From Francis Sadhere, Delta 

Delta State has emerged as the best-performing state in liquidity rating among Nigeria’s 36 states, Commissioner for Finance, Sir Fidelis Okenmor Tilije, has disclosed.

Tilije attributed the development to fiscal discipline, improved internally generated revenue and prudent management of public funds by the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

The commissioner made the disclosure during a meeting with management and staff of the Ministry of Finance in Asaba, where he outlined the financial policies and strategies supporting the state government’s development agenda.

He said the administration’s M.O.R.E Agenda had strengthened the state’s financial position through responsible borrowing practices, revenue diversification and reforms designed to improve public financial management.

According to him, Delta State is currently financing its 2026 procurement cycle and implementing major projects across the road, bridge, healthcare and education sectors without taking on new loans.

Tilije described the government’s zero-borrowing approach as a deliberate fiscal policy aimed at meeting development needs with available resources while preventing the accumulation of additional debt.

He explained that the expansion of the state’s revenue base, particularly through non-oil economic activities and improved internally generated revenue, had contributed significantly to its financial stability.

The commissioner stressed that the increase in IGR was not achieved through higher tax rates but through reforms that strengthened revenue collection, widened the tax net, improved compliance and checked leakages.

He added that the government was also working towards introducing more economically sustainable empowerment programmes to improve livelihoods, stimulate economic activities and create greater opportunities for residents.

On workers’ welfare, Tilije said the state had maintained regular salary payments to more than 60,000 public servants, with salaries consistently paid between the 24th and 25th of every month.

He also cited the institutionalisation of the 13th-month salary for public servants as evidence of the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and financial security.

In the health sector, the commissioner said the government had sustained free medical services for pregnant women and children below five years of age in government hospitals.

He noted that efforts were also ongoing to upgrade primary healthcare centres across the state to improve access to essential medical services.

Tilije assured residents that the administration would continue to prioritise fiscal responsibility, infrastructure development and investment in human capital, maintaining that prudent management of public resources remained central to achieving its development objectives.

He urged Deltans to support Governor Oborevwori’s re-election bid in 2027, expressing confidence that a continuation of the administration would enable it to consolidate its achievements and pursue further development across the state.

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) are considering areas of cooperation to improve their operations and strengthen service delivery.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, received the JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, and his delegation at the Service’s Operational Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, on Friday, October 16, 2026.

During the meeting, Adeniyi praised JAMB for its progress over the years, particularly its use of technology, timely release of examination results and improved placement of candidates into tertiary institutions.

He said the Board’s adoption of technology had made its operations more efficient and improved the process of placing candidates in higher institutions.

“The improvement JAMB has recorded over the years, particularly through the integration of technology into its operations, is commendable,” Adeniyi said.

He expressed confidence in Aina’s ability to sustain the gains and urged the Board’s management team to support his leadership.

The Customs chief also welcomed JAMB’s offer to make its electronic facilities available to the Service.

He explained that Customs officers serving across the country sometimes need designated centres to sit examinations and carry out other official activities.

He said access to the facilities would make it easier for the Service to organise such exercises when necessary.

On JAMB’s request for operational vehicles, Adeniyi acknowledged the importance of transportation to the Board’s nationwide activities.

He said the Service would explore possible ways to assist, depending on available resources and the applicable framework.

Aina said the visit was aimed at establishing a working relationship between the two organisations and identifying areas of mutual support.

“We want to formally come and introduce ourselves. We recognise the important work the Nigeria Customs Service is doing and are aware of the operations you carry out,” he said.

The JAMB registrar disclosed that the Board serves about five million people annually, operates Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Nigeria and conducts examinations in more than 15 countries.

He added that JAMB provides electronic services to government agencies and professional bodies, noting that its nationwide operations require adequate vehicles to reach communities, including local government areas, for candidate verification and monitoring of examination standards.

Aina stressed that effective transportation was necessary to ensure proper supervision, protect the integrity of examinations and maintain compliance with established procedures.

Both organisations expressed their willingness to explore practical areas of cooperation, share available resources and support each other in addressing their operational needs.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has suspended its indefinite strike and directed all affected workers, particularly primary and secondary school teachers to resume work on Wednesday.

Chairman of the union in FCT, Knabayi Adalo announced the suspension in a communique issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

Adalo explained that the decision followed the conclusion of conciliatory talks between the labour union, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Management of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

He said that the resolutions were formally adopted at the end of an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held at the Labour House, Central Business District, Abuja.

According to him, the suspension was agreed upon in the spirit of social dialogue and industrial harmony following key concessions reached regarding teachers’ career progression and administrative directives.

“On vacancy provision for education officers, it was resolved that promotion vacancies for education officers will align with established positions declared by the FCT Education Secretariat.

“The council noted that an upcoming exit of directorate officers would clear the path for the upward mobility of eligible officers.

“Also, following approval from the FCT Executive Council and subsequent communication to the FCT Civil Service Commission on the 2025 promotion examination, a new date will be announced to allow qualified candidates to take the examination.

“Regarding the deployment of officers benefiting from the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers back into classrooms, stakeholders agreed to maintain the FCT Executive Council’s directive, stepping down the process until further notice,” he said.

Adalo, however, issued conditions to guarantee full compliance by authorities.

He said that the NLC would set up a dedicated monitoring committee tasked with enforcing the agreed terms within specified timelines.

He warned that any failure by the FCTA or relevant authorities to implement the agreements would trigger an automatic resumption of the strike without prior notice.

He informed workers who participated in the strike that the union had secured a binding agreement that no worker or teacher would face reprisals, penalties, or victimisation for participating in the industrial action.

He commended the resilience of FCT teachers and praised the solidarity displayed by affiliate unions, the Ministry of Labour, and the FCTA management during negotiations.

The NLC had on Oct. 7, directed all workers in the FCT Administration, including those in the private sector, to commence an indefinite strike over unresolved labour disputes and policy grievances affecting teachers. (NAN)