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Court Stops Rivers Organised Labour Strike, Today …Labour Is Unpatriotic, Wike Insists

The National Industrial Court in Port Harcourt, presided over by Honourable Justice Z. M. Bashir has granted an Order of Interim Injunction, calling off the proposed labour strike in Rivers State scheduled to commence, today.
The injunction ordered the leadership of the organised labour in the state under the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Beatrice Itubo; Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Austin Jonah; Secretary, NLC, Mathew Olaba; Prince Ndukwe, and Opuwari A. Agbada (Joint Rivers Negotiating Council), or their proxy from embarking on the strike.
Parts of the Injunction read: “The National Industrial Court, Port Harcourt (presided over by Honourable Justice Z. M. Bashir, J.) has granted an Order of Interim Injunction in Suit No. NICN/PHC/41/2020 (Attorney-General, Rivers State Vs. Comrade Beatrice Itubo, Comrade Austin Jonah, Comrade Mathew Olaba, Comrade Prince Ndukwe & Opuwari A. Ogbada) restraining the defendants either by themselves or through their servants, agents, privies, officers or otherwise howsoever called from embarking on a strike on Monday, 23rd March, 2020, or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive Motion on Notice filed in this suit.
“The Trial Court also granted an Order of Interim Injunction restraining the defendants from interfering with the provision of services and other works by their members in the Civil Service of Rivers State pending the hearing and determination of the substantive Motion on Notice filed in this suit.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has said the strike being contemplated by labour in Rivers State at this time was unpatriotic, due to the Coronavirus codenamed COVID-19 that is currently impacting negatively on the Nigerian economy and the world as a whole.
Wike stated this during the public presentation of “A Handbook on Discipline of Civil Servants in Nigeria’ written by the state Head of Service (HOS), Barrister Rufus Godwins in Port Harcourt, yesterday; just as he describe the book as apt.
The book was reviewed by the state Commissioner for Education, Prof Kaniyu Ebeku.
The governor, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Tamunosis Gogo-Jaja further said many states were expressing fears as to whether they can continue to pay salaries, but that the Rivers State Government was not only up to date with salaries, she is also paying the minimum wage.
According to him, “The public presentation of this book is apt. It is coming in a period when the economy of not only Nigeria is being ravaged by the Coronavirus. Now, a lot of states are already expressing the fear of being able to pay salaries.
“We (RSG) believe that this is not a proper period for any patriotic citizen whether of Nigeria or Rivers State to contemplate on strike. The economy is going down. And come to think of it, Rivers State is not owing any civil servant. Rivers State Government has paid the minimum wage. In fact Rivers State Government has paid more than the recommendations of the Federal Government.
“Now, we want to urge that every one of us need to come together to protect the state and protect the economy of Nigeria. I believe that as Head of Service (HOS) you must take steps to address indiscipline in the civil service. Notwithstanding we have a very wonderful civil servants in Rivers State.
“Let me say to us that we have a governor that is interested in the welfare of civil servants, and therefore, we shouldn’t allow ourselves to be used by politicians to destroy the service.
“If you have your political view, don’t impose it on the ordinary civil servants. And we won’t advise that you also allow yourselves to be used to champion a different political view,” he stated, noting that anyone used to cause confusion in the state was neither doing himself nor the state any good.
While describing the author as a chattered lawyer, he advised him to borrow from the experiences shared by senior citizens who have retired from the civil service to improve the service and urged prominent citizens to endeavour to put down their experiences in book form.
“You have made an impact and that impact is what you have given to Rivers people and Nigeria at large and urged all to get copies of the book. Lastly, whether you are in the private or public sector, let us all come together and support the Government of Rivers State,” Wike added.
In his reading of the book, the author and Rivers State Head of Service, Barrister Rufus Godwins said working with Wike and the experiences he has garnered inspired him to write the book
“The impetus for this work derived from the inspiration His Excellency gave me. His Excellency’s vision is captured in virtually every sector of governance and administration. And for the civil service his vision is to enthrone a civil service that can utilize best global practices to deliver efficient and effective service.
“With this I set out to look at the service. In the first one year I was dissolution thinking I was in the wrong place because I came from a background of discipline and professional ethics. I couldn’t understand a service where by 9am people are not on their seats till 10am. So, I started by going from office to office to seize registers of those who come late.
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FG To Seize Retirees’ Property Over Unpaid Housing Loans

The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.
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FG Begins Induction For New Permanent Secretaries, Accountant-General

The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.
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NNPCL To Undergo Forensic Audit Soon -FG

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin soon.
Edun revealed this at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
The minister explained that the recent changes in the NNPCL management are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to clean up and examine the company closely.
While addressing top global investors, including representatives from J.P. Morgan, Edun shared key reforms the government has introduced to revive the economy and restore investor confidence.
He told the investors that the government’s bold economic steps have laid a strong foundation to attract private investment.
He stated, “Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
Edun highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rolled out major reforms that are already making a difference.
He added that the Nigerian economy grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and recorded a 3.4 per cent growth for the year.
Edun further stressed the importance of the reforms, describing them as “unprecedented,” adding that, “We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course.”
He pointed out signs of progress such as lower budget deficits, a better trade balance, and a more stable exchange rate.
He also said that the focus is now on growing key sectors, especially agriculture.
According to Edun, agriculture is at the top of the government’s agenda, with the aim of improving food supply and increasing productivity.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, Edun revealed that the government has rolled out 90,000km of fibre optic cable to improve internet access.
He said this move is crucial for supporting young Nigerians and tech startups.
He also noted that 4,000km of roads have been offered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.
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