WORKERS DAY; Cross River State to lift embargo on Civil Servants’ promotion

To mark the 2023 Workers’ Day celebration, the Cross River State government has reiterated its resolve to commence the implementation of promotions from 2016 to 2023.

The Governor, Professor Ben Ayade made the remark through a representative, the Secretary to the State Government, Miss Tina Agbor at this year’s celebration in Calabar, the state capital, southern Nigeria.

Ayade, who had earlier announced an extension of teachers’ retirement age and service years from 60 to 65 years and 35 to 40 years respectively, said that the implementation of outstanding promotions would be implemented in the state civil and public service.

It would be recalled that on assumption of office in 2015, the Governor placed an embargo on the implementation of promotions for staff across all sectors of the civil and public service.

He said, “In the spirit of workers’ day celebration and in fulfilment of our commitment to improve the welfare of our civil servants, this administration has lifted the embargo on implementation of promotions. All promotions from 2016 to 2023 would be implemented.”

Continuing he said, “In the same vein, we have also increased the retirement age of teachers in the primary and secondary school sector from 60 to 65 years and extended teachers’ service year from 35 to 40 years.

“In the last eight years, we have endeavoured to pay salaries when many richer states have not or pay in percentages. Workers should be appreciative of government gesture and understand its restraints by being continuously productive,” Ayade stated.

Unfulfilled Promises

The Chairman of the Cross River State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC Mr. Olayi Gregory expressed dissatisfaction with the unfulfilled outstanding promises of government after the end of the November 2021 strike action.

Gregory recalled that the union had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the State government on the implementation of agreements reached during the two months industrial action.

“Government had agreed to set aside N50 million monthly from January 2022 for the payment of gratuities to state and local government retirees. It is regrettable that since the first tranche of N200 million was disbursed, not a penny has been subsequently added to sustain the payment of gratuities.

“Labour also expects quick intervention by the governor and that the implementation of promotion of workers in the state and local government be effected on or before May 31, 2023.“ Gregory demanded.

The state chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Monday Ogbodum reminded the governor of the need to employ more workers due to the mass retirement in 2023.

The labour leaders, however, appealed to the governor-elect, Prince Bassey Otu to as a matter of urgency implement policies that would enhance the service towards efficiency and productivity.

University Staff To Receive Service Award

Meanwhile, more than one hundred and ten staff of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have been selected as beneficiaries of its maiden Staff Meritorious Service Award to mark the institution’s 35th convocation ceremony.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi gave the hint at a press conference in Calabar, the state capital.

Professor Obi in her remark stated, “This is a novel development and it is a deliberate design to encourage and appreciate some staff of the University, who have proved their mettle in their post of duty and have impacted positively on the progress of the institution.

“We are going to for the first time give awards to staff across all categories and levels; from lower cadre to senior, academic to non-academic. We had planned to give this award in 2022, but the strike truncated the arrangements. So now, we are presenting these staff with the 2022 award and at the end of this 2023, we will appreciate more staff,” Obi disclosed further.

She explained that in as much as the institution has a zero tolerance level for corrupt practices, the institution has decided to reward hardwork, dedication, integrity, loyalty, punctuality and loyalty of its outstanding employees.

Investiture

The Vice Chancellor said that the newly appointed Chancellor, the Emir of Kano State, Aminu Ado Bayero would be inducted during the weeklong convocation activities.

“The chancellor of the university, Aminu Ado Bayero is due to arrive Calabar for a very significant event on Thursday May 4th, 2023. It is a milestone, the investiture of the 6th Chancellor, who is the current Emir of Kano.”

According to Obi, the investiture of the chancellor would be followed by a command performance in his honour, while earlier in the day, the Chief of Staff to the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari would be delivering the convocation lecture.

She said that the “Renowned diplomat and seasoned researcher will be speaking on the subject ‘The Leadership and Fellowship Question in Nigeria: Imperative of Ethical Re-Orientation.”

The UNICAL Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that 7,769 students would be convoking with the awards of first degrees, diplomas, Master’s degrees, Post Graduate Diplomas, Sandwich and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Obi explained that the convocation ceremony would be held on Friday, May 5th and Saturday, May 6th respectively at the university’s stadium.