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Civil Service Comm Lists Gains Of 41st Annual Confab
The Chairman, Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Chief Ngo Martyns-Yellowe, has said that the just-concluded summit of civil service commissions across the country held in Port Harcourt has laid bare the monumental gains of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda.
Speaking in an interview with The Tide last Friday, Martyns-Yellowe said much has been achieved in the education, health, power, transport, information and communication technology (ICT), works and oil and gas sector reforms under the transformation initiative, adding that the civil service has been the elixir and the lubricating factor in this process.
To further realise the vision of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, Martyns-Yellowe noted that the civil service chiefs across the nation have resolved to deploy every resources available to enhance the government’s ability to meet set targets in policy implementation and projects execution.
He noted that such resolve included the decision of civil service commissions in both the 36 states and the Federal Capital Commission to liaise with the Federal Civil Service Commission, as a matter of policy, on all issues of common interest.
According to him, both the federal and state civil service commissions have agreed to deepen and sustain the various reforms being undertaken by government in order to have an effective and efficient civil service, which would provide quality service delivery to the people.
Martyns-Yellowe stated that the conference’s position to push for the introduction of performance contracting to replace the current promotion examination in conformity with global best practices was necessary to move the nation forward, adding that it was for this reason that they suggested the experimentation of the process in some ministries.
He explained that the commissions’ low funding profile was worrisome as it helps in impeding the pace of project delivery across the country, and called for proper funding and sufficient budgetary provisions to enable the commissions execute their constitutional mandate effectively.
According to him, the conference has recommended that only persons with public service antecedents should be appointed as members of the state civil service commissions as it obtains at the federal civil service.
The commission’s boss noted that the conference had called for the motivation of staff of civil service commissions across the country by payment of not lower than 25 per cent of their monthly basic salary.
He stressed that the ambiguity in the interpretation of sections 153, 158 and 170 of the 1999 Constitution was affecting the performance of the civil service, and urged the ad-hoc committee set up to examine the provisions in relation to the functions of the commissions to fast track its assignment in order to enhance service delivery.
Martyns-Yellowe stated that there was need for systematic and intensive training and retraining for the development of officers to improve their capacities in the discharge of their duties, adding that permanent secretaries of the state civil service commissions should benefit from training and retraining programmes designed for federal permanent secretaries.
He said the conference had recommended that permanent secretaries from all state civil service commissions should meet bi-annually to assess the level of implementation and impact of decisions taken at the annual conference, adding that the next conference of the commissions would hold in Delta State in 2013.
Nelson Chukwudi
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene