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NLC Lists Dangers Of Oil Subsidy Removal

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The proposed removal of oil subsidy by the Federal Government will encourage the adulteration of petroleum products in the country, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Delta State, Mr Mike Akusu,  has said.

Akusu told newsmen in Asaba yesterday that with the removal of subsidy, dealers of petroleum products would want to make more gains by adulterating the products.

He said that the subsidy removal would also push the country back to the era of “non-availability” of the products, with escalating prices.

The NLC chairman further said that the removal of the subsidy would cause unemployment.

He explained that the common man, especially artisans, who depended on such products to power their generators, would no longer afford the products.

“And that will consequently result in increase in criminality, mass unemployment and inflation in the prices of other goods in the market.”

Akusu advised the Federal Government to take into consideration the adverse effects of its policies on the populace before implementation.

In his reactions to the proposed fuel subsidy removal, Dr John Nwachokor, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Delta chapter, said “it will only help in enriching politicians”.

He complained that even the 13 per cent derivation fund to oil producing states in the country had not been well-utilised.

Nwachokor said that more than half of the benefiting states had no developmental structures on ground to show for what they received.

He accused the government of some of the benefiting states of diverting the funds, rather than using it for the development of the states.

Also reacting, a commercial motorcyclist, Mr Chukwujindu Anozia, appealed to the Federal Government not to remove the oil subsidy.

He said “the current status of availability of petroleum products and at pump price is the best gift any president can give to the country.’’

He commended late President Umar Yar’Adua “for his foresight in subsidising petroleum products to ameliorate the hardships of the people.”

He also appealed to President GoodLuck Jonathan to maintain the status quo.

Another commercial motorcyclist, Mr David Eluaka, said that the removal of subsidy would cause more hardship in the nation.

He said, “it will amount to going back to the days of petroleum products users spending nights at filling stations just to get products.”

He appealed to the Federal Government to always work toward enhancing the living conditions of its citizenry rather than making them worse.

Meanwhile, Some Islamic leaders on Tuesday described the planned removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government as ill-timed, given the prevalent climate of unemployment, poverty and bad infrastructure in the country.

The leaders spoke in separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos.

Alhaji Lateef Okunnu, President, Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, said the planned removal was a very delicate issue that would expose Nigerians to more hardship.

“The removal is ill-timed and unnecessary because it would make Nigerians pay more for fuel and other goods and services under a climate of unemployment, bad infrastructure and poverty,’’ he told newsmen.

Okunnu, a former Federal Commissioner for Works, said that the cost of governance— which he noted had been too high— should be reduced at the expense of fuel subsidy.

“The cost of governance is artificially high and if it is reduced very well, funds saved would be used in executing more capital projects,’’ he said.

The Islamic leader urged the Federal Government to reduce the allowances and salaries of legislators, which he claimed was too high.

He also advised the government to reduce the number of Ministers and Advisers, saying there were only 12 Federal Commissioners who performed the role of Ministers when he served and that they did not perform badly.

“Even the developed economies do not have large numbers of Ministers like ours. We were 12 Ministers then and we did not perform badly, ‘’ he said.

Prof. Tajudeen Gbadamosi, a retired don at the University of Lagos, described the planned removal as “unfortunate”.

“It is unfortunate that such removal could be brought at a time when Nigerians are just getting off the trauma of violence,’’ he said.

Gbadamosi said that removal of the subsidy would be very harsh on the people, alluding that it was ill-timed and unnecessary.

“It is a misplaced priority that needs not be introduced at a time when the issue of minimum wage , militancy, violence, poverty and bad infrastructure are yet to be resolved,’’ Gbadamosi explained.

The Federal Government had recently announced its plan to remove fuel subsidy from 2012 as part of reforms to salvage the economy.

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Ibas Inaugurates RSIEC, Service Commissions, Healthcare Board In Rivers  …Charges Appointees To Embrace Principles Of Service 

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The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, has charged newly appointed Board members to uphold the highest standards of discipline, competence, integrity, and unwavering dedication in their service to the State.

 

He emphasized that such commitment is critical to stabilizing governance, restoring democratic institutions, and advancing the principles of good governance in the State.

 

 

 

This was contained in a statement by the Administrator’s Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo on Monday.

 

 

 

Ibas issued the charge on Monday while inaugurating the reconstituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, and the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board at Government House, Port Harcourt.

 

 

 

The Administrator urged the new appointees to embrace their roles with diligence, patriotism, and a commitment to transforming Rivers State through excellent service.

 

 

 

Addressing the Chairman and members of RSIEC, Ibas underscored their pivotal role in ensuring credible local government elections that reflect the will of the people.

 

 

 

“Your task is clear but demanding: to conduct free, fair, transparent, and credible elections at the grassroots level. You must resist bias, favoritism, and external interference while restoring public confidence in the electoral process,” he stated.

 

 

 

“The independence of your actions is crucial to sustaining peace, stability, and grassroots governance. I urge you to act with fairness, impartiality, and professionalism—even in the face of difficult choices,” Ibas added.

 

 

 

The Sole Administrator also charged the Rivers State Civil Service Commission on the need to eliminate mediocrity and foster a culture of excellence through merit-based recruitment, training, and promotions.

 

 

 

“The civil service must transition from favoritism to competence, integrity, and accountability. Your commission will lead reforms, including digital transformation and standardized practices across ministries, departments, and agencies,” he said.

 

 

 

He disclosed that extensive training programmes are underway, with a committee set up to overhaul the public service framework for greater efficiency.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Ibas urged the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission to ensure professionalism and discipline in local government administration.

 

 

 

“As the closest tier of government to the people, you must drive reforms that insulate the system from politics and mediocrity. Your mandate includes merit-based recruitment, training, and enforcing standards for effective service delivery,” he stated.

 

 

 

In the same vein, the Administrator charged the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board with revitalizing healthcare delivery across the state’s 23 local government areas.

 

 

 

“Primary healthcare is the foundation of a sustainable health system. Your board must ensure facilities are adequately staffed, equipped, and operational focusing on maternal health, immunization, malaria control, and community health services,” he said.

 

 

 

He emphasized data-driven operations, incentives for rural health workers, and restoring the referral system to improve healthcare access.

 

 

 

He also assured the Board of sustained government support, including funding, for the effective discharge of their mandates but warned that board members would be held accountable for their performance.

 

 

 

The newly inaugurated members include: RSIEC: Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey (Chairman) with Prof. Arthur Nwafor, Prof. Joyce Akaninwor, and others as members.

 

 

 

Civil Service Commission: Dr. Livinus Bariki (Chairman), Amb. Lot Egopija, Mrs. Maeve Bestman, and others.

 

 

 

Local Govt. Service Commission: Mr. Isreal Amadi (Chairman), Rear Adm. Emmanuel Ofik (Rtd), Dr. Tonye Pepple, and others.

 

 

 

Primary Health Care Board: Dr. Dawari George (Chairman), Dr. Chituru Adiele (Executive Director), Prof. Kaladada Korubo, and representatives from key ministries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rivers PDP Debunks Sale Of LGA Election Forms

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The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Dr. Kenneth Yowika, has debunked claims that the party has commenced sale of forms for chairmanship and councillorship elections across the 23 local government areas of the state.

 

Yowika made the rebuttal in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, describing the publication on the social media as baseless and untrue.

 

He urged members of the PDP to disregard the claim, saying that official communication regarding the sale of forms would be disclosed through the appropriate channels.

 

“With reference to information trending on social media, it has been falsely claimed that the sale of forms for Chairmanship and Councillorship elections in the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State will begin soon.

 

“However, the party has firmly denied these rumours, stating that they are baseless and untrue.

 

“The party has its own established methods of reaching out to its numerous supporters.

 

“The People’s Democratic Party, a law-abiding organisation, will patiently await the release of guidelines from the recently inaugurated Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) before considering any sale of election forms.

 

“The PDP is urging its members to remain calm as official communication regarding the sale of forms will be disclosed through appropriate channels,” the statement read.

 

Enoch Epelle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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South-South contributes N34trn to Nigeria’s economy in 2024 – Institute

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Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), has stated that the South-South region contributes N34 trillion to country’s economy in 2024.

He made the remark at the South-South Zonal Banking and Finance Conference in Calabar, yesterday.

He spoke on the theme, ‘’Building An Inclusive South-South: Economic Diversification as a Catalyst For Development.’’

Olanrewaju, who quoted the data from the Cable Data Index, said the feat was more than 21 per cent of Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The president described the growth as ‘’ impressive,’’ saying that it was not driven by oil alone but significant expansions in trade, services, and the creative industries.

According to him, to fully harness this potential, coordinated financial, technological, and policy support is essential.

“As we work to reposition the South-South for broad-based prosperity, the financial system must play a central role, not merely as a source of capital, but as a catalyst for innovation, ideas incubation, and inclusive economic growth.

“This conference, therefore, provides a strategic opportunity for stakeholders to reimagine the South-South economy, not merely as a resource belt, but as a region of diverse capabilities and resilient enterprises.”

Olanrewaju added that Nigeria must move beyond old models and chart a new course for the development of the South-South region, where financial institutions and stakeholder collaborate to diversify the economy for shared prosperity.

He,  however, commended Gov. Bassey Otu for his pledge of land for CIBN Secretariat in Cross River and being the first sitting governor to willingly undergo and complete the Chartered Bankers Programme.

On his part, Gov. Otu said that the conference discussion on the economic diversification in South-South region was timely against the backdrop of global trade and economic volatility that was affecting the nation’s economy.

Represented by his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, Otu said the South-South region must now act with urgency to diversify its economy while leveraging its shared natural endowment in agriculture and extractive resources.

“This conference must help develop tailored financial solutions that reflect the unique strengths and realities of states like Cross River in the south-south.

“Diversification should be evidence-based and must be backed not just by financial advice but project focused financing and real investment support,” he noted.

He said that Cross River had taken the bold step to invest in its agricultural sector by launching an Agro processing hub.

Otu further said that the state had invested in aviation by acquiring more aircrafts for Cally Air, construction of the Bakassi Deep Seaport and injecting N18 billion in its tourism sector.

Similarly, Mr Tolefe Jibunoh, Cross River Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that the region was blessed with natural resources, cultural diversities and immense human potentials.

Jibunoh, who was represented by Mr Segun Shittu, Head, Currency Control Office, CBN, Calabar, noted that strategic diversification could unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth in the region.

He added that the CBN remained steadfast to maintain monetary possibilities and promote a sound financial system as a catalyst for sustainable economic development for the benefit of all.

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