The regular meeting of the examination bodies and Libraries Trade Group Council has been described as a critical organ of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions in positioning the union in its quest to respond to emerging challenges.
This was made known by the Delta State Head of Service, Mr. Reginald Bayoko while declaring open the biannual regular meeting of the examination bodies and Libraries Trade Group Council of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) held in Asaba.
Bayoko, who was the special guest of honour at the event attended by members of the body from the 36 states of the federation, expressed belief that the meeting was a veritable platform to discuss issues to enhance the growth and development of libraries and examination bodies in Nigeria to globally acceptable standards.
The head of service, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Civil Service Matters, Sir Emmanuel Okafor, lauded delegates and members of the body whom he said were partners in progress in the business of promoting a sound educational system.
He said that the partnership was also aimed at improving the reading culture and ensuring proper and standard conduct of examinations in the country.
While enjoining members to live up to their professional responsibilities and always be guided by the ethics of the profession, the Delta HOS commended examination bodies and Library Trade Group of NASU.
He disclosed that the Delta State Government, in its avowed commitment to promoting reading culture and providing a repository of information for the state, completed the ultra-modern state-of-the-art state Library, a fully equipped e-resource center.
“This, indeed, is a commendable feat given the dwindling reading culture amongst our youths.
“The center, since it was commissioned by His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has continued to witness a monumental increase in terms of the number of users as a research and examination center for Joint Admission and Matriculation students.
“I therefore, wish to commend His Excellency, the State Governor for this laudable initiative,” Bayoko said.
He expressed the Delta state government’s commitment to continue to maintain a friendly and harmonious relationship with labour unions in the state, even as he charged them to operate within the ambit of the law.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Delta State Branch of NASU, Comrade Chris Akpede and the chairperson of the Library Board branch of NASU, Comrade Mrs. Justina Achebo in their separate remarks, welcomed delegates to the meeting.
They said that the forum afforded them the opportunity to deliberate on various issues and challenges they faced in the course of carrying out their assignments at their workplace.
The union leaders listed challenges faced by the union to include poaching, shortage of staff, non-establishment of the office of the state librarian, non-inclusion of examination bodies and libraries in tertiary education trust fund (TETFUND) implementation by the federal government amongst others.
They, however, commended the Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the state head of service for their support to labour and the state workforce.
Library Trade Group of NASU comprises the West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO), National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB), Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the National Library of Nigeria.
Civil Servants in Delta State have been admonished to abide by the provisions of the extant rules and regulations of the civil service to enable them have a smooth sail throughout their service years.
According to the Chairman of the Delta State Civil Service Commission, Dame Patience Okwuofu, who gave the advice during the commission’s monitoring exercise visit to the Ministry of Urban Renewal, and that of Justice in the Prof. Chika Edozien Secretariat, Asaba.
Okwuofu stated that the commission had observed that some civil servants who applied for study leave did not get the relevant approvals before proceeding on the leave, explaining that such was against the extant rule and regulations of the service.
She advised officers to get relevant approval before embarking on study leaves and always abide by the terms of the approval to avoid sanctions.
Okwuofu also stated that civil servants who were close to retirement should notify the appropriate authorities six months before their retirement date to avoid over staying in the service, which she noted, could be inimical as they would be asked to refund salaries received when they ought to have exited the service.
In her remark, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Urban Renewal, Mrs. Charity Ehimen, thanked the chairman for her efforts and commitment in ensuring that civil servants in the state were promoted as at when due.
