Nation
FORUM OF NIGER DELTA LEADERS, STAKEHOLDERS COMMEND NDDC ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE REGION
The Forum of Niger Delta Leaders and Critical Stakeholders has commended the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC for its achievement in the region
The Forum also urged the Commission to remain focused in their service delivery drive to the people of the region;
This was contained in Nine ( 9) points resolution signed by critical stakeholders from the region shortly after it meeting held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state to deliberate, examine activities and programs of the Commission, in particular, and certain salient issues of regional and national interests
The following were the resolution breached with the direction and achievements, so far recorded by the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC,
The forum Commended the renewed drive towards human capital development by the NDDC, and agreed to partner with the Commission in its initiatives, with particular reference to vocational training programs for the youths and women of the region;
The Forum Nine points resolution were signed by Senator Essien Ibok Emmanuel and Prof Benjamin Ogele Okaba
Prof Emenike Nyeche Wami and
Amb Kennedy Tonjo West
The Nine Points resolution signed by twenty stakeholders across the region also lauded President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for appointing persons of high scale to the Board and management of the NDDC as embodied by the present team; and urged them not to disappoint the confidence reposed on them by Mr. President and the people of the Region.
The Resolution called on Mr. President to use his good offices (as a lover of the Niger Delta) to take deliberate steps towards releasing in tranches, the huge backlog of arrears of monies owed the Commission by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“We strongly believe that such a presidential gesture will not only help escalate the development of the region but also further endear Mr. President to the Niger Delta people”
It also appeals to the good people and friends of the Niger Delta to lend constructive support to the leadership of the Commission in its determined march to make a difference;
The Forum statement called on the Federal Ministry of Works, and the relevant agencies of the federal government to carry out immediate reconstruction works on the several failed sections of “Federal Roads” in the Niger Delta, to alleviate the suffering of the people.
The critical stakeholders called for the completion of the Ikot Abasi – Eket Oron section of the East-West Road, and the award of the contract for the Oron – Calabar section of the all important Road.
It reminded the federal government,as well as both the Ministry of Niger Delta Development and the Niger Delta Development Commission, of the dire need for the Trans Niger Delta Coastal Road project, noting that the potential socioeconomic benefits of the project cannot be over emphasized; thus, urged that funds should be mobilized for the commencement of the project.
Finally, the resolution urged the Managing Director of the NDDC to facilitate an audience with the President of the Nigerian Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for a robust and constructive engagement on critical issues of regional and national concern.
In conclusion, the Forum called on Niger Deltans of goodwill, and lovers of the region, to join hands with the leadership of NDDC,and other agencies of the Federal government with direct bearing on the Niger Delta region to enthrone good governance and effectively address the developmental inadequacies of the region,Called for a sense of commitment and constructive engagement for the good of our people while urging that groups in the region to desist from attempts to draw back the march to progress.
Other signatories in the forum resolution include Dominic Saataah,
Comrade Ita Ante. National ,Prof Atuboyedia Obianime ,Elder Timi K Ogoriba and Prof Simeon Chituru Achinewhu
It also include Dr Ken Robinson,
Hon D D Kalsuo,
Elder Marshal Kunoun,
Bishop Victor Thomas,
High Chief Thompson Fouye,
Comrade Charles Omusuku and
Comrade Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha
Amb Amain Winston Ceterel,
Chief Ken Odiowei,
Deacon Felix Etela ,
Amb Hope Harvard Erekosima,
Comrade Mogbitse G Okitikpi
Hon Daniel Oyowe and
Comrade McPrince Mbu signed the resolution
CHINEDU WOSU
The Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr Chioma Ejikeme, has reiterated the commitment to service delivery for pensioners.
Ejikeme said this during the Customer Service Week in Abuja, yesterday.
He said that commission had a mandate to deliver good service delivery to the pensioners.
Ejikeme, who was represented by the Director Civil Service Pension Department, Mr Kabir Yusuf, said that the customer service week was important to operations of PTAD.
“Customer service is the support that you give to a customer, whether it is an existing customer or potential customer in the process of delivering or making enquires about a service.
“To be a good customer service representative you need to be knowledgeable, have good attitude and attribute especially to the senior citizens and have empathy,” he said.
Ejikeme said that all PTAD staff had most of the attributes of a good customer representative.
“We provide excellent customer service by going to verify our aged pensioners who cannot do it by themselves anywhere across the country.
“There is a dedicated team that was mandated to go round to confirm the aliveness of those who can not confirm their aliveness either because the are too old or have health issues,” the executive secretary said.
The National Coordinator, SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, said that the official theme of the 2024 customer service week was “ We Go Above and Beyond For Our Customers.”
She commended PTAD and the SERVICOM team for organising the 2024 customer service week.
“This is in line with the best practice of celebrating frontline workers and service takers.
“Customer service week is celebrated annually during the first full week in October.
It calls attention to the importance of people to boost morale team work and departmental collaboration in supporting pensioners.
“ It is a platform to reward employees for the significant work they do,” Akajemeli said.
She said that the objective of the customer service week was to celebrate the hard work and dedication of employee who strived to create positive customer experiences.
She said that it was time to show customers that the organisation valued their experience and feedback, through comment cards, dedicated hotline, among others.
Akajemeli said that it raised awareness internally and externally about the importance of good customer service in building customer loyalty and satisfaction.
She said that the benefit was to increase motivation, show appreciation, encourage friendly competition, boost employee retention, create a positive workplace and increase productivity.
The Head, Surveillance Department at the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mr Abdulrahman Saleem, said that good service delivery was the key success of every establishment.
Salem said that PTAD operated with standard, considering the success it had achieved so far.
Saleem said that pensioners required the best service attitude and behavior.
“ I give kudos to PTAD for its efforts and encourage it to do more.
“Therefore I urge PTAD staff to keep up the standard and continue to give good service to the pensioners,” he said.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has honoured Flying Officer David Sangokoya for winning the 2023/2024 Royal Air Force College Cranwell International Cadet Sword of Honour.
Abubakar honoured the officer during the presentation of cheques to 13 beneficiaries of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy (GPAIP) in Abuja, yesterday.
He described the achievement as ground-breaking as it was the first time an African cadet had won the prestigious award since the Academy’s creation over 100 years ago.
According to him, the feat underscores the excellence that exists within NAF, and proof that NAF officers and cadets can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.
“To our awardee, you have set a new standard, not just for your peers, but for every cadet and officer that will come after you.
“This accomplishment is a powerful reminder that no goal is out of reach when one is armed with dedication, discipline and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
“Your journey as an officer has begun with this prestigious accolade, but the true measure of your success will be seen in how you serve, lead and contribute to the mission of NAF and the defence of our great nation.
“As we celebrate this historic occasion, we extend our deepest gratitude to the United Kingdom Government for its unwavering support in providing world-class training opportunities to our personnel.
“This has enabled our officers and men to gain invaluable skills and knowledge, strengthening not only our bilateral ties but also our collective ability to address global security challenges,” he said.
The CAS said that the NAF looked forward to continuing the fruitful partnership for the mutual benefit of Nigeria and UK countries.
He expressed gratitude and unflinching loyalty to President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to the welfare and training of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and NAF in particular.
“I must also take a moment to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the leadership of the Nigerian Defence Academy and the instructors who helped to mould and prepare this cadet for the global stage.
“Their dedication and commitment to developing top-notch officers is evident in this ground-breaking achievement.
“You have not only trained a leader but have given the Nigerian Air Force a legacy we will all cherish,” he said.
National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has advocated private sector involvement to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The Director-General of the authority, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, made the call at a high-level policy dialogue on sustainable health system reforms in Nigeria in Abuja, yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that the dialogue was organised by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), a coalition of private sector stakeholders, to address the multifaceted challenges plaguing the country’s healthcare system.
The dialogue has “Private Sector Support for SWAP (Sector Wide Approach) in Healthcare” as its theme.
Represented by Dr Yakubu Agada-Amade, the NHIA Director of Standards and Quality Assurance, Ohiri explained the crucial role of private sector collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system
He highlighted the “One Plan” under the SWAp framework, which seeks to unify health sector efforts, ensuring efficient resource use, effective governance and expanded healthcare access.
He also stressed the importance of overcoming barriers that historically hindered the implementation of healthcare interventions in Nigeria, such as inadequate financing, weak governance systems, and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
He added that “the dialogue explored innovative approaches, including digital health innovations and financing mechanisms to accelerate the implementation of the National Health Act and mandatory health insurance coverage.
“With enrollment in health insurance growing by 14 per cent over the past year, NHIA can push for greater inclusivity, particularly targeting the informal sector through flexible payment systems and partnerships with telecommunications companies.”
He called for stronger synergy between public and private health actors to ensure universal access to quality healthcare and sustainable reforms in line with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
Panelists from the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN) and Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN) echoed the sentiments, underscoring the private sector’s role in expanding insurance coverage and improving healthcare delivery.
They commended NHIA’s efforts toward driving reforms to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).