Niger Delta
Delta To Pay N5bn Promotion Arrears To Delta Workers
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on Tuesday, said he had approved the payment of five billion naira promotion arrears to the state workers.
He said the payment would be effected in three tranches, starting from August to end in October 2023.
The Governor, who disclosed this while addressing workers during his visit to the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat in Asaba, the state capital, said it was part of his campaign promises to workers.
Oborevwori said the approval was sequel to a demand by the workers prior to the Governorship election in the state, which he promised to pay when he comes into office.
He said he had fulfilled his promise to the workers by approving payment of the promotion arrears and urged workers in the state to remain committed to their duties.
“As a promise keeper, I came here for two reasons; to see how you are doing in your work places and to bring the good news that the promotion arrears you have been demanding for all these years, have been approved.
“I have come here to notify you that I have approved it, because I am governor for all of you and for all the people of Delta, as I promised you with my M.O.R.E Agenda.
“We know the money is huge; its almost five billion naira, but I promised to pay you and I have signed the memo and approved it”, he said.
Oborevwori added, “you will be paid in three tranches from next month, August to October 2023. Continue to do more and work for the interest of this state.
“I thank you very much for your support and please don’t play with your work.
“I can come here anytime without informing the Head of Service.
“Today, I decided to inform him but the next time I am coming, I won’t notify you and I will just go into one of these offices to see what they are doing”.
Earlier, the State Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, who conducted the Governor round the secretariat, expressed appreciation to the governor for approving the payment of the promotion arrears and for visiting the workers.
Bayoko pledged the unalloyed commitment of the state’s workforce to the actualisation of the governor’s M.O.R.E Agenda.
The workers, who were excited by the governor’s visit, lauded Oborevwori for being the first governor to visit workers in their secretariat.
Oborevwori was accompanied by his Deputy, Monday Onyeme and other top government functionaries.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.