The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has commended the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his goodness to civil servants in the State.
The National President of the union, Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday, who made the commendation during the 113th anniversary celebration of the union and State Executive Council(SEC) meeting in Port Harcourt, said the happiness of the union for the return to power of the Governor is premised on his goodness to the entire workforce in the State and the implementation of long standing promotions of all deserving workers, with the payment of full financial entitlements to the workers, among other welfare policies of his administration for the public servants.
He assured Governor Fubara that members of the union would continue to be loyal to his administration and ensure that their support would enable him deliver his campaign promises through implementation of government policies.
While reflecting on the achievements of the union in the past 113 years of its existence, Comrade Sunday said the union has not deviated from the path of service delivery to the members, as the current leadership of the union is vigorously working in alliance with the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to elongate the terminal Grade level of Executive Officers and other allied cadres to enable them progress from Grade Level 14 to Grade Levels 15 and 16, to enable them have fulfilled careers in the service.
Comrade Sunday, who was represented at the event by the General Secretary of the union, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga, said the union would continue to sustain the principles of servant leadership such that the interest of members and welfare of its staff would be at the front burner in order to sustain the mission and vision of the union’s founding fathers.
In his welcome address, the Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah said Governor Fubara has done well in terms of his administration attending to the welfare needs of civil servants in the State, stressing that as the year is drawing to a close, the union expects the Governor to do more for the workforce by payment of Christmas bonus.
He commended the Governor for all that his administration has been doing for both civil servants and the generality of the people of the State, saying, the spontaneous response of his administration to massive infrastructural development of the State is second to none.
Osumah appealed to Governor Fubara for provision of operational bus to the union to ease movement and a parcel of land to build a befitting union secretariat.
He described NCSU as the mother of all industrial unions in the country, being the first labour movement in the country, established on August 19, 1912.
According to him, the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), the Trade Union Congress(TUC) and other industrial unions in the country are all offshoots and products of NCSU.
The labour leader noted that the union itself is older than Nigeria, since the Northern and Southern Protectorates were amalgamated in 1914, saying the union would continue to uphold the ideals for which it was established by its founding fathers.
He said if not for the state of emergency declared in the State, the celebration of the 113th anniversary of the union would have taken place in August but decided to keep it on hold until the return of democratic governance in the State.
In his goodwill message, the Rivers State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), Comrade Josiah Udoka Ugochukwu paid glowing tribute to the leadership of NCSU in the State for organising the event.
He said the union has ignited a flame of worker dignity since its founding in 1912 which has become a beacon for labour movement in the country, stressing that for over a century, the NCSU has not just endured history but has also forged and reshaped it with unyielding courage and resilience.
He noted that workers today are at a crucial moment of their national history, as they are confronted by towering economic challenges, including soaring inflation and harsh fiscal policies, which have made the theme of the celebration, “Navigating Economic Challenges, Strengthening Union Solidarity and Members’ Welfare”, “not just a topic, but our battle cry.”
“This is our moment to answer that call.But to conquer new frontiers, we must forge a new pact. The era of confrontation must give way to a powerful partnership for national progress.Recall that the civil service is the very engine of this nation, and a motivated workforce is its most vital fuel,” he said.
He said to adequately oil the engine for optimal performance, social dialogue that is continuous, built on mutual respect, and focused on a shared vision is required, saying, “Together, we can re-build a civil service that is digital, innovative, and empowered to deliver the dividends of democracy to every Nigerian.”
For calling for social dialogue, Ugochukwu said the TUC is not asking for a favour from government but stating a fundamental principle of industrial relations anchored on partnership.
“This partnership is a necessity, not a concession. It is the critical mechanism that determines the health of the relationship between the employee and the employer, and the trade unions. To ignore this is to invite discord and stagnation,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman Emeritus and former Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Opuoyibo Lilly West commended the union for celebrating its 113th anniversary, and expressed delight that the union is still standing and waxing strong in the face of debilitating challenges.
He particularly praised the state leadership of the union under the watch of Comrade Chukwuka Osumah, saying, the union is doing well.
He paid glowing tribute to the union chairman for his forthrightness, consistency and courage, which he exemplified during the period of emergency rule in the State.
He noted that when several others deviated from the course, the state chairman of the union chose a path, remained true to it,and stood his ground even in the face of threats.
On his part, the Rivers State Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Emecheta Chuku commended the NCSU in the State for having the right leadership, saying the leadership of the union in the State can be trusted and relied upon, as the union is playing a vital role in the development of the State.
He said the union and the Joint Negotiating Council in the State have enjoyed a robust relationship, contending that the 113 years of the existence of NCSU is 113 years of experience and wisdom.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of a keynote address by the Assistant General Secretary of the union, Comrade Dan Otakpo, who explored ways and means of mitigating the effects of the economic challenges facing public servants in the country.
He also harped on the need for improved union solidarity on the part of members of the union, saying, effective communication and participation in union activities are key.
