true reflection of the President Bola Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda. Mr Douye Karikarisei said among the intervention agencies and MDAs set up by the Federal Government, the present NDDC has emerged the most effective with Renewed Hope Agenda interpreted through visible projects, infrastructures, empowerment and giving the people in communities across the region a sense of belonging.

Mr. Douye Karikarisei, who made this known at the weekend in Port Harcourt, while felicitating with the Managing Director of the NDDC, Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as he marks 50 years of age on Tuesday 19th August 2025, said the unparallel and distinguished performance of the Dr. Ogbuku led commission in the region has made it easier for the President to prevail across the region in the forthcoming 2027 Presidential elections.

Karikarisei commended the Ogbuku led NDDC for the recent commissioning of projects and infrastructure across the different states of the region, including the 27.5-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road, constructed in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, “The road, with seven bridges and 50 culverts, connects 14 communities in Bayelsa State.”

The NDDC also commissioned the 6km Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang Road and 600m Ibeno Bridge in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, as well as the 9km Obehie-Oke-Ikpe Road in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State. In the area of electricity, the NDDC commissioned the 45-km double-circuit 33KV feeder line from Omotosho Power Station to Okitipupa in Ondo State, “This electrification project supplies light to the 25 local governments that have been in darkness for over 15 years.”

“The Dr. Ogbuku led commission also inaugurated the 1×15MVA 33/11KV electricity injection substation in Amufi, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area in Benin City, Edo State.” “As part of the “Light-Up-Niger Delta” strategy, the commission has displayed a high sense of inclusion by mobilising youths, community leaders and Women groups to participate in the allocation of solar lights projects across their various communities.”

“Thousands of youths from the region are being trained in Nigeria and in prestigious institutions around the world by the Dr. Ogbuku led commission to acquire the technological know-how for the future development of the region and country. Also, several empowerment programmes are frequently rolled out to empower both the youths and the elderly across the region.”

“For the first time in the history of the Niger Delta region, solar lights have powered thousands of streets and roads that were once in darkness and had claimed hundreds of innocent lives through deadly accidents. Dr. Ogbuku’s visionary leadership has renewed the hope of millions of people across the region,” the statement reads.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Governor Ademola Adeleke has again reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustain security services through the budgetary process, declaring “under my watch, we don’t operate security votes in the sense Nigerians understand it”

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Governor said Osun has no slush fund which many Nigerians regard as ‘security votes’, noting that our expenditure on security services are undertaken within the confines of the public finance law and regulations.

He listed such security expenditures as operational support for security agencies operating in the state, ; funding of operations to quell communal crises; support for communal peace activities and funding of the state security outfit, Amotekun among others.

Such expenditures, the Governor posited further, are processed within the context of statutory approval process which involves raising of memos and compliance with government payment process.

“I am proud to declare that the Osun state government under my watch does not operate a slush fund that our media friends call security votes. Our security needs are met through the approval process. I face resistance over the policy but I stick to it even at great cost.

“My motivation for insisting on the policy was the situation I met on the ground in November 2022. I believe Osun needs every kobo to meet her numerous developmental challenges. Our earnings from FAAC allocations and internally generated revenues are channeled to key sectoral projects from infrastructure to agriculture to health among others.

“We also target payment of workers’ emolument, pensions and outstanding salary debt. We maintain a delicate balance on expenditure across human and infra sectors and within less than three years, we have good records widely verified by local and national stakeholders”, the Governor submitted.

The Governor said his administration demonstrated foresight early enough when it created a special project account where unexpected inflow from FAAC are saved, pointing out that the initiative is a shock absorber and a smart way to ensure completion of ongoing infra projects in the state.

While expecting early resolution of the Osun local government fund seizure, Governor Adeleke was quoted as reassuring Osun people and other stakeholders that his administration remains focussed and committed to completing its human and capital projects on schedule.

By Our Correspondent

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to refund the alleged diverted workers’ funds from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and immediately constitute the Governing Board of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM).

The organized labour further warned in a communiqué issued after its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Abuja yesterday that failure to act immediately on the demands would lead to a nationwide strike action.

The which was presided over by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the meeting x-trayed the disturbing issues affecting Nigerian workers, the trade union movement, and the state of the nation.

The communique of the meeting reads: “The Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) met on Wednesday, 13th August 2025, to deliberate on urgent issues affecting Nigerian workers, the trade union movement, and the Nigerian people at large. The meeting considered the festering leadership crisis in the Edo State Council of the NLC, alarming developments in the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), and the governance vacuum in the National Pension Commission (PENCOM)}, alongside the broader state of the nation.

“After exhaustive deliberations, the CWC resolved as follows:

“Edo State Council Leadership Crisis The CWC reviewed the situation in the Edo State Council and ratified the decision to dissolve the State Administrative Council over acts of unethical behaviour, antiunion conduct, and violations of the NLC Constitution. The meeting approved the constitution of a Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the Council until fresh elections are conducted. The CWC reaffirmed that discipline, internal democracy, and accountability remain non-negotiable pillars of the labour movement.

“Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) The CWC expressed outrage at the ongoing assault on workers’ social protection rights through the Federal Government’s diversion of 40% of workers’ contributions to the national coffers as “revenue”, in flagrant violation of the statutes establishing the NSITF.

“Equally condemnable is the new Administration’s false claim of ownership of the NLC National Headquarters, a property owned by Nigerian workers, resort to Cyber and media-bullying of the trade unions and leadership coupled with covert moves to amend the NSITF Act in a manner that would disenfranchise workers and give government full control over the funds. The CWC warns that these actions represent a direct attack on workers’ rights, hard-earned resources, and the principle of tripartite governance enshrined in international labour standards.

“The Congress affirms that the NSITF belongs to the Nigerian working class and will mobilise all legitimate means,to ensure workers’ interests are protected.

“National Pension Commission (PENCOM) The CWC noted with grave concern the non-constitution of the Governing Board of the National Pension Commission, in contravention of the PENCOM Act and other statutes. This unlawful vacuum has allowed government to solely superintend over the pension funds contributed by workers and employers, stripping away the statutory tripartite oversight and increasing the risk of mismanagement and political interference.

“The CWC reiterates that pension funds are deferred wages, not state revenue, and demands the immediate constitution of the Board in full compliance with the law.

“State of the Nation The CWC reviewed the deepening economic crisis marked by runaway inflation, joblessness, hunger, insecurity, and the collapse of public services, all aggravated by anti-people neoliberal policies. The Congress warns that unless Nigeria adopts a people-centred development path anchored on public ownership of strategic sectors, living wages, industrial revival, and social protection, the majority of citizens will remain trapped in poverty while the ruling elite continues in opulence.

“The CWC resolved to: 1) Enforce strict compliance with the NLC Constitution in all State Councils, with zero tolerance for indiscipline. 2) Ratify the dissolution of the State Administrative Council of NLC in Edo state and the setting up of a Caretaker Committee. 3) Mobilise workers across the country to defend workers’ contributions in the NSITF and pension funds from government expropriation. 4) Demand the immediate constitution of the PENCOM Governing Board in line with the law.

“To this end, the CWC-in-session hereby directs: @) The NSITF must account for and return all diverted funds within seven (7) working days from today. b) The PENCOM Board must be properly constituted in full compliance with the law within seven (7) working days from today. ce) The Pension Commission to submit to the NLC full status report of the funds within this same period. d) If at the end of this Seven (7) working days, nothing is done, NLC will no longer guarantee Industrial peace in the Sector”.