Rivers
Retirees To Get Benefits Before Leaving Service
Prospective retirees in the Rivers State Civil Service may soon heave a sigh of relief as efforts are in top gears to enable them get their retirement benefits before leaving the Service.
Head of Service, Barr Samuel LongJohn gave this indication at a meeting he held with the Management Committee of the One Stop Shop for Pension Matters, Permanent Secretaries, Directors of Administration and Pension Desk Officers in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the State Civil Service.
LongJohn who explained that the One Stop Shop for Pension Matters was set up to address the issue of delayed payment of retirement benefits, noted that in the present set up, all departments and agencies involved in the processing of pension documents are brought under one roof to fast track the documentation process.
He said that if everything worked out as planned, retirees would get their entitlements before leaving the Service, stressing that the bulk of the problem in the documentation process was the delay in getting a letter of retirement from the Civil Service Commission and other Agencies.
The Head of Service, therefore called for cooperation among all stakeholders, including prospective retirees who are expected to begin processing of their documents between six and three months to the commencement date of their retirement to enable them follow up while still in Service.
Barr LongJohn further pointed out that the essence of the initiative was to alleviate the difficulties encountered by retirees as well as have a seamless transition from the present Defined Benefit Scheme to the Contributory Pension Scheme.
While presenting a brief on the modus operandi of the One Stop Shop, the Chairman of the Management Committee, Dr Rogers Weli said the Shop, which has commenced operations, consists of relevant departments from the Establishment Bureau, the Ministry of Finance, Audit, Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Rivers State Post Primary Schools Board (RSPPSB), Rivers State Hospitals Management Board (RSHMB) and the Civil Service Commission.
Dr Rogers, who is also the Permanent Secretary in the Establishment, Training and Pension Bureau, said upon receipt of a copy of letter of retirement by the concerned MDA and appropriate documentation, the Pension Desk Officer will return the documents to the Shop for speedy action by the relevant departments and agencies.
He said with the cooperation of all staff the retiree would get a letter of authority for paymen within 30 to 60 days of commencement of documentation, Dr Rogers called for regular update of staff nominal rolls and appealed to Directors of Administration in the respective MDAs to notify Staff who are due for retirement to enable them apply for approval papers on time.
Enoch Epelle
Rivers
Cleric Hails Gov Fubara Over Award
A cleric in Rivers State and Resident Minister of the Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria, Nvigwe 1, Woji, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rev. Godswill Stewart has described the ‘Peace Advocate Award’ bestowed on Governor Siminalayi Fubara by Silverbird Communications Limited, as very deserving.
Speaking with newsmen recently in Woji Town on the quality leadership of the Governor, among other state and national issues, Stewart said, “Today, we note that the economic and social landscape of Rivers State have become positively transformed as the average citizens can go about their normal businesses without any fear of intimidation.
“The fact that you achieve this feat within such a short time is an eloquent testimony of your administrative acumen and love for the people of Rivers State”.
Reacting to the development, Stewart said: “I welcome the recognition of Governor Fubara’s resoluteness and uncompromising stance against ill-conceived mischief-making, and all forms of criminality that made life difficult for residents and businesses in the State.
“I note with commendation that there has not been a single attack by hitherto prowling gunmen or incident of killing of law enforcement agents or burning of police offices or the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) since the coming of the Fubara-led administration. Kudos to the courage and determination of one man, his team, and the commitment of the security agencies”.
However, Stewart called on the National Assembly and President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the decentralization of policing for people like Sir Siminalayi Fubara to do more.
“It is unfortunate that the successive efforts and campaigns on constitutional amendment bills to create state police fell on deaf ears. But as the kidnapping epidemic and widespread insecurity in various parts of Nigeria rightly shows that we can no longer run from the reality, which is what we have to revert to decentralised policing lest we all perish.
“Importantly, what Governor Fubara has done with the security of lives and property even within the constitutional constraints is a confirmation that his dispensation and other services in the State could do so much under a state police system in collaboration with the federal police and other security agencies,” Stewart said.
By: Bethel Toby
Rivers
IWD: Invest In Yourselves, Gov’s Wife Urges Women
The wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara has called on Rivers women and indeed all women to use the theme of 2024 International Women’s Day, ‘Count Her In: Invest In Women. Accelerate Progress’ to focus and pay more attention on themselves on how to better their lot by maximizing their potentials.
Speaking at an event organised by the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), a world class organisation with the United Nations ECOSOC special consultative status, for the official observance of this year’s Women’s Day at the White Jade Event Centre in Port Harcourt recently, Mrs Fubara noted that the Day’s theme was apt and timely and charged women to always uphold the deliberate act of investing in themselves, be it in furthering formal education, developing new skills set or learning a trade.
According to her,” women must endeavor to shun idleness, gossip, malingering and always find something positive and productive to do regardless of age, social and financial capabilities, you all have something to offer”.
The Governor’s wife, who was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Roseline Uranta had noted that everyone, irrespective of gender deserved a fair share of life, to let out their voices and be heard. Women, she said, have from time immemorial been great pillars in achieving remarkable heights in the society.
“The International Women’s Day therefore, is of important essence to celebrate all women for the roles they play in bringing, nurturing and sustaining life. It’s a day that provides us the platform to discuss women’s economic inclusion, limited participation in political and public life, lack of access to education for the girl-child, gender-based violence, child marriage, child trafficking, harmful cultural practices and other challenges facing women”.
“It’s a day, she continued, ‘ to reflect on the progressive achievement, an opportunity to call for change, to celebrate the acts of courage and every achievement made by ordinary women, who made extraordinary things”.
Mrs Fubara added that in order to achieve gender equality, which is one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations and one of the essence of Women’s Day, governments and society must ensure that the right responsibilities and opportunities of women do not elude them. Investing in women must be seen and taken as a human rights issue and considered as a social tool towards eradicating poverty.
The event which was organized by IAWPA to essentially celebrate women from different walks of life witnessed an impressive attendance by men, women, groups, corporate and social organisations.
Over 65 persons, including the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Rivers State First Lady, Mrs Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof Ngozi Odu and Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo were among those recognized with awards and received the class of 2024 Eminent Peace Ambassadors, Mayor of Peace and Justices of Peace appointments by IAWPA.
By: Gabriel Nwanetanya
Rivers
Court Adjourns Case Against Rivers Lawmakers To April
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, yesterday adjourned till April 22, 2024 for hearing, the suit , seeking the interpretation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), concerning the defection of the 26 Assembly members of the of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
When the matter was called up by the presiding Justice, Hon Justice Phoebe Ayua in suit No FHC/PH/CS/17/2024, the Counsel to the plaintiff, Alasime Olunywe Karibo (Esq), disclosed that the court graciously authorised them to reach the defendants through substituted service on the last sitting date of February 8, 2024.
Olunywe however, expressed regrets that the actual date of service execution was not clear.
He pointed out that such may be part of the reason why the defendants did not appear in court except that of the lawyer representating Governor Siminalayi Joseph Fubara.
The suit which came by originating summons was instituted by one Mr Athanicious Eneyo, a Rivers man against Hon Martins Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers in addition to Governor Siminalayi Fubura.
The suit is seeking to know among other things, whether or not by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), those lawmakers who defected from the PDP to the APC in Rivers State last December, can still be legitimately called members of the State Assembly vide Section 109.
Based on the issue of non-clarity of date, the court , however, promised to put the Plaintiff and Amaewhule on proper notice before the next adjourned date.
By: Kiadum Edookor
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