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VC Urges FG To Implement Policy On Modular Refineries
The Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Prof Okechukwu Onuchukwu has called on the Federal Government to show fairness to the people of the Niger Delta by going ahead to implement the policy on modular refineries as a way of encouraging economic growth, employment generation and increased productivity in the country.
He made the call while delivering a keynote address titled: “Insecurity and Economic Development in Nigeria”, during the memorial lecture organised by the Ikwerre Doctors’ Forum (IDF) at the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) House, East-West Road, Port Harcourt.
As a professor of economics, he opined that Nigerian Government has all it takes to take up the challenge of training Niger Delta youths who were willing and available to take up the artisan refinery project to make them useful to the society.
He recalled that it was by far better than using collective resources to pay for fuel subsidy which has never improved the economy but has become a mirage.
Onuchukwu said that it would be better to apply subsidy at the production stage as against the government’s decision to apply it at the consumption level.
“Subsidy is better in production than in consumption. Our boys are carrying arms, getting involved in societal vices. However, some have been found themselves into artisan refinery. If you try to find out how much our government has put in fighting crimes, you would see the reason to apply economic policies to salvage the system.
“Why can’t we refine our oil by ourselves? Why can’t we queue up and improve on our livelihoods? Why can’t we stop the western economic patronage and build what is exactly ours to be managed by ourselves?”
He maintained that we experience bad government because those who mount the office of leadership of the country were corrupt, and wondered why some ethnic groups were made to look superior to others.
The university lecturer compared the gold that is being mined in Zamfara State to the oil in the Niger Delta, and maintained that the Federal Government has never been fair to the people of the Niger Delta.
He sued for an all-inclusive policy on fairness for all Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic group or region.
“I am not saying that ‘Kpo fire’ is the best but I am saying that we can improve upon what the boys are doing. There must be a conscious effort to improve on what they are doing. We can put them into co-operatives, hence improve on it.”
On the contrary, the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, Prof Emenike Wami, condemned, in totality, the idea of modular refineries and that of “Kpo fire”, and maintained that both were never better options and should not be one.
According to him, the Nigerian Government has no better option than to build and maintain standard refineries for optimum production.
He was reacting while responding to questions from journalists who were at the event.
Wami argued that crude oil production was by far better in larger quantities than in smaller quantities, and warned that anyone trying to experiment crude oil production through the establishment of modular refineries for small scale production was making a grave mistake.
“Kpo fire’ is not viable option and modular refinery is also not viable. Both are not the answer to the problem. I am a petroleum engineer by profession with over 40 years standing. I am telling you that both are not viable options because it is not economical to refine petroleum in a small quantity. If you refine one barrel of crude oil using ‘kpo fire,’ you will not get N10 profit. The way forward is for the Federal Government to build and maintain or rehabilitate our refineries,” he maintained.
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.