NEWS
FG to Pay Accrued Pensions Soon- PenCom
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) on Tuesday in Lagos assured that all outstanding pension liabilities would be paid soon.
Ms Omolola Oloworaran, Acting Director-General, PenCom, gave the assurance at a workshop on the Online Enrolment Application for Pension Desk Officers (PDOs) of Treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) of the Federal Government.
Oloworaran noted that concerted efforts by critical stakeholders had reached advanced stage, to clear all the Federal Government’s outstanding pension liabilities under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
She said that the efforts put in place would also provide lasting solutions that would address the problems of inadequate funding and delay in fund releases for the payment of accrued rights.
The acting director-general reiterated the commitment of PenCom to continuous service improvement in the pension industry, so that contributors and retirees received the best possible experience regarding pension matters.
“Although the current delay in release of funds by the Federal Government for the payment of retirees’ accrued rights negates the cardinal objective of the CPS of payment of retirement benefits as and when due.
“I would like to assure you that this situation will soon be resolved,” she said.
Oloworaran also assured that the commission would continue to collaborate and work closely with the PDOs towards a successful 2024 Online Enrolment Exercise, scheduled to commence on Oct. 7 and subsequent periods.
She stated that the workshop kick-started the final preparations towards commencement of the 2024 online enrolment exercise for 2025 prospective retirees of Treasury-funded MDAs.
“Recall that, in line with its statutory mandate, PenCom conducts annual pre-retirement verification and enrolment exercise for employees of Federal Government Treasury-funded MDAs.
“That is employees who are scheduled to retire within the next fiscal year.
“The objective of the exercise is to obtain accurate information of prospective retirees that will enable PenCom determine their Accrued Pension Rights for budgetary provision by the Federal Government,” she said.
According to her, since year 2021, the commission has automated the retirees’ enrolment process with the deployment of the Online Enrolment Application.
Oloworaran noted that the online enrolment application had the capabilities to register, verify, and enrol prospective retirees of Treasury-funded MDAs.
She explained that the Application had four modules namely: Retiree Module, MDA Module, PFA Module and PenCom Module.
“As indicated, the Application was designed with the MDA Module that enables the PDOs to upload information of retirees/prospective retirees.
“Therefore, in recognition of the significant role of the PDOs in the retirees’ enrolment process, the commission deems it necessary to organise annual workshops for the PDOs.
“Indeed, workshops like this are integral to the commission’s mandate and commitment to enhancing the knowledge and building the capacity of stakeholders in the pension industry,” she said.
According to the acting director-general, the objective of the workshop is to train the PDOs with the requisite knowledge on the relevant modules of the enrolment application.
Oloworaran noted that, specifically, the workshop would focus on addressing the gaps observed in the previous exercises and enlighten PDOs on the modalities for the upcoming enrolment exercise for 2025 prospective retirees.
She added that PenCom held the physical workshop to provide PDOs with the necessary hands-on training that would enable them tackle the operational and technical challenges encountered during the enrolment process.
The PenCom boss said: “I, therefore, urge you all to actively participate and ask questions as well as seek further clarifications, where necessary, so as to ensure proper understanding.
“Let me also state that the commission is not oblivious of the challenges being experienced occasionally with the Enrolment Application due to downtimes.
“It is important to note that these downtimes mostly occur during the last minute rush by retirees and relevant stakeholders to meet the enrolment deadline.
“The commission is committed to providing support to PDOs during those few periods of downtimes.
“I am particularly pleased to inform you that the commission has already engaged a Consultant to design and develop a new Enrolment Application.
“An application that will not only address these issues, but also provide users with a more friendly and seamless experience during the enrolment process.” (NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have been slated for burial on November 1.
Chairman of the burial committee, Senator Ben Obi, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Alongside with the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb Okey Emuchay and burial sub-committee chairmen, Senator Osita Izunaso, Gen.
Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and others, Obi unveiled a series of activities culminating into the actual burial ceremony.“Our message today is to convey the dates for the burial of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Lagos day of tributes, Wednesday 16th October 2024 at Eko Hotels and Convention Centre.
“Abuja Day of Tributes Friday 18th October, 2024 at the National Ecumenical Centre.
“Enugu Day of tributes, Saturday 26th October with a brief stop at Ohanaeze headquarters, 7 Parkland GRA Enugu while the main event will be held at the Okpara Square.
“Owerri Service of Songs Tuesday 29th October 2024. Commendation Service on 1st November in Owerri and Imo day of burial on Friday, 1st November 2024,” he said.
He added that further details will be communicated in due course.
On whether the Federal Government would participate in the burial, Senator Obi said the committee will visit President Bola Tinubu to intimate him about the transition of the statesman and details of his burial.
“We will be visiting President Tinubu to formally announce to him details of this transition and I am sure the President knows all that Chief Iwuanyanwu had done and he will do the needful,” he said.
Asked whether the late newspaper publisher had regrets about his inability to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and ensure the realization of a restructure federation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo scribe said Chief Iwuanyanwu died a fulfilled man because he never shies away from doing his best in the circumstance.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu and I visited Kanu in jail and I think that was his last official assignment before his demise.
“Prior to that, he had never missed any opportunity to call for the release of Kanu.
“On restructuring, he never minced his words on equity, fairness and justice and he knew that he couldn’t do it alone.
“So he operated with the South-South PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and Afenifere. He asked for parity in the number of states in each geopolitical zone.
“We in Ohanaeze will continue to pursue these issues that were very dear to his heart and we want to give the assurances that we will not fail,” Obi said.
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
Ohanaeze Ndigbo President Iwuanyanwu for Burial Nov. 1
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief...
Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to UNGA
SharePresident Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has...
NECO Releases 2024 SSCE Results
ShareThe National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent...
NDDC Unveils Initiative to Enhance food Security in N’ Delta Programmes
Share The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is committed to advancing projects and programmes that enhance food security...
Kwara Govt. Seals off 14 Buildings over Concerns about Environment
Share The Kwara Government has in the past few days sealed off 14 buildings due to environmental concerns, the state’s...
Microsoft Boss Warns of Meddling Ahead of U.S. Presidential Election
Share Brad Smith, the president of technology giant Microsoft has issued a stark warning regarding foreign attempts to influence the U.S....
New Dangote Varsity Pro-chancellor Promises to Turn Challenges into Opportunities
Share The newly-appointed Pro-chancellor of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Justice Abdu Aboki, has promised to turn...
KWASIEC says 21,000 Applied for 7,000 ad Hoc job During Saturday’s LG Elections
Share Alhaji Mohammed Baba-Okanla, Chairman of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), says more than 21,000 persons applied for...
FCT Civil Service Commission Begins Regularisation of FCTA Staff Appointments
Share The Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission has begun the regularisation of staff appointments in the FCT Administration and...
FCT primary Teachers Resume Strike over Unresolved Welfare Concerns
Share The Federal Capital Territory Wing of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) on Wednesday, resumed industrial action over unresolved...