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NCSU Begs Fubara To Pay N35, 000 Salary Award, Christmas Bonus
The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Rivers State Council, has appealed to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to implement without further delay the N35,000 salary award approved by the Federal Government for all workers in the country to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy, as well as pay Christmas bonus to civil servants in the State.
It would be recalled that since the administration of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, civil servants in the State had not been paid Christmas bonus.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who made the appeal while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt urged Governor Fubara to pay this month the approved N35,000 salary award and Christmas bonus to the civil servants to enable them celebrate seamlessly the Christmas festivities with their counterparts across the country.
According to him, civil servants in the State had for several years been denied Christmas bonus by successive administrations that never had the interest of the people at heart.
He, however, noted that the Governor Fubara administration would have before now implemented the N35, 000 salary award for the workers if not for the temporary setback caused by the ill-fated impeachment saga in the State.
Nonetheless, Osumah said the Rivers State Government ought to have started implementing the salary award since September when it was approved; adding that further delay of the implementation would entail unnecessary accumulation of the arrears.
He expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would do the needful to make civil servants in the State comfortable and happy again, particularly during the forthcoming Christmas festivities, since he was himself a civil servant before his election to the exalted position of Governor of the State.
The labour leader used the opportunity to reaffirm the unflinching support of the workers to the present administration, going by its giant development strides within a short period of time, and recalled that the civil servants had within the past eight years of the previous administration passed through excruciating pains, a situation he said Governor Fubara would remedy and once again put smiles on the faces of the workers.
While wishing the Governor well on the forthcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, Osumah called on the workers to continue to rally round the present administration as well as improve on their productivity through a greater sense of dedication and commitment to their duties.
He also commended Governor Fubara for the recent move of his administration to build 20,000 low cost houses and a befitting motor spare parts market in Port Harcourt, describing the initiative as a welcome development that would equally create job opportunities for the teeming youths of the State.
He said the union is particularly grateful to the Governor for the recent promotion of the workers who were for over 10 years stagnated, saying it is heart-warming that the present administration was the one that implemented the promotion as well as paid the accruing arrears to some of the workers.
Osumah equally expressed delight that the Port Harcourt Ring Road project initiated by the present administration is on course, as houses have already been demolished on some routes to pave way for the full take-off of the project, and applauded Governor Fubara for the bold initiative.
He, however, stressed the need for the administration to revive the payment of housing and car loans to civil servants in the State, a policy he said was reinforced by the Peter Odili administration with over N200million set aside for that purpose.
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.