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
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)
News
APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor
APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor
The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied receiving a letter from Gov. Dauda Lawal seeking to defect to the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were speculations across the state over Lawal’s move to defect to APC.
A statement issued in Gusau on Saturday by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, described the speculations as fabricated.
“The party came across a fabricated report purported to have emanated from one Tambarin Gusau claiming that Go Dauda Lawal has sent a letter to the party wanting to join the APC.
“The report is malicious, unfortunate, unfounded, mischievous and showed the unprofessional manner which some people can go in misleading others and causing chaos in a stable and a peaceful party like the APC.
“The APC has responsible channels where everything is done in a guided manner,” Idris said.
According to him, the party has not received any letter from Lawal as claimed through the imagination of the writer nor was the party aware of any recent moves by the governor to defect from the PDP to the APC.
“All members of the party and indeed the public especially in Zamfara should therefore disregard such report.,” Idris added.(NAN)
News
282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
A Qatar Airways passenger plane on Friday made an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos after developing a technical fault mid-flight.
The aircraft, which had 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board, was forced to land abruptly after the malfunction was detected while it was operating within Nigerian airspace.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
According to him, the agency was alerted to the situation through its 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines, prompting an immediate response from emergency officials.
He explained that upon receiving the distress call, the LASEMA Response Team (LRT) was swiftly deployed to the airport to assess the situation and provide necessary support.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the LASEMA Response Team confirmed that the aircraft was in distress,” the statement noted.
“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport with LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extreme high alert on the runway.
“Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs.”
“All passengers of the distressed airplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported, no loss of lives,” the statement said.
Despite the technical issue and the emergency landing, the agency stated that there was the aircraft experienced no major damage.
“The aircraft has been secured on the apron. Recovery activities have been completed,” the statement added.
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