Business

SEC Gives Rivers NCSU Boss Confidence Vote

Published

12 years ago

October 2, 2013

The State Executive Com
mittee (SEC) of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), has passed a vote of confidence on the Chairman of the union in Rivers State, Comrade O.T. Lilly-West for the credible manner he has so far piloted the affairs of the union.
Moving a motion to that effect during an enlarged SEC meeting of the union in Port Harcourt last Thursday, the chairman of the Ministry of Youth Development unit of the union, Comrade Sonny Eremasara said the vote of confidence on Lilly-West had become necessary to motivate him to achieve more for the union in the state going by the excellent manner he has been piloting the affairs of the union, stressing that NCSU had been re-positioned in the state under his leadership.
The motion which was greeted by overwhelming and resounding applause among members was seconded by the chairman of the Ministry of Transport unit of the union, Comrade Koko Harrison.
The visibly elated NCSU chairman in the state, Comrade Lilly-West thanked God for the gesture, saying, it was only those who were being served that would appreciate what a leader was achieving, as a dancer does not see his back.
He had earlier in a welcome address highlighted events in both the state and national chapters of the union as well as efforts being made to restore peace and harmony in the Rivers State chapter of the union and solicited the continued support, patience and commitment of members of the union to the cause of the workers and NCSU, stressing that their solidarity and unity of purpose were needed for industrial harmony and achievement of a stable, efficient and productive civil service in the state.
Lilly-West further disclosed that NCSU had zoned the position of National Deputy President of the union to Cross River State while its position of National Vice President in the South-South zone had been zoned to Bayelsa State.
This, he said was because the two states had not occupied national positions of the union in the zone.
The NCSU boss commended the National President of the union, Comrade Kiri Mohanned Shuaibu for his tenacity of purpose, his forcused leadership style and outstanding achievements inspite of the antics of those he described as fifth columnists.
He also lauded the Rivers State Head of Service, Barrister Samuel LongJohn and Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Mr Ngo Martyns –Yellowe for the credible manner they have been taking the civil service of the state to greater heights.
Lilly-West equally expressed concern over the political crisis rocking the state, and called on the citizenry including workers to fast and pray for the restoration of peace in the state.
He, however, urged the political gladiators to embrace peace and make sacrifices as servants of the people by burying their hatchets in the interest of the state which he described as a major contributor to the nation’s development process.
The SEC, comprising chairmen, secretaries and treasurers of the various units of the union in the state brainstormed on several issues affecting civil servants including promotion, salary deductions and the National Housing Fund among others.
The SEC was unanimous in its decision that civil servants in the state should be promoted yearly, while Comrade Lilly-West doused speculation that the state government would further deduct salaries of workers.
According to him, apart from deductions of the contributory pension fund and the new tax regime introduced by the state government, no other deductions would be carried out on workers salaries.

Donatus Ebi

Business

Fidelity Bank To Empower Women With Sustainable Entrepreneurship Skills, HAP2.0

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced the launch of the second edition of its flagship women-empowerment initiative, the HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 (HAP 2.0).

According to the report, the programme is designed to equip women with practical, income?generating skills and structured pathways to entrepreneurship.

Accordingly, the HAP 2.0 will build on the success of its inaugural edition held in 2023.

During media chat with journalists to herald the launch of HAP 2.0, the Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede, explained that the initiative has been enhanced to deliver greater impact.

He said HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 reflects their commitment to continuous improvement, having evaluated feedback from the first edition, they have returned with stronger partnerships and deeper mentorship programmes to ensure that women acquire not just skills, but sustainable economic opportunities.

Mr Ede, who said the programme is guided with real?world learning, also said that participants will undergo intensive apprenticeship training under reputable institutions and industry experts across selected fields such as hair styling, shoe making, auto mechatronics, and interior decoration.

Additionally, he said HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 goes beyond skills acquisition by offering participants a wide range of business advisory services.

These include business and financial literacy training, mentorship support throughout the apprenticeship journey, access to Fidelity Bank’s women?focused and SME financial solutions, as well as guidance on business formalisation and growth strategies.

Emphasizing the bank’s vision further, Ede said: “By integrating structured mentorship with entrepreneurial development, Fidelity Bank is positioning women not just as trainees, but as future employers, innovators, and economic contributors within their communities.

This aligns with our mandate to help individuals grow, businesses thrive, and economies prosper”.

It is noteworthy that interested participants are encouraged to indicate their interest by visiting https://bit.ly/Apprenticeshipbyherfidelity.

It is important to note that Fidelity Bank Plc is ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, with a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, with 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

It is reported that the Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine.

By: Nkpemenyie mcdominic, Lagos

Business

President Tinubu Approves Extension Ban On Raw Shea Nut Export

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts for a further one year, from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on (Information and Strategy) who disclosed this on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 stressed the Federal Government remains committed to policies that promote inclusive growth, local manufacturing, and position Nigeria as a competitive participant in global agricultural value chains.

The decision underscores the administration’s commitment to advancing industrial development, strengthening domestic value addition, and supporting the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The ban aims to deepen processing capacity within Nigeria, enhance livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and promote the growth of Nigerian exports anchored on value-added products.

To further these objectives, President Tinubu has authorised the two Ministers of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU), to coordinate the implementation of a unified, evidence-based national framework that aligns industrialisation, trade, and investment priorities across the shea nut value chain.

He also approved the adoption of an export framework established by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and the withdrawal of all waivers allowing the direct export of raw shea nuts.

The President directed that any excess supply of raw shea nuts should be exported exclusively through the NCX framework, in accordance with the approved guidelines.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Business

Crisis Response: EU-project Delivers New Vet. Clinic To Katsina Govt.

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

A Non – Governmental Organisation (NGO), Mercy Corps, has handed over a newly constructed Veterinary Clinic and a rehabilitated structure in Danmusa Local Government Area (LGA), to the Katsina State Government.

The project, which included a 20,000-litre capacity upgraded solar-powered borehole, was executed under the European Union-funded Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) project.

The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Wednesday, the Commissioner for Livestock and Animal Husbandry in Kastina State, Prof Ahmed Bakori, commended Mercy Corps and its partners on such commitment to support peace and development in the state.

While praising the state government for restoring peace and stability, the said project would improve livestock services and the welfare of farmers who depend on animal health services for livelihood.

Bakori buttressed that improved security in the state had enabled development partners to implement meaningful interventions in communities affected earlier.

He said, “Recently, Gov. Dikko Radda was in South Africa to explore strategies for boosting livestock production and strengthening the livestock value chain in line with the government’s economic development agenda.”

In his remarks, Mercy Corps Senior Programme Manager, Mr Philip Ikita, expressed satisfaction on the timely and successful implementation of the project in Danmusa.

He stated that although Mercy Corps began its operations in the state in 2023, security challenges, had initially prevented the organisation from accessing some areas, including Danmusa.

Ikita said that the project would improve access to essential services, strengthen livelihoods and contribute to sustaining peace in the community.

“The project involves the upgrade of a veterinary clinic from a two room structure into a fully functional six office facility, embarked on to strengthen livestock healthcare services in the area.

“The programme builds on the success of the Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation (CMCR) project and seeks to promote long-term peace and stability in Northwest Nigeria.

“It works across 48 communities in Zamfara and Katsina States, addressing the root causes of conflict, enhancing community resilience, and strengthening socio-economic recovery,” he said.

Also, the District Head of Danmusa, Ahmadu Abubakar, expressed appreciation to Mercy Corps and its partners for the intervention, describing the projects as timely and beneficial.

Earlier, the Chairman of Danmusa LGA, Ibrahim Na-Mama, represented by his Deputy, Musa Muhammad, expressed appreciation for the projects, assuring that the council would support efforts to safeguard them.