Front Pix
No Faction In Rivers NLC -Itubo …Assures Workers Of Salary Payment Soon …FCMB Denies Paying Civil Servants March Salaries
The leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State chapter has said that there was no faction in the state congress of the labour movement.
Speaking to The Tide on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the state chairman of NLC, Comrade Beatrice Itubo said the congress was united in the state under her leadership as the elected state chairman of the NLC.
Itubo said NLC in the state has never been factionalised despite individuals’ perception and views on how the organized labour in the state should operate.
She said the NLC has 42 affiliated unions operating in the state, adding that during the state delegates conference of the congress held at Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt on April 23, 2015, 37 affiliate unions participated in the delegates conference, that elected her as the NLC state chairman.
The state NLC boss said only five affiliate unions abstained from participating in the delegates conference, and as such, the five affilaite unions cannot constitute a factional leadership in the state.
She explained that NLC under her leadership would promote the welfare of the workers through meaningful dialogue with relevant stakeholders that include employers and the state government.
Itubo said that it was not going to be business as usual with the organized labour movement in the state as she was ready to run a very transparent focused and open administration of the NLC in the state.
She called upon individuals having any factional tendency with the intention to create division and crisis in the state congress to shelve such intention and join forces with her leadership to move NLC forward in the state.
She urged workers in the state to support her leadership and the congress to chart more progressive agenda for them.
On the issue of delay in the salary payment of state workers for two months and pensioners allowances, she explained that the NLC and Joint Public Service Negotiating Council had met the secretary to the state government and the Accountant General to ensure that the two months outstanding salaries were paid without further delay.
She claimed that First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Zenith Bank had paid the state workers March salary, but that workers who receive salaries through ECO Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) were yet to receive their salaries, adding that the state government had explained that before May 11, 2015 all outstanding salaries would be paid.
Itubo said the orgainsed labour has given the state government the benefit of doubt on their commitment to ensure workers salaries and pensioners allowances were paid as promised.
She advised the workers to remain calm as the congress was not going to rest on its oars until the state workers were paid all their due salaries and allowances.
The NLC boss further explained that the congress would vigorously pursue the issue of non-promotion and release of promotion interviews already conducted for the various ministries and agencies of government.
She said workers’ welfare was a cardinal point of her leadership’s agenda in the state.
All efforts to speak with Comrade Addah Williams, who is purportedly claiming the factional chairman of NLC in the state proved abortive.
But in a reaction , an official of the FCMB, who spoke to The Tide on condition of anonymity denied that the bank has paid any March salary to the state workers who receive their salaries through the bank.
The official said the bank was not given the schedule of salaries for workers for March by the state government, and cannot pay any staff of the state government, without any formal directive from the government.
Front Pix
Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
Front Pix
We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
Front Pix
Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
-
Opinion3 days ago
Nigeria: Revisiting The Restructuring Issue
-
Rivers3 days ago
Commissioner Tasks Firms, Host Communities On Peace
-
Sports1 day ago
‘Belief Has Returned To Germany Ahead Euro 2024’
-
Editorial1 day ago
That Kyari’s Promise On PH Refinery
-
Oil & Energy3 days ago
Offer Incentives To Boost Oil, Gas Production, Academy Tells FG
-
News3 days ago
PDP Leader Assures Fubara Of Support
-
Nation3 days ago
Catholic General Assembly Expresses Concern Over Growing Insecurity In Taraba
-
News1 day ago
FG Threatens To Arrest Gumi Over Reckless Comments On Security