Pensioners express frustration over delay in payment of their arrears
Pensioners express frustration over delay in payment of their arrears
Many pensioners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have expressed frustration over the delay in the payment of pension arrears.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), had in February approved N758 billion Treasury Bond for payment of the arrears.
NAN reports that this is subject to approval by the National Assembly for implementation, which it gave on July 22.
The bond was to clear all government liabilities under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for retirees for more than decades.
Following the protest by the pensioners over the delay in payment, President Bola Tinubu directed the expedited rollout of free healthcare access initiative for low-income retirees under the CPS.
The president also directed prompt implementation of long-overdue pension increases and a minimum pension guarantee, which would provide a safety net for the most vulnerable pensioners under the CPS.
The pensioners, who decried over their sufferings, also urged the immediate implementation of the N758 billion Treasury bond to increase their monthly pension in line with the present economic reality.
In an interview with NAN, Mr Mohammed Yusuf, urged the Federal Government to pay all their arrears immediately to enable them invest or do something tangible with it, not waiting until they die while waiting for promises.
“Some of us are dying, we need to enjoy our money before we die, just last week, four pensioners died due to hunger, no money for hospital bills, frustration, no money for house rent and cannot take care of their families..
“We keep hearing that there is no money but there is money to pay the sports players,” he said.
Yusuf said that most civil servants are poor, and while in service cannot afford to buy a house, have any investment or own a business, they were dedicated to their jobs.
“The salary was poor, no housing allocation for civil servants which is not supposed to be so.
“Other countries give affordable housing to their workers but ours is different,’’ he said.
Mr Eze Okorei, said that some workers could not afford three meals, adding that it more difficult for pensioners.
“We were happy after the announcement by the president that we are going to be paid as well as be given free healthcare access but when will all the promises be implemented.
“Our hopes were raised and some have died while waiting for the money to be paid. We are begging for the immediate implementation, we are too old to be on the streets,” he said.
Mr Lawal Sani said that the arrears should be paid in lump sum.
“We need to do something valuable with the money because if its given to us bit by bit, we will not be able to do something tangible with it.
“If mine is given to me, I will relocate to my home town and start farming and I know some other pensioners have their own plans too,” he said.
Sani commended the president for his efforts to clear all the arrears, and also urged others involved in the implementation to be serious.
Mrs Farida Shehu said they were going through a lot, adding that some pensioners had died in the struggle.
“My family and I are hungry. I can’t pay my children’s school fees. My landlord is on my neck and to top it all, I can’t access the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) anymore.
“If you look into my eyes, you will know that I need urgent medical attention. We the pensioners in this country are suffering,” he said.
“After working hard, if I knew I would suffer like this, I would not have given them the services I gave them,” he said.
Mr Wale Wasiu urged the Federal Government to come to their aid, saying: “today I can’t feed myself, see how my face is, its hunger.
“The economy is so harsh, we don’t have anything to live on now, every year they will tell us in the media that pension fund asset has increased, why are pensioners not paid?
“We have a constitution in the country that every five years salaries will be increased and pension will increase too,” he said.
Wasiu said they need their arrears so they could cater for their families and start a small business. (NAN)
News
Governor, Emir, over 3 million crowd gather for Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass’ Maulud
Governor, Emir, over 3 million crowd gather for Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass’ Maulud
An estimated 3 million followers of Tijaniyya Islamic Sect from within and outside the country, on Saturday, converged on Katsina for the celebration of Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass’ Maulud, 2026.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event which took place at Muhammad Dikko Stadium, Katsina, was organised by the “Majma’u Ahbab Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass”.
The Chairman, organising committee, Sheikh Muhammad Hadi-Balarabe, said that they anticipated about 4 million guests from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as West and North African countries.
NAN gathered that almost all hotel rooms in Katsina metropolis were occupied by those who came from far places, the situation made some residents to provide their unoccupied houses for their visitors as a demonstration of hospitality.
Those who could not afford to lodge in hotel rooms slept in the stadium in spite of the cold weather.
Before 9a.m. of Saturday, the stadium had already filled to capacity, both the seats and pitch were occupied by people, while all available surrounding spaces inside the stadium were later occupied by people.
The dual carriage road linking to the venue from the WTC roundabout up to Barhin roundabout was filled up by people.
NAN also observed that the event presented opportunities for traders, especially those selling food, water, soft drinks, herbal medicine, clothing materials, books, among others to make brisk businesses.
Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru-Bauchi, thanked the Katsina State Government for hosting the historic event and prayed Allah to bring lasting peace, stability and prosperity to the state, Northern Nigeria and the country in general.
In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, urged Muslims to continue to stand firm in obeying the commandments of their creator.
He advised them to intensify efforts in seeking Allah’s forgiveness, follow the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), endeavour to seek for knowledge, and engage in business activities to become self reliant.
Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina, thanked the organisers for choosing his state to host the 2026 Maulud.
He appreciated the scholars for offerings prayers for peace and stability in the state and the country at large.
Radda revealed that with such prayers, peace was gradually returning to the state and urged them to sustain the prayers for the overall betterment of the state and Nigeria.
Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass’ eldest son, Sheikh Mahi Ibrahim-Nyass, represented by his younger brother, Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim-Nyass, prayed Allah to repose the soul of the revered Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman-Bauchi, who passed away some months ago.
He urged the Muslims across the globe to continue to be united, love one-another and uphold the sect firmly.
A special prayer was also offered for Katsina, Nigeria and the leaders. (NAN)
News
Expatriate kidnapped as Police officer is shot dead by suspected gunmen
Expatriate kidnapped as Police officer is shot dead by suspected gunmen
Unknown gunmen on Saturday invaded Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, abducting an expatriate and killing a police officer attached to him.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan.
Olayinka said the police officer was killed while repelling the attack, adding that some of the abductors sustained gunshot injuries.
“There was an attack at Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, where unidentified gunmen stormed the facility in a commando-style operation.
“One police officer tragically died while repelling the attack, injuring some assailants, and the Chinese expatriate principal was abducted,” Olayinka added.
He said the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, ordered the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Operations to lead anti-kidnapping and tactical teams to the scene.
According to him, bush-combing operations are ongoing, while investigations continue to rescue the victim and arrest those responsible. (NAN)
News
President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing
President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after participating in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026).
Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
The president attended the summit alongside some members of his cabinet.
On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The agreement is aimed at deepening economic cooperation, boosting bilateral trade and investment, and enhancing technology transfer.
It will also expand collaboration in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining and renewable energy.
In his address at the summit, Tinubu announced that Nigeria and the UAE would jointly host INVESTOPIA in Lagos in February.
The initiative is designed to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into Nigeria.
Tinubu also said Nigeria targets mobilising up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance.
He said the funds would support energy transition reforms and expand nationwide access to electricity. (NAN)
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