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Civil Servants Hail Wike On Interest Free Loan …2,113 Workers Qualify For Ist Batch
Civil servants in Rivers State have expressed delight over the decision by Governor Nyesom Wike to commence the payment of the revolving interest free loan to them from this month.
This is even as they felicitated with him over his resounding victory at the March 9, 2019 governorship election.
Speaking to The Tide in an interview yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Chairman of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Comrade Opuoyibo Lilly-West commended the Governor for the gesture, saying, it would go a long way to boost the morale of civil servants in the state.
According to him, the workers had been expecting the loan since last year, but could not get it because of other exigencies.
Lilly-West further noted that the Governor’s goodwill came to workers as a shock since he (the Governor) was just coming out of election processes, stressing that it was good that the state government decided to take the payment of the loan batch by batch to enable all those qualified for it to benefit from the gesture.
The Vice Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council in the State said the two bold steps the governor has recently taken in favour of workers were a strong indication that he has the mindset to re-energise the civil service, and commended him for the move to resolve the lingering pension issues in the state.
“We are very happy. We are sincerely happy, we thank His Excellency. Honestly, it was a great shock to us”, he said.
Lilly-West, therefore, enjoined civil servants in the state to invest the money wisely and to utilise it for the purpose it was meant and not to use it for frivolities, even though it is an interest free loan.
The labour leader, however, advised Governor Wike to energise the civil service in terms of provision of basic infrastructure and injection of fresh blood into the system in form of employment, and never to allow the civil service to die a natural death, contending that the civil service remains the glory and engine room of government.
While congratulating Governor Wike on his electoral victory, Lilly-West noted that the re-election of the governor for a second term was “a victory for all of us”, and advised him to use it to re-unite the entire Rivers people.
It would be recalled that the Rivers State Head of Service, Rufus N. Godwins (Esq) had during a meeting with the entire workforce at the Point Block in Port Harcourt last Tuesday said 2,113 persons qualified for the loan and that despite the economic recession in the country, the state government had graciously released N100 million monthly as the first tranche of a continuous revolving loan to civil servants, stressing that payment will be done through the issuance of cheques to the recipients.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Forum of Permanent Secretaries and Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, George Nweke thanked the Governor for the loan and urged beneficiaries to put the money into effective use.
In his vote of thanks, the Chairman, Administrative Officers Forum, Blessing Elijah said the gesture was unprecedented and unparalleled in the history of the service, adding that the loan was coming at a time when it was most needed.
It would be recalled that the state government had on 12th June, 2018 approved a revolving loan scheme for civil servants on Grade Levels 01-13.
Donatus Ebi
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.