The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has promised the people of the state that his administration is dedicated to ensuring that civil servants are given the respect they deserve, to enhance the efficiency and productivity of the state.
He explained that this commitment is based on his administration's understanding and acknowledgment of the challenges faced by civil and public servants in the state.
Fubara made this promise while speaking to members of the Forum of Rivers State Government Teachers with Doctor of Philosophy, who were peacefully appealing at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The forum members were at the Government House to request their transfer from public primary and secondary schools to tertiary institutions in the state.
Represented by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Fubara assured them that his government would pay close attention to the issue, keeping in mind the administration's core objectives of always doing what is right and fair in all situations to achieve the best results for the people of Rivers.
He said, “Basically, the issue here is with PhD holders who are employed by the state and are seeking appropriate placement.
“You are already employees of the Rivers State Government, but you have attained a level where you deserve promotion, and that is the desire of everyone.
“You need to understand that our current governor, given his background as a technocrat and civil servant, understands and acknowledges the challenges faced by civil and public servants in the state.
“When it comes to workers’ issues, we don’t advise him, he will rather advise us, and that is how it is because he went through it from the beginning of his days as a young graduate. He was also a teacher before he transferred to the mainstream civil service.
“So, he truly understands your challenges. In everything he does, he tries to do what is right and fair, and what will bring the best benefit to Rivers State. So, your case can never be different. ”
The governor also rejected claims that obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Rivers was a scam, encouraging the younger generation aspiring for such an education to never believe that, as this perception will never be associated with his administration.
He added, “When your forum coordinator spoke, he said that in Rivers State, PhD is a scam. PhD can never be a scam. Let the younger ones who aspire to get their PhD never get the feeling that PhD is a scam.
“What is a scam is the PhDs obtained from Ariaria Market here and there. Those are the ones that you can call a scam. If you genuinely studied for and earned your PhD, nobody can take it away from you, because the personal growth you gained from it, by the grace of God, can lead you to the peak of whatever is your ambition in life.
“So, I want to assure you that, the idea that PhD is a scam, this government will never allow it to happen.”
Fubara, however, suggested that they should get ready for screening in case any action is taken to address the issue, which is the right thing to do.
“However, you must also realize that when it's time for employment in universities, you have to undergo screening, because these days, many people who claim to have PhDs sometimes bring shame to the PhD itself.
“Therefore, for every job or transfer, you must undergo proper screening so that they can be sure that your Ph.D. is genuinely valuable, and you deserve to be placed correctly.”
