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Civil Service Week: RSG Assures Workers Of Improved Welfare
There was excitement among thousands of civil servants in Rivers State yesterday as they celebrated the annual civil service week eight years after the last one.
The last civil service week was celebrated in Rivers State in 2015.
Many civil servants could not hide their feelings as they expressed excitement over the return of the civil service week in the State.
A cross session of civil servants who spoke to The Tide noted that the return of the civil service week is a good omen for the civil servants in the State.
The teme for this year’s celebration was “Digitalization of Work Processes in the public Service: Gateway to Efficient Resources Utilization and National Development “
In his opening speech, the State Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke, said the week offers a platform for civil servants to come together as one “to deliberate on fundamental issues bothering the progress of the public service with a view to seeking viable ways to continually improve the conduct of government business”.
Nwaeke described the civil service as not just a job, but a commitment to serve the people with dedication and integrity.
“We must put the needs of the society above our personal needs
“It is, therefore, important that civil servants take every aspect of their job seriously
“We must understand that our inactivity or inefficiency in any form will mean a disservice to the general populace.
“On the other hand, we can improve the quality of life of our people by approaching our jobs with more commitment, “he said.
He thanked Governor Siminalaye Fubara for his magnanimity towards providing an enabling environment for workers in the State.
Nwaeke also appreciated the governor for restoring water and electricity at the state secretariat.
“The lifts are now functional which makes movement within offices stress free. Also, promotion letters have been released to deserving civil servants and more letters are being expected in no distant times as promotion exercise is an ongoing process”, he said.
Also speaking, chairman, Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Sir Walter Clifford Ndu, said the commission is committed to digitalization of the service.
He said it was in line with this that an online portal platform was established for the last recruitment process.
Ndu listed the importance of digitalization to include efficiency in service delivery and security of individual’s private information, especially as seen in the biometric data capturing.
He commended former Governor Nyesom Wike for initiating the promotion process for civil servants as well as granting approval for employment of 10 thousand youths into the service.
Promising that the commission will ensure the welfare of civil servants in the State, Ndu warned that the commission would not hesitate to punish all forms of acts that are inimical to the progress of the service.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths, Mr Obed Whyte, in his own remarks, said the return of civil service week in the State would lift the morale of civil servants and improve productivity.
He described the theme for the celebration as apt and urged civil servants to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by Information Communication and Technology (ICT) to improve themselves.
Speaking on behalf of workers, Mr Napoleon Akpe, a director, assured the State Government that civil servants would give their best to the service.
He said the celebration has brought hope of a better tomorrow to civil servants in the State.
by: John Bibor
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.