The Nigeria Civil Service Union
(NCSU) last Friday inaugurated its newly elected unit executive members drawn
from all the ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Rivers State, as
the union played host to powerful labour leaders who came from far and near.

The Special Adviser to Delta State
Governor on Labour,  Industrial Relations
and National Vice President of NCSU, Comrade Mike Okeme attended colourful and
historic ceremony.

The rivers State Vice Chairman of
the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Prince Addah Williams led other
chairmen and chairpersons of various industrial unions across the state to add
grace to the occasion.

The newly appointed Rivers State
Head of Service was represented at the occasion by Sir (Dr.) Ekett Simeon Abbey
of the Ministry of Establishment while the Auditor-General of the Local
Government Audit, Mr. Gregory  Anyanwu
was equally present.

In his address, the state chairman
of NCSU, Comrade O.T. Lilly-West recalled the crisis that once rocked the union
during the administration of the erstwhile chairman of the body, Comrade Menele
Nzidee and how his detractors had without success attempted to discredit his
person and integrity.

Lilly-West, however, noted that his
administration had weathered the storm, by dint of perseverance, courage and
tenacity of purpose” and successfully “laid a foundation which neither timely
nor circumstances that could be able to uproot”. He urged the newly elected
unit executives to take their destinies in their own hands by being steadfast,
focused, dedicated and resilient in discharge of their duties.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to
Delta State Governor on Labour and Industrial Relations, Comrade Mike Okeme
enjoined the unit officers to partner with the state government in addressing
problems of the state while stressing the need for humility and dedication to
service.

Okeme, also  the National Vice President of NCSU in the
south-south zone commended the members for the seed of love existing among them
and urged them to be part of the solutions of the problems plaguing the union
and the state.

He regretted the crisis that rocked
the union in the state, and urged the detractors of Lilly-West to retrace their
steps, assuring that he would never abandon NCSU in the state.

On his part, the representative of
the State Head of Service, Sir (Dr.) Ekett Simeon Abbey commended Comrade
Lilly-West for his doggedness, describing him as a champion of a cause.

He, however, stressed the need for
the unit officers to subject themselves to the rules and regulations of the
civil service in the state in the discharge of their duties, and urged them to
always work hard.

The state vice chairman of the
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Prince Addah Williams harped on unity of
purpose among the unit officers so as to keep those he described as
infiltrators at bay.

Former state chairman of the union,
Comrade Longi David Amah harped on loyalty and selfless service, and expressed
delight that Comrade Lilly-West had restored hope and vibrancy to the union.

The state chairman of the judiciary
staff union of Nigeria, Comrade George Sokari urged the unit officers to keep
the flag of the union flying.

Responding on behalf of the unit
officers, chairman of the civil service commission unit of the union, Comrade
Karibi Asawo thanked the leadership of the union for the opportunity offered
them to serve, and assured that the executives would diligently serve the
union.

The highpoint of the event was the
administration of oath of office on the elected unit executives by the
Assistant Secretary of the union, Comrade Abiye Tarikabo under the supervision
of Comrade Mike Okeme.

Donatus Ebi