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‘RSG Addressing Complaints Over Pension Law’
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says the state government is looking into the complaints associated with the pension law with a view to come out with a position that will ameliorate the present fears and hardship being faced by civil servants in the state.
Wike stated this while speaking at the 2017 New Year Thanksgiving /Dedication Service of the Rivers State Civil Service at the Secretariat Complex, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, the governor also said laws relating to the civil service are being reviewed to eliminate the hardship on civil servants in the state.
Describing the theme of this year’s Thanksgiving, “Loyalty in Service”, as very appropriate and relevant to the requirement of the civil service, the governor noted the significance of starting the New Year with thanksgiving and total dedication to the Almighty God.
Wike opined that the State Government would remain committed to the welfare, progress and efficiency of the state civil service, noting that it is for this reason that salaries and pensions are being paid regularly to workers and retirees.
He however regretted that while efforts are being made to meet the yearnings and aspirations of workers in the state, many civil servants are not committed to their duties as they consistently absent themselves and report late to work as well as engage in other corrupt tendencies that tend to run down the civil service.
He urged them to reciprocate the goodwill of the government towards the civil service and redefine their attitude to work in tandem with the 2017 New Year Thanksgiving/Dedication Service by doing what is right always to uplift the civil service and wished civil servants a prosperous and gallant civil service Year.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Chief Oris Onyiri stressed the need for civil servants to be loyal, dedicated and devoted to service, pointing out that workers in the state civil service who want to further their education are now being granted study leave with pay to enhance their productivity.
Onyiri reminded civil servants that as an important agent of service to God and humanity, they should render diligent and dedicated Service to actualize the policies and programmes of government for the people of the state.
In their goodwill messages, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji-Ibani and the State Chief Judge, Justice A. I. Iyayi-Lamikanra represented by Justice Adolphus Enebeli urged civil servants to strive to make things work for the State, by being dedicated and loyal in the discharge of their duties, and enjoined them not to play politics with the rules of the service.
In his exhortation, the Guest Preacher, Dr. Steve Ogan, who spoke on the theme “Loyalty in Service” identified faithfulness, determination, devotion, dedication, allegiance, fidelity and ultimate sacrifice as key elements that should be the guiding principles of civil servants in the discharge of their duties.
He noted that the soul of Rivers State was under threat by the agent of darkness but expressed delight that God had used Governor Wike to restore the State because according to him “Rivers State is a Holy ground” urging non-indigenes living and doing business in the state not to take the hospitable disposition of the State for an insult.
The clergyman called on civil servants in the state to shun all acts of corruption and dishonesty, and imbibe the virtues of servant leadership, contending that loyalty is indispensable in the civil service as the engine room of Government.
Earlier, the Head of the State Civil Service, Mr. Rufus Godwins, said as part of the New Rivers vision of Governor Nyesom Wike, the present administration is committed to enthroning an ethical civil service that is efficient and effective in its service delivery towards the attainment of good governance in the State.
Godwins decried the unwholesome activities of some civil servants who parade themselves as labour union leaders who offend every rule of the service under the guise of pursuing labour unionism including the use of radio and television platforms to attack government policies reminding them that the public service rules are still in force and enforceable against erring civil servants.
Spokesman to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Segun Sowunmi, has advised his principal, Atiku, to learn from President Bola Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
The Tide reports that in a bid to wrest power from President Tinubu in 2027, Atiku has been leading the movement by opposition politicians to form a coalition of political parties ahead of the next general election.
Last month, opposition politicians set up a team comprising former Minister of Transpiration, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, to decide whether to float a new party or fuse into an existing platform.
While the main opposition party, PDP, struggles with a perennial leadership crisis, the former Vice President is bent on establishing another political force to take power from the ruling party in 2027.
But Sowunmi, who has been Atiku’s ally for many years, disagrees with his move, saying instead of forming a coalition with another political platform, he should coalesce opposition politicians into the PDP.
Speaking during an interview on TVC on Tuesday, Sowunmi, who was Atiku’s campaign spokesperson in the last election, asked his principal to learn from President Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
Sowunmi believes Atiku, having benefitted from the PDP as a former Vice President and getting the party’s presidential ticket twice, should not seek to form a coalition that will not have the PDP as its base.
He said, “I’ve always said to people, people love with their hearts. I love atiku with my bones. But I can’t help him against himself. You can’t run vice presidency on PDP two times with Obasanjo, get presidential candidate on that same party two times. I don’t agree with him that the next best thing is to be shopping for…(a platform) If you want a coalition, why are you not coalescing them into your party?” he asked.
The former PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State advised the ex-VP to learn from Tinubu on how to build a coalition without dumping his political party.
“Look at your rival, your friend. You guys started together. At best, even if you want to say he’s building a coalition is he not coalescing opponents into his place”? Sowunmi asked again.
The PDP chieftain, who recently showered praises on Tinubu after he visited him, said the President has an “uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special” regardless of political affiliations.
His words: “That guy (Tinubu) is something oh, he has this uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special. It doesn’t matter whether you are a former foe or a president’s friend, every moment you share with him, I don’t know how he does it, though you’re going to leave the place feeling that you matter, feeling that he gets it, feeling that what you guys are talking about is important. And there’s something about him, when he gives you his word, he will say something like ‘ko le ye’, meaning that to the best of human ability, it will stand.”
Meanwhile, there have been conversations about Sowunmi’s political stance as many questioned his relationship with Atiku, with whom he shares a longstanding political relationship.
Asked about his relationship with Atiku following his meeting with Tinubu, Sowunmi said he doesn’t know if the former Vice President is upset.
“I don’t know whether Atiku is upset or not upset, but I know a lot of our followers are talking a lot of nonsense, and I’m wondering how I became attached to Atiku when I’ve been in PDP since 1999 never leaving,” he responded.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to fix inconsistencies in tax services across its over 300 offices nationwide.
The move aims to make tax processes clearer, more transparent, and easier for Nigerians.
In a statement, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Collins Omokaro, said the updated SOP is a key part of the agency’s plan to improve taxpayer experience.
He explained that, in the past, different FIRS offices used different methods, which often confused taxpayers.
“This is about people, experience, and impact. It’s a step towards a tax system that supports voluntary compliance and national development,” Omokaro said.
The new SOP provides a single guide for key processes like registration, payment, audit, and enforcement. This will ensure all FIRS offices follow the same steps, making the system fairer and more predictable.
FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, described the SOP as more than just a set of rules.
“This SOP is not just a technical document; it is a declaration of who we are becoming as a service. It reflects our commitment to transparency and service to the Nigerian people,” he said.
The SOP also supports FIRS’s digital transformation, combining human and technological systems to deliver faster and more reliable services. It will also improve internal efficiency by providing clear guidance and better training for staff.
“With this rollout, every FIRS staff member has a clear mandate: study it, apply it, and embody it. That’s how we’ll earn the trust of Nigerians,” Omokaro added.
The reform is part of FIRS’s efforts to become a more service-driven organisation, focused on clarity, consistency, and national growth. The agency hopes the new SOP will make tax services better for Nigerians and increase public trust in the system.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, says the Federal Government is committed to building a world-class public service in Nigeria.
Walson-Jack made this known in Abuja, on Wednesday, at a World Press Conference ahead of the International Civil Service Conference and the African Public Service Week scheduled for June 25 to 26 in Abuja.
She said a recent study tour to Singapore was part of preparatory activities aimed at positioning Nigeria’s civil service for excellence and attracting global participation in the upcoming events.
“The study tour to Singapore was the first major activity we undertook under the collaboration between the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Heads of Service of the 36 states and the FCT,” she said.
According to her, the visit, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), involved 20 State Heads of Service and was designed to benchmark best global practices and enhance Nigeria’s public service delivery.
“The idea was born out of our ongoing collaboration, where we share ideas and knowledge across federal and state levels.
“Singapore was chosen because it is globally recognised for excellence in public service,” she explained.
Walson-Jack noted that the second phase of the tour will involve the remaining 17 heads of service later this year.
She said the tour provided participants with the opportunity to engage with both public and private sector institutions in Singapore, compare administrative practices, and gain insights into global standards.
“It was an eye-opener and a capacity-building opportunity.
“Since our return, several state civil services have begun implementing reforms in collaboration with the federal service, particularly in areas such as capability development and digital transformation,” she added.
Walson-Jack further disclosed that Nigeria would host a reciprocal study tour during the upcoming African Public Service Week, where foreign delegates will engage with various federal institutions.
“They will see firsthand our digitalisation efforts, performance management systems, and other reform initiatives aimed at transforming our civil service.
“We hope the experience will inspire similar actions in their home countries,” she said.