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SEC Gives Rivers NCSU Boss Confidence Vote

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13 years ago

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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

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Association Woos Govt, Coys On  Boat Operators  Employments

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1 week ago

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June 12, 2026

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The leadership of Bonny Maritime Boat Association has called on Rivers state Government and oil companies operating in the state to provide sustainable employment to unemployed boat Operators.
The Association also want the government, companies and other relevant employers of labour to provide trainings for boat Operators to enhance their skills
Safety Officer of the Association, Comrade Kingdom Kingsley made this known in  a  telephone interview with  The Tide.
He noted that most of the boat Operators and owners plying Bonny route lacks jobs due to the fleets of boats introduced by Bonny Road Transport that had taken over the passengers to the Island
He noted that passengers are no longer patronizing boats owned by the Association, thereby rendering the operators redundant
“Most of our operators can not afford to feed their families due to no jobs, we don’t want to indulge in crime, government should fix our members with  sustainable jobs to take care of their immediate needs”
He called on oil companies operating in the state to engage their skilled boat Operators in their companies to reduce the sufferings faced by the Association.
The Safety Officer called on the state government  to made funds available to unemployed youths in the state to start up business than roam the streets.
He noted that provision of funds to youths would reduce crime rates and reposition their mindsets for a better life
“The  youths of Rivers state are suffering, have no job to feed their families, thereby indulging in criminality daily”
“The youths need empowerment,  jobs,  recreational facilities and better things of life as citizens of this Nation”, Kingsley said.
CHINEDU WOSU
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FG Approves $1 Bn AFCFTA Credit Facility For Nigerian Exporters

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1 week ago

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June 12, 2026

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The Federal Government has approved a whooping $1bn credit facility to support Nigerian exporters and small scale businesses to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in order to boost production, competitiveness and intra-African trade.
The $1bn AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility is also expected to address some of the financing gap being faced by Nigerian exporters and enhance the competitiveness of African businesses within the continental market.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this  during the second quarter 2026 meeting of the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee held in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Obilor-Duru Okechi, Oduwole said the financing facility represented a major opportunity for Nigerian businesses seeking to expand operations, modernise production processes and increase exports to African markets.
The statement partly read, “?The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s export-led growth agenda under the African Continental Free Trade Area, unveiling opportunities for businesses to access a US$1 billion AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility aimed at boosting production, competitiveness, and intra-African trade.”
She noted that despite the progress Nigeria had made in implementing the continental trade agreement, many local businesses continued to face obstacles that limited their ability to take advantage of the single African market.
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“Many businesses still face challenges relating to export documentation, certification, standards compliance and market access,” the minister said.
She explained that the Federal Government was addressing these bottlenecks through enhanced trade facilitation measures, simplified AfCFTA guidance tools, stakeholder engagement programmes and stronger collaboration with institutions such as the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
Oduwole stressed the need to strengthen Nigeria’s legal and regulatory framework by domesticating key AfCFTA protocols, particularly the Digital Trade Protocol, to position the country as a major player in Africa’s growing digital economy.
The minister also highlighted some of the gains recorded in Nigeria’s AfCFTA implementation efforts.
According to her, the expansion of Nigeria’s Air Cargo Corridor Initiative to Rwanda, increased collaboration with development partners and private sector players, as well as sustained engagement with state governments, were helping to deepen awareness and participation in the continental market.
In her welcome address and first-quarter update, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mrs Patience Okala, provided details of the financing initiative.
Okala said the $1bn AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility was targeted at large African businesses with a minimum financing capacity of $10m.
She revealed that the National AfCFTA Coordination Office was working closely with fund managers to facilitate access for eligible Nigerian companies and had begun assembling a pilot group of businesses to ensure that Nigeria maximised the opportunities provided by the facility.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NIWA Harps On  Avoidance Of Leaking Boats

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1 week ago

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June 12, 2026

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The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has advised Nigerians against boarding boats that require constant bailing of water in the interest of their safety.
 NIWA Area Manager for Cross River and Ebonyi, Mr Stanley Onuoha gave this warning in an interview with Newsmen in Calabar.
Onuoha who spoke on waterway
safety, said that passengers should take responsibility for their safety by inspecting boats before embarking on any journey.
According to him, repeated scooping of water from a boat is a clear indication that the vessel may be leaking.
“If you are entering a boat and see people using a bailer to remove water, it is the first signal that the boat is leaking,” he said.
He urged passengers to check the integrity of boats, including seating arrangements and other visible safety features.
The Manager restated the importance of using safety jackets, saying that damaged jackets may fail during emergencies.
He further said that passengers should ensure that safety jackets were appropriate for their body sizes in order to guarantee effective flotation.
 Onuoha reiterated the need for passengers to fill manifests before departure to aid accountability during emergencies.
The NIWA official further advised travellers to monitor weather conditions and avoid boarding boats when the weather is unfavourable.
According to him, poor weather conditions can trigger strong tidal waves capable of affecting small boats commonly used on inland waterways.
He said that waterway journeys should be embarked upon between 6.00a.m and 6.00p.m for clearer visibility.
Onuoha said  the Authority had continued to sensitise riverine communities to the need for safety precautions during waterway journeys.
He stated that sustained awareness campaigns and enforcement measures had contributed to safety waterway safety in Cross River.
CHINEDU WOSU
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