The Ogbobiri Asawo of the Jumbo Major House in Grand Bonny Kingdom has condemned the death of Mr Ernest Jabez Oko Jumbo at the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) plant in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, demanding an immediate and transparent investigation into the incident.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Eric Rogas Jumbo, and Media and Communications Officer, Comrade Godswill Lawson Jumbo, the group described the incident as shocking and deeply painful.

According to the statement, the deceased, a supervisor with Amaidiem, reportedly died on Thursday, May 21, 2026, while carrying out official duties at the NLNG site.

The organisation expressed concern that the incident occurred barely one month after another member of the family allegedly lost his life under similar circumstances at the same facility.

“This tragedy comes barely a month after another member of our family lost his life in a similar incident at the same site. Two sons lost in quick succession, from the same location, under circumstances that are yet to be fully explained,” the statement said.

The group condemned what it described as recurring loss of lives at the facility, insisting that the safety of workers must not be treated with disregard.

“We condemn this recurring loss of life in the strongest terms. It is unacceptable, and the Jumbo Major House Ogbobiri Asawo will not stand by while the lives of our people are treated with disregard,” it added.

The group extended condolences to the family of the deceased and called on NLNG, security agencies, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders to launch an independent investigation into the incident.

It warned against any attempt to suppress facts surrounding the death, stressing that accountability must prevail.

The organisation also appealed to aggrieved family members and residents to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that necessary steps were being taken to ensure justice.

“The Ogbobiri Asawo will not relent until the circumstances surrounding both incidents are fully investigated and those responsible are held accountable. The safety and dignity of our sons working in these facilities are non-negotiable,” the statement added.
The group said it would continue to update the public as developments unfold.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and merit in the selection of beneficiaries for its Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship Programme, revealing that 5,986 candidates scaled through the computer-based test (CBT) stage out of 12,277 applicants.

Speaking during an assessment visit to the scholarship interview venue in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, assured stakeholders that the selection process remained free of bias, compromise and favoritism.

Represented by the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr Patience Ezugu, Ogbuku commended members of the interview panel for conducting what he described as a seamless exercise without complaints from candidates.

According to him, the scholarship selection process has consistently produced outstanding beneficiaries who have excelled in their respective fields abroad.

“The students who benefited from the scholarship scheme in previous years recorded distinctions in their various fields of study, and we have not received any criminal or negative reports about them,” he said.

The Commission disclosed that after the CBT stage, 2,492 candidates were shortlisted for the oral interview phase, from which successful applicants would emerge for the overseas postgraduate scholarship award.

Director of Education, Dr Awele Chukwudifu, noted that the computer-based examination process enhanced credibility because candidates saw their scores immediately after completing the tests.

“As soon as the computer-based exams are concluded, the scores pop up instantly for candidates to see, which demonstrates transparency and integrity,” she said.

She added that beneficiaries of the scholarship would be encouraged to return and deploy their acquired knowledge toward the development of the Niger Delta region.

Chairman of the interview panel and lecturer at Niger Delta University, Prof. Beleudanyo Fente, praised the NDDC for sustaining an initiative aimed at improving educational opportunities for youths in the region.

Fente assured that the panel remained committed to selecting only the most qualified candidates, insisting there was no room for compromise in the exercise.

The consultant for the scholarship programme, Chief Godson Ideozu, described the process as dependable and hitch-free since its commencement.

He disclosed that out of the 12,277 applicants, 5,986 candidates passed the CBT stage, while 2,492 advanced to the oral interview stage. He added that successful candidates would later be invited for a departure briefing.

One of the candidates, Mrs Akindoyeni Oluwabukunmi, described the process as transparent and satisfactory, noting that the scholarship would help her acquire knowledge and skills needed to contribute meaningfully to the development of the Niger Delta region.

The Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) has partnered with WasteWise Inc Ltd to launch a technology-driven waste collection system aimed at improving sanitation and reducing indiscriminate refuse disposal across the state.

The initiative, unveiled on Tuesday, also opened onboarding for Private Service Providers (PSPs), waste evacuators and vendors operating within Rivers State.

Managing Director of RIWAMA, Dr. Ibimina Wokoma, said the new digital system would formalise waste collection operations and phase out unregulated refuse handlers.

According to him, the initiative is designed to tackle indiscriminate dumping on road medians, canals and waterways while improving environmental monitoring across Port Harcourt and neighbouring local government areas.

“A waste collector is now just a call away,” Wokoma stated.

He explained that the WasteWise platform uses real-time data to optimise collection routes and ensure efficient service delivery, especially in hard-to-reach areas inaccessible to larger trucks.

“Where bigger trucks cannot access, licensed PSPs can reach those areas by design,” he added.

Wokoma further disclosed that the digital onboarding process would enable RIWAMA to monitor waste movement from households to designated environmentally managed dumpsites, thereby preventing illegal diversion and supporting data generation for recycling initiatives.

Founder of WasteWise Inc Ltd and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Hagion International Ltd, Afekemor O. Gift, said the project would encourage separation of recyclable materials at source through trained PSPs.

He noted that the approach would not only prolong the lifespan of dumpsites but also provide raw materials for local recycling industries.
Gift added that vendors participating in the scheme would receive training on environmentally sustainable waste management practices capable of creating green jobs.

Chief Operating Officer of WasteWise Inc Ltd, Ikiriko Prosper Pepple, said the “call-away” waste collection model would help prevent refuse from accumulating for days in residential areas.

According to him, quicker waste evacuation would reduce methane emissions, curb the spread of disease vectors and minimise flooding caused by blocked drainage systems.

Wokoma said the partnership aligns with the environmental sustainability vision of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, aimed at restoring the state’s Garden City status through modern infrastructure and cleaner urban management.