News
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 ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a budget of 19,636,030 Units of Account (UA) (26 million dollars) for the 2026 fiscal year, and announced plans to commemorate its 25th anniversary in November.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Hadjia Memounatou Ibrahima, who announced this, said the development followed the recent conclusion of its 2025 Second Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
She said the budget was adopted by the Parliament during plenary, stressing that, beyond being a mere accounting act, it was the engine of parliament’s commitment to West Africans.
”It will enable us to carry out our priority missions, including implementing the conclusions of the seminar on AI, while ensuring virtuous and transparent management of public funds entrusted to us.
”This budget represents a five per cent increase compared to the 2025 fiscal year budget, reflecting an upward adjustment of UA 939,233 from last year’s UA 18,996,897.
”Out of the budget of UA 19,636,030 for 2026, the sum of UA19, 368,394 representing 98.64 per cent is expected to be financed through the proceeds from the Community Levy, while UA257,636, equivalent to 1.36 per cent, will accrue from other sources,” Ibrahima said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ECOWAS Community Levy is a mandatory 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods imported into ECOWAS member states from non-ECOWAS countries.
Member states are under statutory obligation to pay the community levy, which is the main source of funding for ECOWAS institutions and their activities.
Ibrahima, however, expressed dismay that some members of the community were still defaulting on the payment of the levy, and warned that, going forward; such would be met with sanctions.
She also said that the commemoration of its 25th anniversary in November would highlight the ECOWAS Parliament’s achievements in deepening regional democracy, cooperation and growth, amid formidable challenges.
The Speaker described the forthcoming anniversary as “a chance to showcase resilience and chart a more innovative, youth-focused future for the community”.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
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