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Wike Gets Accolades Over Pension Approval For 2,673 Retirees
Retirees of the Rivers State Civil Service have commended Governor Nyesom Wike for approving monthly pension for a fresh batch of 2, 673 retirees.
The President, Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Rivers State, Rev. Gladman Amadi made the commendation during the association’s 2019 end of year seminar and luncheon in Port Harcourt yesterday.
Amadi said, “We must also thank God because presently in Rivers State, we are being taken care of by the State Government in terms of monthly pension payment. We hear or know what happens in other places within the country.
“Although we are being paid as at when due, yet there are areas concerning pension payment that we may intervene at an appropriate time,” he said.
According to him, the association comprises of seasoned administrators who have worked in various sectors, hence government of the day stand to benefit from its wealth of knowledge and experiences.
The Director General, Rivers State Pension Board, Ijeoma E.O Samuel, had in a statement made available to The Tide, yesterday, said the latest approval is in addition to the15,400 pensioners already in the monthly payroll of the State government.
The statement reads, “The Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has graciously approved payment of monthly pension for another batch of 2,673 retirees from the Rivers State public service. This is in addition to the over 15,400 pensioners already in the monthly payroll of the Rivers State Government.”
Samuel emphasized that the approval could not have come at a better time, noting that this further confirms that the present administration of Governor Nyesom Wike is committed to the wellbeing of public servants in the state.
The statement further said the board’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) Department will soon commence biometric verification exercise for the next batch of public servants retiring between August and December, 2019.
The Director General of the State Pension Board thanked the Governor for fulfilling his promises to pensioners, describing the gesture as a Christmas and New Year gift.
“Finally the Director General congratulated the pensioners and wished them a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the State Government has restated its commitment to the welfare of retirees of the Civil Service, assuring that all outstanding issues of pensions and gratuities would be addressed as many of them were already receiving their monthly allowances.
The State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo gave the assurance while speaking during the 2019 end of year seminar and luncheon of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Rivers State yesterday.
Represented by Ben Roberts in the office of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Harry- Banigo called on those who were yet to receive their allowance to exercise patients, while charging them to undergo their biometrics in order to be absorbed accordingly.
“It is a good thing to be in the midst of retired Permanent Secretaries of which you all know that Her Excellency is one of you. She has come with a message for you to keep hope alive. To be focused and ensure that you take paramount care of your life, which is of essence. The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, is working tirelessly to see that all the backlog of retirees in the State are paid.
“A Committee was just set-up and the committee has submitted its report. What is going on now is that some of them are still doing their biometrics and many of them are already receiving their monthly pensions.
“Though the payment of some has not been effected, but many of them have been enrolled and they have started receiving their monthly pensions. What most of them are complaining about is the backlog of pension and gratuity. I assure you that very soon it will be addressed and all the issues would be resolved.”
Earlier, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Rivers State, Rev. Gladman Amadi, said one of the dreams of the body is to organize seminars for retired permanent secretaries to help them live a stress-free life in retirement.
Rev. Amadi further said the association was formed in 2016 during which it set up few issues to address, including enhancing the welfare of its members and relate with the Rivers State Government and other relevant agencies.
“The association is also aimed at getting to know one another intimately and to offer assistance or companionship where necessary,” he said.
He continued that the body has done well within the short period of its existence and that there was much to be achieved going forward, noting that the body had engaged in health walk and health screening aimed at ensuring the wellbeing of members as well as ensure their health status.
By: Dennis Naku, Charity Opara & Favour Ekeke
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.