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Niger Delta

SSG Cautions Civil Servants Against Quick Money

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The Secretary to the Delta Government (SSG), Mr Ovuozuorie Macaulay, has advised civil servants in the state against the urge to make quick money.

Macaulay gave the advice at a non-denomination thanksgiving service to mark his one year in office as the SSG in his office in Asaba.

He said that people were too much in a hurry to make money and advised staff of his office to be content with what they had.

He cautioned that rather than crave for quick money, workers should be committed and dedicated to their jobs, as it was their means of sustainability both for them and their families.

The SSG, who said he believed in team work rather than crowd, pleaded with the staff to ensure that jobs assigned to them were done the way it ought to be done.

Macaulay also advised the staff not to take decisions that would affect their conscience, reminding them that a worker was entitled to his right and level of compensation.

He said that in spite of the challenges that came with public office, God had been faithful and urged the staff to de-emphasis “god fatherism’’ and allow their work to speak for them.

“The destiny of a man lies with him, so work to achieve your covenant with God. Don’t struggle for anything, but struggle to achieve result,” the SSG admonished.

Macaulay used the opportunity to reward some outstanding staff in the area of punctuality, work output and dressing with gifts and cash prizes.

Also speaking, Head of Service (HOS) Sir Okey Ofili, described the SSG as an institution builder and advised public office holders not to personalise positions.

Ofili said that there was the need for both public office holders and the civil servants to stand on principles by building institutions.

He said that civil servants today were faced with the challenges of talking too much, and that they had lost focus with regards to their responsibility to the system.

Ofili also said that civil servants had a duty not to be part of the damaging remarks about civil servants, and cautioned against laziness and irresponsibility.

Earlier, Mr Emmanuel Ogidi-Gbegbaje, Permanent Secretary in the office of the SSG, said that in the last one year the morale of the staff had been raised as they had begun to see themselves as joint stakeholders in the office.

This he said was on account of the welfare packages introduced in the office under the present administration, adding that they included sponsorship of different training programmes within and outside the state.

Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Idumuje-Unor in Aniocha North Local Government of Delta, Obi James Anyasi, has condemned the protest against the re-naming of University of Lagos after late Alhaji Moshood Abiola.

Anyasi said in Idumuje-Unor on Monday that renaming the institution after the late business mogul was a well-deserved honour that should be applauded by every Nigerian.

He, therefore, advised those protesting the Democracy Day pronouncement by President Goodluck Jonathan on the issue to have a rethink and reflect on the deep reason behind the decision.

He described Abiola as a hero of democracy, whose sacrifice with his life ended military rule in the country, adding that he was also a philanthropist, who contributed to the development of communities, sports and education.

Anyasi, who has been on the throne for 66 years, cautioned the protesters, especially the students, not to heighten the security problem in the country.

He said, “Naming the University of Lagos after Abiola was a right decision taken by President Jonathan and I am sure that many well-meaning Nigerians supported it.

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Niger Delta

Royal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support

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The Amanyanabo of Koniju town, in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Winston Odiye Alamina Oputibeya XII, has expressed satisfaction over the activities of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community.
He further said that bringing Arsenal fans together for a common purpose, which is love, unity, and peace, is commendable and pledges to support the community in his own little way.
HRM Oputibeya said this when some members of the community, led by Ugochukwu Oputa, paid him a courtesy visit in his house in Port Harcourt yesterday.
According to him, he started supporting and following Arsenal Football Club some decades back, saying that anybody who loves good football must love Arsenal because players in Arsenal play good football.
“I was longing to meet leaders of the community to also be part of it because I like their organizational structure and I love Arsenal.
“The activities of the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community for me are satisfactory; that is why I am associating with it.
“I would like members to conduct themselves in a civil manner because football fans all over are the progress of their club and love,” he said.
Earlier, the coordinator of the Port Harcourt community, Ugochukwu Oputa, thanked the royal father for accepting the community, assuring that the group will do her best to get recognition and connection with Arsenal FC in London.
Oputa narrated the activities lined up by the community on Saturday, saying that everything had been put in place for the street procession.
In his vote of thanks, a member of the Arsenal Community, Com. Tonye Orabere also thanked the Amanyanbo for his magnanimity and pledged to assist the community. He prays God to continue to bless him.
Tonye Orabere
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Niger Delta

BPP Backs NDDC’s Digital Procurement Reforms

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The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for initiating reforms aimed at digitising its procurement processes to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability.
Speaking at the NDDC Procurement Policy Reform and Digitisation Stakeholders’ Sensitisation and Training Summit in Port Harcourt, the Director-General of the BPP, Adebowale Adedokun, described the initiative as a significant step towards modernising public sector operations.
Adedokun said the transition to paperless governance had become imperative as government institutions seek to reduce delays, eliminate waste and improve service delivery.
According to him, public procurement remains central to the execution of government policies and must embrace modern technology to boost productivity and strengthen public confidence.
“Procurement lies at the heart of public service delivery. It determines how resources are allocated, how projects are executed, and ultimately, how development reaches our people”, he said.
The BPP boss stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in ensuring a seamless transition to digital operations, noting that the reforms align with the broader agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a more responsive and citizen-focused public sector.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, said the sensitisation workshop formed part of the Commission’s efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and adopt innovative solutions in line with global best practices in governance and service delivery.
He stated that the Commission was implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration in the Niger Delta region, while commending the BPP for supporting the Commission and facilitating the speedy completion of projects.
Ogbuku noted that the workshop came at a critical period when public institutions across the country were embracing reforms aimed at improving governance systems, eliminating inefficiencies and rebuilding public trust.
He said empowering stakeholders, contractors and service providers with the required knowledge would accelerate development and create sustainable value across the Niger Delta.
“We are not only reforming, but we are also transforming the Niger Delta region”, he stated.
Ogbuku explained that the Commission’s reforms would move procurement processes from manual, paper-based operations to a fully digital platform designed to improve accessibility, reduce delays and minimise opportunities for corruption.
According to him, digitisation of procurement processes goes beyond technological advancement and represents a critical governance reform aimed at promoting transparency, improving service delivery and ensuring responsible management of public resources.
Earlier, the NDDC Director of Procurement, Chuks Osuji, said the policy reform and digitisation initiative would improve workflow, eliminate inefficiencies and strengthen accountability in the Commission’s procurement system.
He added that all contractors engaging with the Commission would henceforth operate through the online procurement platform, which would also provide an effective feedback mechanism for stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of contractors and consultants, Maraizu Uche lauded the initiative and pledged their cooperation towards ensuring a seamless transition to the digital platform.
He, however, appealed to the Commission to review its payment system to address delays in settling executed contracts.
The workshop, themed “Promoting Best Procurement Practices and Digital System for the NDDC”, was held across the nine states of the Niger Delta region.
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Niger Delta

Navy Inaugurates 8 Housing Units In Calabar

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The Nigerian Navy has inaugurated eight units of two-bedroom flats at the Ikot Ansa Senior Staff Quarters as part of efforts to boost personnel welfare and operational efficiency.
Speaking at the event in Calabar on Monday, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said similar housing projects would be inaugurated in Port Harcourt and Uyo.
Represented by Rear Adm. Chidozie Okehie, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Abbas said the navy would always give priority attention to personnel welfare.
He stated that the housing units would not only translate to decent homes for officers, but boost their morale for greater efficiency.
“I have repeatedly tied welfare projects to better operational readiness against maritime crimes.
“We are very deliberate about closing the accommodation gaps for officers and ratings”, he said.
The CNS charged recipients of the housing units to ensure good maintenance culture while in occupation.
Abbass reiterated the commitment of the navy to initiate new housing projects while taking steps to complete all pending ones.
“The newly inaugurated units of flats are part of the projects that we inherited from our predecessors”, he said.
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