President Bola  Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York, United States.

Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, made this known in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.

The Tide source reports that the 81st UNGA General Debate will hold from September 22 to 28,

The theme of the UNGA is, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

Nkwocha explained that at the General Debate, Shettima would deliver Nigeria’s national statement.

He said the statement would outline Nigeria’s position and priorities on major global issues with implications for national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.

The presidential aide also said that Shettima would participate in high-level meetings during the UNGA week.

Nkwocha explained further that VP Shettima’s engagements would focus on  the Right to Development, climate action and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and the African continent.

Similarly, he said Shettima is also expected to join other world leaders at the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and participate in a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries and international organisations, as well as development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

“The engagements will provide Nigeria an opportunity to advance President Tinubu’s economic diplomacy, deepen strategic partnerships and strengthen the country’s voice on reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.”

Nkwocha said that VP Shettima will return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his engagements in New York.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, has called for strategic planning, innovative engineering and sustainable infrastructure to unlock the State’s Blue Economy potential.

Odu made the call while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the Second Distinguished Annual Lecture of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), Port Harcourt Chapter, held in honour of Engr. Beniah  Ojum at Marvel Hotel and Suites, GRA, Port Harcourt, last Thursday

The deputy governor said Rivers State’s extensive coastline, rivers, creeks, wetlands and other aquatic resources offered enormous opportunities for economic development, stressing that these could only be fully harnessed through modern infrastructure and proper environmental management.

She noted that civil engineers had critical roles to play in developing ports, jetties, waterways, coastal infrastructure, flood-control systems and water-management facilities.

According to her, the State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, remained committed to infrastructure development and creating an enabling environment for sustainable investment.

She also commended NICE for honouring Engr. Ojum with the annual lecture, describing him as a distinguished national and global figure in the engineering profession.

Odu urged NICE, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders to work together to transform Rivers State’s natural resources into sustainable economic opportunities.

In his address, the National Chairman of  NICE, Engr. Tokunbo Ajanaku, who was represented by Engr. Virgilius Ezugo, said the institution was engaging engineering establishments nationwide to secure industrial training placements for civil engineering students.

He added that approval had been obtained for civil engineers serving under the NYSC to be posted to relevant engineering organisations.

According to him, NICE, in collaboration with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), had secured improved entry placement for engineers in the civil service.

Ezugo noted that NICE, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in Abuja in June, was also constructing a national secretariat with a e-library, meeting halls and research facilities.

He urged civil engineers to position themselves to benefit from opportunities in shipping, tourism and infrastructure development arising from the Blue Economy.

In his vote of thanks, Ojum expressed gratitude to guests, professional bodies, friends and family for their support in making the event a success.

He particularly appreciated the Nigerian Society of Civil Engineers, the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, his alma mater, St. Mary’s School, Omoku, and the guest lecturer  for their contributions.

He recalled his childhood experiences with former schoolmates after the Civil War, saying the bonds formed during those difficult years had endured over time.

The Tide reports that a Professor of Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity, Prof. John Onwuteaka, delivered a lecture titled: ‘Engineering the Blue Frontier: Leveraging Civil Engineering to Unlock Rivers State’s Blue Economy Potential for Sustainable Growth.’

The Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)  has blamed the delay in the payment of pensions to retirees from July 2025 to date on the recent political crisis in the State.

The union also urged the affected retirees to be patient, assuring that something is being done about it.

The NLC State chairman, Comrade Alex Agwuanwon, disclosed this in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt.

He said the delay was not intentional but was caused by the political crisis that engulfed the state, resulting in the declaration of a State of Emergency, last year.

The NLC boss assured that with the resolution of political crisis in the State and the restoration of peace between the executive and legislative arms of government, the issue of payment of pensions to retirees will soon be addressed.

He, therefore, stressed the need for those affected to be patient.

“My appeal to them is that, it is not intentional. The steps are on to address the issues,” he said.

Agwuanwon also told The Tide that the labour movement had earlier  rejected the contributory pension scheme by insisting that civil servants presently in the employment of the government should remain in the old pension scheme.

He said it was against this background that a committee was set up.

According to him, the committee has produced its report which has been submitted to the state government on the issue.

The NLC chairman expressed hope that the report would not only be sent to the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) but also the State House of Assembly with a view to fast-tracking its passage into law.

He said the union made efforts within the period of the State of Emergency to get the scheme amended so that retirees can assess their pension.

“We are not comfortable with the contributory pension scheme, so, asking the civil servants to enroll into the scheme for us is not acceptable. It was totally rejected, so, the old scheme has to run.”

He described the sufferings of retirees, especially during the period of emergency as “a sacrifice we paid for that period.”

“For us, it is very unfortunate, so at that point, there is nothing anybody could have done at this point.

“For us, we made efforts within the period, but the story is that it is a law,” he said.

Giving more insight into the committee’s report, the NLC boss said civil servants, especially those currently in the employment of the state government, will continue to remain in the old scheme.

In his words, “They will continue to run in the current scheme, after retirement they will continue to enjoy their monthly pensions, they will get their gratuities and other benefits, but those that are going to be employed subsequently will be enrolled into the contributory pension scheme,” he said.

He said once the committee report is implemented, those affected will be captured and arrears of their pensions will be paid.

John Bibor