News
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 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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