Daily Detail

Governor Umo Eno's wife's death, strange - Senator Ibok Essien

The Political Leader of Ikot Ekpene and the founder of Ritman Schools, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien has described the death of the wife of Akwa Ibom Governor, Late Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno as strange to him and the people of the State, noting that there's no justifiable reason for such death.

The Senator stated this in a condolence message to the Governor made available to news men in Uyo.

In the Statement, Essien lamented that the demise is not only sudden but unexpected, thereby making her reign as First Lady of Akwa Ibom State very short.

The statement reads in part: "Your Excellency, it has been the very first time the phenomenon of death seems to be strange, not only to me, but to my family, students and management of Ritman Schools, the entire Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Senatorial District and Akwa Ibom State in general. Strange because there's no convincing reason our beloved and companionate mother, Her Excellency, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno should suddenly and unexpectedly leave us within a twinkling of an eye, historically, at a time we are still in the euphoria of the 37th Anniversary celebration of our dear State.

It is strange because one year and four months is too short for her reign as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State. Her compassion, motherly love and generosity exhibited through her pet project, GOLDEN INITIATIVE FOR ALL (GIFA) in addition to her unquantifiable support to you, emotionally and spiritually within this short reign made her an asset to both the First family and the entire state, particularly, the widows, the needy, the poor and Akwa Ibom women."

Further, the Senator said the Governor's wife's death has put the entire State in a fix, explaining that everyone is mourning, irrespective of political affiliation.

While consoling the Governor and the First family on behalf of his family together with the entire Ritman Schools and the people of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area and Senatorial District Essien emphasized that the bible in 1st 1st Thessalonians 4:18 admonishes Christian to console one another in time like this and therefore assured the Governor an all time support and prayers.

"Her demise has put the entire State in a fix as everyone is mourning painfully irrespective of political affiliation and consoling one another just as the Bible teaches in 1st Thessalonians 4:18 that we should console one another.

As the entire State joins the First family to mourn and reflect on her untimely and sad departure, my family and I, together with the entire Ritman Schools, people of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area and Senatorial District deeply share in your grief. We have never left you alone as our amiable Governor and as such, be rest assured that you are not alone in this difficult moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire First family. Our support to you and your government is in thick and thin as well as in good times and bad times. Be consoled that her legacies live on both in the church and the society," the Statement said.

President Bola Tinubu has approved N70,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the country.

FG Approves Salary Increase for Civil Servants

The Federal Government has approved an increase of between 25% and 35% in salary Increase for Civil Servants on the remaining six Consolidated Salary Structures

The Salary Structure is the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS) and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).

It will be recalled that those in the Tertiary Education and Health Sectors had already received their increases which involved Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS)
for Universities.

For Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, it involved the
Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS).

The Health Sector also benefitted through the Consolidated Medical
Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure (CONHESS).

A statement signed by the Head of Press, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Emmanuel Njoku said the increases take effect from 1st January 2024.

The Federal Government has also approved increases In pension of between 20% and 28% for pensioners on the Defined Benefits Scheme in respect to the above-mentioned six consolidated salary structures with effect from 1st January 2024.