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HOS Explains Xmas Gifts, Flays Reports
The Rivers State Head of Service (HOS), Mrs Esther Anucha, has urged civil servants and the general public to disregard unsavoury reports published in some newspapers in the state aimed at tarnishing her hard earned reputation.
Mrs Anucha stated this yesterday at a meeting with staff of the office of the Head of Service held at the conference hall, Point Hall Block, Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt.
The Head of Service, who used the forum to formally announce her statutory retirement from the service in September this year, recounted the series of negative reports dating back to the year 2010 when it was falsely reported that she had been suspended by the governor for allegedly embezzling N1million gift given to each civil servant in the state.
Recently, another report of monies for Christmas hampers and falsification of age documents were dangled to embarrass, malign and discredit her.
Mrs Anucha described the report as malicious and wicked, and wondered where on earth such things had happened before, that a governor would leave important projects to be executed which would benefit the masses to give N1million each to 55,000 civil servants who were on the payroll of government at that time, which would have amounted to a whopping N55billion.
The Head of Service, who said it was necessary to clarify these issues, pointed out that most of the local newspapers that published such false stories were not registered and had no fixed address, noting that she directed her lawyer to file a court action on the criminal and malicious publications but neither the address of the newspapers nor the publishers could be located.
On the alleged embezzlement of N175million meant for Christmas hampers to civil servants, the Head of Service explained that when the governor directed her to organise a party for workers as a platform to apologise for the delay in the payment of November and December, 2011 salaries, she suggested that a little purse be presented to them as well for Christmas hampers, considering the Yuletide season.
She said a committee comprising Permanent Secretaries, directors and members of labour unions including the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council was set up to plan for the party and a memo was submitted with a proposal for cash gift and the governor in his wisdom, graciously approved N5,000 each, noting that the records were available for anyone to cross-check.
On the age falsification report, Mrs Auncha said, “ I started work in the Governor’s Office and by the grace of God, I am retiring from the same office. My records are there in the civil service commission and in all the MDAs I had worked. I have worked in the schools board, the Ministries of Education, Transport, Agriculture and in all these MDAs, my records are there for anyone to cross check”.
She said the state governor was very pleased with her office for successfully reducing the staff strength from 55,000 staff paid between 2008 and 2010 to 47,000 being paid presently, at the conclusion of the staff biometric exercise.
She thanked the staff for their cooperation without which, what had been achieved would not have been possible, and called for their continued prayers.
In their separate responses, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare, Mr Lambert Ekwueme, the Director, Computer Department, Mr Ernest Chap-Jumbo and chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants, Mr Jonas Okere condemned the erroneous publications and their sponsors; describing the development as unfortunate and outrageous’, and expressed their continued commitment, royalty and support to the Head of Service.
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.