News
Between Civil Service And Retirement Benefits
The condition of service in the civil service is fashioned in a way that the retired civil servant is placed on pension on retirement. Although, if compared to the services at the corporate firms or enterprise, there are notable advantages and disadvantages. Interestingly, as the name implies the civil service and public service operated either as a ministry or parastatals under the federal government, state and local government administrations respectively. It is obvious that without the inputs of the civil servant, the government institution may not have been in existence and would have operated in a vacuum. Civil servants are not only those working directly at the seat of government or at its helm of affairs. For instance, retirement proceedings for those working in government house and its immediate establishments, are treated with urgency to actualise positive results for the affected civil servant. Without controversy, civil servants are the hubs on which the government operates. Both parties reciprocate one another in the discharge of functional activities to move the state forward. Conversely, the treatment accorded contemporaries of civil servants in corporate organisations at retirement is different, for instance, in the civil service, there are two categories of benefit on retirement namely, gratuity and pension. Truly, when a civil servant retires either through the required number of years or old age or death, the total amount of years of service are worked out and monetized paid once to the retiree, while pension continue thereafter for life. Ironically, a lot of retirees have not lived to enjoy the fruits of their labour, primarily because of unnecessary delay for the processing of retirement document even after the stipulated three months in lieu of notice. This ugly situation had led to the formation of Pension Associations in order to facilitate issues affecting the reitirees. Even the first retirement benefit that is the gratuity usually taken a long time to come by. The retiree under go perpetual agony for months or years before being paid the benefit. In the process, some had felt sick and died. At this point, it become more complex and of course, some Where along the line, some case(s) may go into oblivion if there is nobody to follow-up the matter to a logical conclusion. The counterpart in corporate companies enjoys quick attention in relation to the working of their gratuities without much pain. No wonder some civil servants question the rationale behind the delay in the government circle, about the quick release of their retirement benefits. In fact, with the trend of things, the state of the civil service appears bleak if this present recurring decimal continues unabated. It is pertinent that after retirement, the retiree could not accomplish or carry out any meaningful project due to delay in the payment of his/her right, probably at a time when he/she is psychologically, physiologically, socially and mentally incapacitated. However, one began to nurse negative feelings about the civil service, when greater percentage of the life span of a civil servant is spent serving the nation. Nevertheless, civil servants are a political element; however, they cannot be designated as active politicians, even when they rather are very supportive to the political institution. Certainly, during elections, seventy-five per cent of the total vote cast comes from civil servants but later relegated to the background. Summarily, it behoves one to beckon on both federal and state governments in particular to see the civil servants as instrument for the implementation of polices and civil servants who had worked to retirement age should be accorded high programmes of any government in power at federal, state and the third tier, and they should be accorded respect on the retirement. The modalities for the processing of the gratuity and pension benefits should be within the range of three months instead of the agony associated with the delay in releasing their retirement benefits. The welfare of civil servants should be handled with care and the urgency it requires, because they devoted life and energy to serve the nation irrespective of the meager remuneration, unlike their counterparts in corporate companies that receives fat pay as their monthly salary. This would gender them to achieve higher productive while still on active service. Philosophically, it is asserted, “One good turn deserves another.” Therefore, the younger generation are watching with kin interest, how their patriarchs are being treated to which may form major factor in their consideration to take up civil service job as future career. The three-tier government should expedite action now to curb the ugly situation facing retirees in this land flowing with milk and honey. The long history of delay in payment of gratuities, pension to duly retired civil servants should be fast tracked check minimum delay. Ominyanwa, a public affairs analyst, resides in Port Harcourt.
Goddy Ominyanwa
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.
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