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We’ll Strengthen Civil Service For Optimum Productivity -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured of his administration’s commitment to give civil servants their rightful place to strengthen the service for the growth and optimum productivity in the State.
This, according to him, stems from the fact that his administration understands and appreciates the plight of both civil and public servants in the State.
Fubara gave the assurance while addressing members of the Forum of Rivers State Government Teachers with Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), who were on a peaceful appeal-walk to Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, to solicit their transfer from public primary and secondary schools to tertiary institutions in the State.
Represented by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Governor Fubara, assured that his government would give proper attention to the issue, bearing in mind the cardinal objectives of the administration to always do what is right and proper in all circumstances to bring the best result to Rivers people.
According to him, “I think basically, the issue here is PhD holders who are under the employment of the State that are craving for proper placement. You are already Rivers State Government workers, but you have read to the level where you need to be promoted and actually, it is the desire of everybody.
“You must understand that our present Governor, given his background as a technocrat and civil servant, understands and appreciates the plight of civil and public servants in the State.
“When it comes to workers’ issue, we don’t advise him, he will rather advise us; and that is how it is because he went through it from the beginning of his days as a young graduate. He was also a teacher before he transferred to the mainstream civil service.
“So, he truly understands your plight. He is a man that in everything he does, he tries to look at what is right in the circumstances; what is proper in the circumstances; and what will bring the best benefit to Rivers State. So, your case can never be different.”
The governor also dismissed insinuations that Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Rivers State was a scam, urging the younger generation aspiring to acquire education to that level never to have that conception, as such narrative will never be associated with his administration.
He said, “When your forum coordinator spoke, he said that in Rivers State, PhD is a scam. PhD can never be a scam. Let the younger ones that are aspiring to get their PhD never get the feelings that PhD is a scam.
“What is a scam is the PhDs procured from Ariaria Market here and there. Those are the ones that you can say are a scam. If you genuinely studied for and got your PhD, nobody can actually take it away from you, because the human development you acquired in itself, by the grace of God, can take you to the zenith of whatever is your ambition in life.
“So, I want to assure you that, that narrative that PhD is a scam, this government will never allow it to happen.”
Fubara, however, advised them to prepare their minds towards screening in the eventuality of any action that would be taken to address the issue, which is the proper thing to be done.
He stressed, “But, one thing you must also understand, when it is time for employment in the tertiary institutions, you must submit yourself for screening, because these days, a lot of people who claim to have PhD, sometimes disgrace the PhD itself.
“So, that is why for every employment or transfer, you must subject yourself to proper screening, so that they will know that truly, your PhD is worth the paper, and you deserve to be properly placed as you ought to.
“I recall last time when some of you had this kind of issue, they were teaching in secondary schools. They have now read up to PhD level and they want to move to the higher institutions.
“Also, some of them who got employment even in Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and they were cut up in this problem we had in the institution. Then, they tried to come back to where they were, they were also having problem. His Excellency had to direct the board to properly look at it and report back to him. So, be assured yours will also be looked into.”
Earlier in his address, the Coordinator, Forum of Rivers State Government Teachers with PhD, Dr Thompson Ofuru, had said the peaceful Appeal-Walk was to solicit and appeal to the governor to use his good offices to transfer their services from public primary and secondary schools to any of the state-owned tertiary institutions.
He said, “Sir, our peaceful appeal-walk to you today is an offshoot of all our frantic efforts made to seek your attention and interface with you one-on-one that yielded no result.
“The transfer is to enable us maximize our research potentials, have job satisfaction, and also, to give back to the society in line with the 21st Century advocate.”
Dr. Ofuru, however, expressed gratitude to the governor for the N100,000 Christmas bonus to all civil servants in the state, of which they were beneficiaries.
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.