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Category: National

  • PENCOM inaugurates leadership council to shore up coverage gaps

    PENCOM inaugurates leadership council to shore up coverage gaps

    The National Pension Commission (PENCOM) has unveiled the Pension Industry Leadership Council (PILC), a multi-stakeholder consultative body aimed to foster synergy between the regulator and industry operators.

    Performing the unveiling ceremony on Thursday in Abuja, the Director General of PENCOM, Omolola Oloworaran says the body shall address persistent challenges plaguing the sector as well as expanding pension coverage.

    Oloworaran said PILC’s core mandates include expanding pension coverage, enforcing governance standards, and driving innovation across the industry to safeguard contributors’ interests.

    The PenCom DG also unveiled what they called Pension Revolution 2.0, which is a set of reforms championed by President Bola Tinubu.

    The initiative introduces a minimum pension guarantee and healthcare coverage for retirees, described as unprecedented in Nigeria’s pension history.

    She assured stakeholders that PenCom is working with government partners on new investment instruments and revised regulations to hedge against inflation and currency depreciation.

    Oloworaran added that contributors’ Retirement Savings Accounts would retain long-term value under the new measures.

    She explained that pension funds would be increasingly deployed into infrastructure, agriculture, affordable housing, and capital markets to spur jobs and growth without compromising safety.

    According to her, pensions are expected to serve as a pillar of social protection, inclusion, and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.

    Oloworaran disclosed that significant progress had been made on the N758 billion bond, noting that government efforts are ongoing.

    She also urged the media to champion advocacy for better retirement planning in the country. 

  • Unpaid benefits: Pensioners threaten nationwide ‘naked protest’

    Unpaid benefits: Pensioners threaten nationwide ‘naked protest’

    The Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has threatened a nationwide naked protest on Oct. 6 if government fails to implement pension increments and palliatives.

    The coalition’s National Chairman, Mr Mukaila Ogunbote, announced this during a news conference on Tuesday in Lagos.

    Ogunbote, who also chairs the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NIPOST Chapter, said pensioners had given government until September to settle arrears, increments and palliatives.

    He warned that failure to act would leave the pensioners with no choice but to embark on a nationwide naked protest on Oct. 6.

    According to him, the protest would symbolically expose government failures and highlight pensioners’ grievances before the public.

    Ogunbote recalled that in October 2023, President Bola Tinubu approved N35,000 for workers and N25,000 for pensioners as palliatives.

    He said workers received their payment within one month of approval, yet pensioners were still waiting for theirs nearly a year later.

    Ogunbote noted that workers had since demanded and received additional palliatives for ten months, while pensioners’ requests for six months’ worth remained unmet.

    He said President Tinubu had also directed an increase of N13,000 in pensions, but no implementation had followed from the Ministry of Finance or the Accountant-General.

    “When we enquired, we were told our N32,000 increment was omitted from both the 2024 and 2025 budgets. This is injustice,” Ogunbote declared.

    Mr Fashola Oluwo, a retiree from the Federal Ministry of Information, urged questioning of officials who failed to implement the President’s directive.

    Oluwo lamented that pensioners still struggled in spite of the increment being inadequate for the rising cost of living in Nigeria.

    He said many retirees could not afford essential medication, while some had died waiting for their pension increases.

    Another pensioner, Mrs Dupe Ogunniyi of FRCN, appealed to the First Lady to intervene with the President on behalf of retirees.

    She said many pensioners were supporting unemployed graduate children and relied solely on their pensions for survival.

    Mr Adebola Akinduture, former Chairman of the Lagos NUP, stressed that hunger was the central grievance of the retirees.

    “We are hungry. Food is medicine, yet without it, medicine is meaningless. Pensioners are starving,” Akinduture said.

    He vowed that pensioners would take to the streets naked on Oct. 6 if government ignored their demands. 

  • Sen Tinubu launches N925m national women empowerment scheme

    Sen Tinubu launches N925m national women empowerment scheme

    The First Lady, Sen  Oluremi Tinubu has flagged off a N925million empowerment scheme targeted at 18,500 women nationwide.

    The empowerment scheme shall be executed as joint programme of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

    Senator Tinubu inaugurated the disbursement on Thursday at Government House, Lokoja and said the scheme was aimed at boosting economic growth and supporting women entrepreneurs across the country.

    Represented by the wife of Kogi state Governor, Hajia Sefinat Ododo, she explained that the initiative targets 18,500 women nationwide, with 500 beneficiaries in each state, including the FCT.

    She said 500 Kogi women would each receive N50,000 grants to strengthen their small businesses and improve their economic stability.

    According to her, the programme was designed to support hardworking women traders and entrepreneurs who sustain their families while uplifting their communities.

    Tinubu stressed that empowering women was vital to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG-5 on gender equality and SDG-8 on decent work and economic growth.

    The initiative was made possible through a N1 billion donation by the Tony Elumelu Foundation to the Renewed Hope Initiative.

    The First Lady added that the scheme underscored RHI’s commitment to promoting women’s economic independence and strengthening households, communities and the nation.

    Secretary to the Kogi Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade, thanked the First Lady for remembering Kogi women and praised Elumelu’s philanthropic support.

    She urged the beneficiaries to use the funds wisely to expand their businesses and ensure quality education for their children.

    Kogi Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Fatima Momoh, said the programme fulfilled a vision to uplift women and transform communities through sustainable support.

    Momoh assured that her ministry would continue backing initiatives that promote women’s empowerment across the state.

    Hajia Sefinat Ododo presented N50,000 cash to a beneficiary during the Lokoja event.

    Grateful beneficiaries, including Aisha Salihu, lauded the First Lady and the Governor’s wife, saying the support would enhance their businesses and livelihoods.

  • Train derailment: House Cmte summons transport minister

    Train derailment: House Cmte summons transport minister

    After dishonouring earlier invitations, Blessing Onuh Committee issues the minister 48-hour ultimatum to appear

    The House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport has given the Minister of Transportation, Mr Sa’idu Alkali, 48 hours to appear over the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment.

    Chairman of the committee, Rep. Blessing Onuh (APC-Benue), issued the ultimatum on Tuesday during an investigative hearing in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that the Kaduna-bound train derailed on Aug. 26 at 11:09 a.m. between Kubwa and Asham stations.

    Also summoned are the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, and the Managing Director of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd., Mr Guan Shuai.

    Onuh explained that the ultimatum followed the minister’s failure to honour earlier invitations to explain the incident.

    She said it was unacceptable for the minister to “turn his back on Nigerians at a time they needed him most.”

    “A toad does not run in the daytime for nothing. We are on recess, but many cut their break and travelled from Lagos over this tragedy.

    “Only for the minister to snub parliament. We strongly object. Our people were endangered. This is not a joke. He must appear within 48 hours,” she declared.

    Onuh stressed that the committee seeks not only the immediate cause of the derailment, but also the remote and root causes to prevent future occurrences.

    Rep. Cyril Hart (PDP-Rivers) condemned the minister’s absence, saying that Alkali, as a former parliamentarian, should not be seen to dishonour the House.

    “Over 618 Nigerians could have died. This raises grave questions about the safety of our rail system.

    “For a former lawmaker to shun this committee when Nigerians need answers is betrayal. We cannot allow anyone to toy with lives,” Hart said. 

  • Angry ocean threatens Tinubu’s landmark Coastal Highway

    FG deploys advanced solutions to tackle ocean threat on the coastal highway under construction

    While critical economic activities suffer crushing setbacks due to deplorable state of roads in the hinterland, the Federal Ministry of Works lavishes scarce resources on Coastal Highway.

    The latest in the series of engineering trial-and-error is the deployment of advanced engineering solutions, including geotextiles and rock layering, to tackle an ocean threat on the controversial highway under construction.

    ‎‎The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, however, assured the public assurance on Monday during a tour of some roads and bridge projects in Lagos State that there was no cause for alarm.

    Umahi said that the ocean nearly broke into the carriageway at Kilometer 14.6, posing a  threat to the highway project.

    ‎He said that the ministry deployed advanced engineering solutions for reinforcement on the section.

    ‎”This additional work was not anticipated and has eaten into the project’s contingency fund,” he said.

    ‎The minister said that failure to address the matter could negatively affect  the entire project.

    ‎He commended the project contractor and supervisors for a swift response that saved the highway from ocean encroachment.

  • Kogi bye-election: INEC confirms receiving sensitive materials

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kogi  says it  has received sensitive materials for the Dekina-Okura II house of assembly bye-election in  the state.

    INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC)  in Kogi, Mr Oliver Agundu, made the disclosure on Friday.

    Agundu, who spoke through the commissions’s  Voters Education Officer in Kogi,  Mr Haruna Haliru, said the sensitive materials were collected from the  Central Bank of Nigeria  Zonal Office in Lokoja.

    He said the  commission is ready to commence distribution of the sensitive materials to  various polling units in the four affected wards for the election.

    “The Dekina-Okura II state constituency has a total of 78, 059 registered voters, out of which 76, 385 had collected their Permanent Voter Cards  and ready for the election, ” he said.

    The REC  said that only five out of the 18 registered political parties are contesting in the election.

    He listed the parties as  Accord, African Democratic Congress,  All Progressives Congress; Allied People’s Movement, and the  People’s Democratic Party.

    The REC  expressed satisfaction with the deployment of security operatives and observers for the election.

    He,  however, assured all stakeholders in the constituency of a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

  • Voter Reg.: INEC, security agencies to ensure seamless exercise in Lagos

    Ahead of the flag-off of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met, Wednesday in Lagos with heads of security agencies.   

    The meeting was under the auspice of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

    The meeting held at INEC headquarters in Sabo-Yaba, Lagos State.

    At the meeting were representatives of  the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Army, Department of State Security, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, and Federal Road Safety Commission.

    Others are: the National Youth Service Corps, Federal Fire Service, and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission

    Speaking, Prof. Ayobami Salami, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos, said the meeting was to kick-start a crucial partnership in preparation for the upcoming CVR starting on Aug. 18.

    According to Salami, the meeting is his inaugural engagement with ICCES members as the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the state.

    He commended the various security agencies present on their consistent for INEC operations, saying their collaboration had helped the commission to conduct better elections.

    “This meeting provides the platform for us to discuss our preparation and consider essential issues with respect to the security architecture of the state, and strategise in preparation for the exercise.

    “The CVR exercise presents an opportunity for eligible citizens to register, update their details and exercise their right to participate in our democratic process

    “The success of this exercise however, hinges on the security and stability provided by your agencies.

    “As we embark on this critical exercise, one cannot over-emphasise the pivotal role that your agencies play in ensuring the safety and security of our electoral process.

    “Your expertise and collaboration are indispensable in maintaining peace, preventing malpractices, and thereby upholding the integrity of our democratic endeavours,” Salami said.

    He said that INEC would always work with  ICCES to ensure a secure environment for voter registration, tame malpractices, prevent and respond to incidents of violence or intimidation, and enhance public confidence in the electoral process.

    “I look forward to a fruitful synergy with your agencies and pledge that INEC will work hand-in-hand with you to achieve our shared objectives.

    “Together, we can ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible process that strengthens our democracy,” Salami said.

    Giving more information on the forthcoming exercise, Mr Muyiwa Yussuf, INEC’s Head of Department, Voter Registration/ICT, said that the Online Pre-registration would start on Aug. 18, urging prospective eligible applicants to register online on INEC Portal via https://www.cvr.inecnigeria.org.

    Yussuf said that the In-Person Physical Registration would start on Aug. 25 at the 20 local government area offices and the state headquarters of INEC in the state.

    According to him, the exercise shall be all-year-round for a period as may be determined by the commission beginning from 9.00a.m. to 3.00p.m. daily, except Saturday and Sunday.

    He said that anyone on queue as at 3.00p.m. during the period would be accepted for registration.

    Yussuf said that those who just attained the age of 18, those who needed to replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and voters wishing to transfer their registration to a new location were eligible to participate in the exercise.

    He added that individuals who needed to update their voter information,including name, address ,could  also present themselves for the exercise.

    “It is very important to say that the commission would not tolerate double registration and registration of the underaged as there are many ways these can be detected,” he said.

    According to him, at the moment, Lagos State has 20 LGAs, 245 Registration Areas and 13, 325 Polling Units with a total of 7, 060,195 registered voters.

    He said that PVCs collected by voters as at February 2023 stood as 6,214,970 and a total of 845,225 uncollected PVCs.

    Speaking, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Lagos State Police Command, DCP Tijani Fatai, pledged the readiness of police and other security agencies to ensure a seamless exercise across the state.

    “It is our duty to protect lives and property-INEC and its officials are included. For us, we are ready to give adequate security backing to all activities that INEC is to carry out.

    “So, wherever the commission is going, we will provide its officials and materials with adequate security to make all those activities successful.

    “Let all the eligible residents be free to go out for their registration as their security is guaranteed,” he said. 

  • Missing N210trn: NNPCL to respond to senate query in 3 weeks

    The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has given Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) three weeks to respond to queries raised against it.

    The queries against the NNPCL were in connection with audit reports of 2017 to 2023, alleging unaccountability of N210 trillion.

    The committee, chaired by Sen. Ahmed Wadada, insisted that the amount in question was neither stolen nor missing but yet to be accounted for.

    The three-week window for explanations was given to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, after accepting his apology for past failed appearances before it.

    Ojulari had, after his apology to the committee, explained to its members that for satisfactory response from him on the 19 queries raised, he needed more time to dig into the technicalities and perspectives of the issues raised.

    “I’m just over 100 days in the office as the GCEO of NNPCL. I Still need time to do further digging, given the perspectives I have heard now into the issues.

    “This is coming in the midst of a huge national assignment, your explanation now changes my perspective about the issues.

    “I need to understand the issues myself so I can respond appropriately. Will get a team and please get the details properly reconciled so we can work to provide answers to the queries.

    “In doing this, I will surely engage the external auditors and other relevant groups,” he said.

    Though he requested for four weeks, the committee granted him three weeks which, according to it, is enough for the response expected from NNPCL.

    Explaining the nitty-gritty of the queries to the NNPCL GCEO, Wadada said that the N210 trillion unaccounted for was broadly in two components of N103 trillion liabilities and N107 trillion assets which, he said, must be accounted for.

    “There is none out of the 18 or 19 questions we have on NNPCL from us as a committee, neither did it come from the executive or the judiciary.

    “They are questions extracted from the audited financial statement of the NNPCL by the auditor-general covering 2017 to 2023.

    “Also, this committee had not, at any time, said the N210 trillion in question, as far as the queries are concerned, was stolen or missing.

    “What the committee is doing is required investigation on queries raised in the report, in line with its constitutional mandate.

    “Therefore, the committee is giving NNPCL three weeks to forward written responses to it on all the 19 queries, after which the GCEO will be invited along with other management staff for physical appearance and defence,” he said.

    NAN reports that before the ruling of the chairman, virtually all members of the committee had spoken on the seriousness of the issues at stake, but expressed optimism that the GCEO would clear the air on those issues.

    Sen. Victor Umeh (Anambra) said: “We are happy to have you because we have been waiting for you.

    “One thing that must be stated clearly is that we need transparency and NNPCL is in possession of Nigeria’s economic prosperity.”

    Sen. Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa), in his comments, said there was the need for the NNPCL management team to look into the issues raised since governance is a continuum.

    “The issues are germane and critical,” he said.

    Another member of the committee, Sen. Tony Nwoye (Anambra), said: “It is very important and germane to give them (NNPCL) fair hearing. Maybe the audited report is not correct.”

  • Tinubu orders personnel audit for reform of civil service

    Tinubu orders personnel audit for reform of civil service


    President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full personnel audit and skills gap analysis across the Federal Civil Service to improve capacity and overall performance.

    He gave the directive on Thursday in Abuja during the maiden edition of the 2025 International Civil Service Week.

    Tinubu said it was essential to assign competent individuals to appropriate roles for an efficient and effective public service.

    “We can only guarantee a high-performance culture by placing the right people in the right positions.

    “To that end, I have authorised a full Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis across the Federal Civil Service to build capacity,” he said.

    He urged stakeholders to complete the exercise promptly to enable reforms and create a more agile, skilled and responsive civil service.

    Tinubu described the civil service as “the engine room” for delivering public goods and effective governance throughout Nigeria.

    “Our civil servants are the quiet architects of stability, innovation, and public trust,” he added.

    He said the audit was part of a wider plan to align the civil service with global standards and digital transformation.

    Tinubu emphasised the importance of accurate and secure data to support evidence-based policy and international benchmarking.

    “Data is the new oil. Unlike oil, it becomes more valuable when refined and responsibly shared,” the President stated.

    He instructed MDAs to publish verified data in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

    Tinubu noted progress under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025.

    He commended the Head of Civil Service, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, for leading reforms in digitalisation and staff development.

    “Launching Service-Wise GPT and other innovations reflects exceptional leadership,” the President said.

    Walson-Jack said the conference was entirely self-funded through strategic partnerships and creativity.

    “If Nigeria must lead Africa, our Civil Service must lead first,” she declared.

    The conference was with the theme ‘Rejuvenate, Innovate and Accelerate,’ reflecting a drive for renewal. 

  • Media role crucial in enhancing nation’s security, stability — NGE 

    Media role crucial in enhancing nation’s security, stability — NGE 

    The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) says a nation’s security and stability can be enhanced by leveraging its diversity, with the media playing a crucial role in promoting the goal.

    The NGE said this in a statement on Sunday by its President, Mr Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren.

    Diversity, according to the guild, is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation, and  inclusive governance ensures that all segments of society are represented and included in decision-making processes.

    The NGE emphasised the media’s social responsibility in promoting diversity, tolerance, and understanding, while also highlighting the importance of national security and stability.

    ‘’The media can achieve this by highlighting diverse perspectives and experiences, combating hate speech, misinformation, and stereotypes, and fostering dialogue and understanding among different groups’’, the guild said.

    It announced  ‘’Building A Secure And Cohesive Nigeria: The Role of Dialogue, Inclusion and The Media” as the theme of its Biennial National Convention in Enugu, from June 26 to June 29.

    The NGE said that the convention would bring together no fewer than 400 editors, including prominent figures such as Prince Sam Amuka-Pemu, Publisher of Vanguard; and Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, former Presidential Spokesman.

    Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY/Arise News Channel, and Dr John Momoh, Chairman of Channels Television, are also expected at the forum.

    The convention will be declared open by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, according to the guild.

    “The Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, will serve as the Chief Host, while Dr. Momoh will chair the convention. Prince Amuka-Pemu, Chief Olusegun Osoba, and Chief Ugochukwu have been assigned roles as Fathers of the Day.

    “The Director-General of the State Security Services (SSS), Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, will deliver the keynote address, titled ‘’Nation’s Security Future: Harnessing Diversity for Peace/Stability and the Media’s Role.

    “The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, will also be at the national convention as Special Guest,” the NGE said.

    It said that the three-day convention would also witness the election of new executives to pilot the affairs of the professional body for the next two years.