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Fubara Approves N85,000 Minimum Wage For Rivers Workers, Payments Begin November

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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved an increase in the minimum wage for civil servants in the state to N85,000.

This decision, aimed at easing the burden of current economic challenges, was reached during a closed-door meeting with representatives of the organized labour under the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council on Friday at Government House, Port Harcourt.

Dr. George Nwaeke, Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, addressed the media after the meeting, confirming the governor’s approval of the new minimum wage, which surpasses the national rate. He stated that the government will begin payments in November 2024.

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“He (Governor Fubara) has set a figure that is higher than the national minimum wage, approving N85,000.00. This is a significant development for civil servants in Rivers State, who have never had it this good since the state’s inception,” Nwaeke said.

READ ALSO: 21 Graduates Of Wellspring Varsity Inducted Into Computing Profession

When asked about the payment of arrears, Dr. Nwaeke revealed that a technical committee has been established to develop a workable payment plan that will also address issues related to arrears.

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“The committee, which I will serve as Deputy to the Secretary to the State Government, will iron out the details regarding the payment of arrears and inform the public accordingly,” he explained.

Comrade Emecheta Chuku, Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, described the N85,000 minimum wage as a significant gesture from the governor, showing his care and support for the workers. He expressed appreciation for the governor’s dedication, despite the ongoing challenges in the state.

READ ALSO: Ogun To Pay Above N70,000 Minimum Wage For Workers

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“For the governor to approve this new minimum wage amidst all the difficulties is a clear demonstration of his commitment to the well-being of the workers. We are overjoyed by this decision,” Chuku remarked.

Similarly, Rivers State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, highlighted that Rivers is now among the top states in the country in terms of minimum wage, matching Lagos State’s recently approved wage.

“With Lagos and Rivers both approving N85,000, but given their differing IGRs, this places Rivers State at the forefront. The governor has proven once again that he is the most labour-friendly governor in Nigeria, and we fully support him,” Agwanwor said.

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The labour leaders pledged to relay the governor’s decision to the workers and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Governor Fubara throughout his administration.

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Court Bars CCETC From Entering Ossiomo Land, Using Its Property

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An Edo State High Court in Benin has restrained Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Company Limited (CCETC) from entering the land of Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited pending the hearing and determination of motion of notice.

Hon. Justice Mary Itsueli—vacation judge, gave the restraining order in an ex-perte motion filed before the Honourable Court by Emmanuel Usoh, counsel to Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited.

In the suit marked: B/242/2025, Ossiomo Investment Limited, Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited, Ossiomo Offsites and Utility Limited, Quadrant Gas Development Company Limited are the claimants while Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Company Limited (CCETC) stands as defendant.

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Usoh had, on behalf of Ossiomo Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited, approached the court, sought an interim injunction restraining CCETC from gaining access to the land or utilising any property belonging to the claimant.

READ ALSO:Ossiomo Restores Power To Customers After Barely Two Weeks Outage

Usoh sought an interim order restraining “the Defendant whether by itself, agents, representatives, Directors, staff, privies assigns, or anyone directly or otherwise and howsoever described from parading itself as a member or a shareholder of the 2nd Claimant or relying o using the Joint Venture Agreement pending the hearing and determination o the Motion on Notice.”

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In the enrollment of order dated September 11, 2025, Justice Itsueli, said having “given a most careful consideration to the application, supporting affidavit and annexures, I am minded to grant the interim order of injunction.”

The vacation judge, therefore, ordered that, “The Defendant whether by itself, privies, assigns and anyone directly or otherwise and howsoever described are restrained from accessing, utilizing the infrastructure of the Claimants including the 33KVA lines, gas engines and gas infrastructure built by the Claimants to supply gas to the power plant and generate electricity supply whether by bulk sales or transmission to corporate entities or individuals in Edo State pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed.”

Hon. Itsueli also ordered “the Defendant whether by itself, agents, representatives, Directors, staff, privies, assigns, or anyone directly or otherwise and howsoever described are restrained from parading themselves member or shareholder of the 2nd Claimant or relying or using the Joint Venture Agreement pending the pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed.”

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READ ALSO:Ossiomo, Chinese Impasse: This Is Our Story — Management

Recall that Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited and CCETC have been in ownership tussle which led to the power plant being shut down on September 1, 2025.

Speaking during a press briefing on the latest in the power tussle between Ossiomo and its investment partners, Usoh said, CCETC, having aware of the restraining order, had so far approached the arbitrary panel in Singapore.

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He said: “CCETC, being aware of the restraining order, also immediately approached the arbitrary panel for arbitration in Singapore. The rationale behind this update is for the whole world to know that Singapore, being the seat of economics arbitration globally, is aware of the issues happening between Ossiomo and CCETC. We had the opportunity of seeing the copy of the arbitration, and we are replying accordingly.”

On Ossiomo and Edo State Government, Usoh disclosed: “Our relationship with the Edo State Government is what we call Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Ossiomo develops power and sells to Edo State Government at market value. They are our landlord, we cannot owe grudge against the government. My appeal to the government is to do business with us so that everyone in Edo will benefit.”

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IPF Celebrates Otuaro On His Birthday Anniversary

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The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has felicitated with Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, on the occasion of his birthday.

A statement issued by the secretary of the body, Tare Magbei, commended Otuaro for his “steady leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme,” which according to the forum has “continued to strengthen peace, rehabilitation, and development in the Niger Delta.”

READ ALSO: Otuaro Lauds Tinubu For Backing PAP’s Peacebuilding Process In Niger Delta

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Your efforts in providing opportunities for ex-agitators and in advancing stability across the region stand as clear evidence of your dedication to the people and progress of our land.

“As you mark this new year of life, we join your family, friends, and well-wishers in praying for good health, wisdom, and greater success in the service of the Niger Delta and Nigeria.”

 

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JUST IN: Okpehbolo Appoints New VC For AAU

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Edo State governor, Monday Okpehbolo, has approved the appointment of Professor (Mrs.) Eunice Eboserehimen Omonzejie as the new Vice-Chancellor of the state-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.

A statement issued late night by Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, said her appointment takes immediate effect.

According to the statement, Prof. Omonzejie was appointed amongst the three names submitted by the Governing Council of the university to the state government.

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READ ALSO: Okpebholo Approves Construction Of 500-room Hostel For AAU

The statement partly reads, “Professor (Mrs.) Eunice Eboserehimen Omonzejie
Professor Omonzejie is a distinguished scholar of French and Francophone African Literatures and a long-serving academic in the Department of Modern Languages at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

“She is a prolific researcher and editor, with contributions to African and Francophone literary studies, gender studies, and cultural studies.

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“She has served as the President of the Ambrose Alli University Chapter of the National Association of Women Academics (NAWACS), where she has championed mentoring, research, and advocacy for female academics and students.

“Professor Omonzejie has co-edited several seminal works including French Language in Nigeria: Essays in Honour of UFTAN Pacesetters and Language Matters in Contemporary West Africa, and is the author of Women Novelists in Francophone Black Africa: Views, Reviews and Interviews,” the statement added.

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