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FCTA Workers Hail Wike Over Civil Service Commission
Civil servants in the employment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), have commended the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, over the recent announcement for the immediate establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission.
The workers, who came out in their numbers, on Monday, could not hold their excitement and elation as they sang praises of the minister, and prayed for his well-being while also commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving the presidential nod for the implementation of the FCT Civil Service (Establishment) Act which was passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Press, Office of the Minister of FCT, Anthony Ogunleye, in Abuja, on Monday.
According to the statement, President of the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC), the umbrella body representing workers of the FCTA and FCDA, Comrade Korede Matilukoro, who spoke on behalf of staff during a thank-you rally to the FCT minister, said Wike, by this singular act, has put smiles on the faces of the workers of the FCTA.
Matilukoro, who reflected on the protracted struggle for the implementation of the FCT Civil Service Commission, which, according to him, has been ongoing for over 20 years, said the collective efforts and prayers of the staff have finally yielded results.
He said workers of the FCTA were stagnated, not because they were incompetent or failed the prerequisite examination, but as a result of legal and administrative constraints, which made it impossible for Directors to rise to the position of Permanent Secretary.
He said, “We just want the Hon. Minister to know that we are so excited, we are so happy and we are saying thank you, Sir.”
Matilukoro, who led the rendition of solidarity songs by the mammoth crowd of FCTA workers who came to cheer the minister, said the approval came to workers as a big surprise.
He said, “Coming from the weekend we decided to bring a DJ (Disk Jockey) to stand by and you will see banners all over the place. It’s just to surprise him back to say to whom much is given, much is expected”.
On the implication of the development for FCTA workers, Matilukoro likened it to the end of the slave trade, which came with a huge relief.
He said, “Today, a new child is born. Today, Mr. President, our Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria has done a beautiful thing. If he said he has vision for Nigeria, if he says he knows what he wants to do, we believe him now because even without asking, within a twinkle of an eye, he is able to feel our pulse, he is able to deliver on it and put smile on our faces, it’s a whole lot. That’s hope renewed, which was his campaign.”
Matilukoro, while pledging the commitment and support of FCTA workers to the Federal Government, also sued for improved performance from the workers.
Responding, Wike explained that the implementation of the FCT Civil Service Commission was a demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President in the FCT.
The minister said, “What is the President’s motto? Renewed Hope Agenda. I told Mr. President; these people have lost hope. Renew their hope. Tell them that everything’s not lost, and the only way you can assure them is by making them grow to the apex of their career.”
Assuring the workers that the hindrance to their career development has been removed with this development, the minister said the operation of the FCT Civil Service Commission will take effect from next week.
Also speaking on the withdrawal of the FCTA from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Wike said it would allow the administration to better utilise its IGR for development.
He said: “All the projects we did in Port Harcourt, it’s because we were able to source for funds and use our IGR to be our collateral. It’s simple mathematics. If our IGR in a month is N20billion, and we are collecting N300million from the bank, all you need to do is to tell the bank, collect N10million every month, meanwhile your job is going.”
Wike, while also hinting that further changes could be coming to the FCT, attributed the positive changes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s capacity and political will to do the right thing that so many people could not achieve.
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.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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