NEWS
N10.20bn transfered into RSAs of 142,486 NSITF scheme contributors – PenCom

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) says N10.2 billion have been transferred into the Retirement Savings Account (RSAs) of 142,486 Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Scheme contributors from 2014 to date.
Mrs Aisha Dahir-Umar, Director-General, PenCom, revealed this at an interactive session, organised by PenCom and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) on CPS for the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in Lagos.
Dahir-Umar, represented by Dr Anyim Nyerere, Commissioner for Technical, PenCom, said this was in compliance with the commission’s responsibility of supervising the transfer, following the enactment of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014.
“In order to ensure that all contributors under the NSITF scheme have their NSITF contributions transferred to their RSAs, the commission had severally featured advertorials requesting NSITF contributors to apply for the transfer of their contributions.
“PenCom wishes to implore all employers to encourage their employees, who have contributed to the NSITF scheme, to liaise with their PFAs and in particular Trustfund Pensions for guidance on how to have their contributions transferred to their RSAs,” she said.
According to her, the number of Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) as at the end of third quarter 2023, stood at 10 million.
Dahir-Umar said that the size of the pension Asset Under Management(AUM) amounted to N16.76 trillion in the period under review.
She noted that, accordingly, the contributions of the OPS in this regard could not be overemphasised.
According to her, the interactive session was organised to unfold new developments and tackle challenges facing the pension scheme in the country.
The director-general said that the programme was initiated to enlighten OPS on the current developments and challenges in the implementation of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014.
“Obviously the pension industry is one of the fastest-growing financial sectors in Nigeria.
“This programme was put in place to enlighten the organised private sector on the new developments and resolve some of the challenges facing the sector.
“The objective of the interactive session is to enlighten the OPS on the workings of the CPS and share thoughts on emerging developments in the Nigerian pension space,” she said
Dahir-Umar said that the commission had continued to take giant strides towards ensuring the smooth implementation of the CPS through the revision of existing regulations, guidelines and the development of new ones.
She said that PenCom had deployed the Enhanced Contributors Registration System (ECRS) and Data Recapture Exercise (DRE).
The director-general stated that this mandatorily requires all RSA holders, who joined the CPS prior to July 1, 2019, to update their information with their respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).
She charged RSA holders who are yet to approach their PFAs for data recapture to do so.
She assured the OPS that the commission would continue to ensure robust social dialogue with NECA in the interest of all stakeholders under the CPS.
According to her, the commission will always support NECA to champion programmes that will ensure the successful implementation of the CPS in Nigeria.
Commenting, Mr Bala Babangida, Head, Department of Compliance and Enforcement, PenCom, said that compliance in the industry includes opening of RSA with a PFA by employees.
Babangide added that employers must also ensure monthly deduction and remittance of pension contributions
and provision of Group Life insurance policy for their employees
Mr Obiora Ibeziako, Head, Department of Benefit and Investment, PenCom, listed the basic objectives of pension investments to include safety liquidity and fair return.
Ibeziako added that the general principles of the pension scheme involved consultation, prudent, effective surveillance and regulatory.
In his remark, Director-General, NECA, Mr Adewale Oyerinde, said that the deliberation would give rooms for more improvement and development in the pension sector.
“There is always a room for improvement and this is one of the area of development.
“I am sure that this interactive session would pave way to improving further the pension scheme,” Oyerinde said.
NEWS
Ex-NBA President Seeks Higher Minimum Entry Requirements into Police

A Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), JB Daudu (SAN),has advocated for a higher minimum entry requirement for the Nigerian Police Force, suggesting a university degree or its equivalent.Daudu, who is the Coordinator of the Rule of Law Development Foundation made the call at the 13th Webinar series organized by the foundation on Tuesday in Abuja.
Report says that the webinar had the theme `Overview and Mid-Term Report of The Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (May2023-May 2025)’. He suggests that a more educated workforce would be better equipped to handle the challenges of policing, potentially leading to improved performance and effectiveness“This will ensure that all entry level officers receive a mandatory course in the recognition and enforcement of fundamental human rights that have been enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution (as amended).“It will also ensure that they receive sufficient training in the handling of firearms to curb the wave of accidental discharge of firearms and all other cases of abuse of firearms that our citizens now suffer from’’.“As far as many Nigerians are concerned, the police force is not only moribund, but a large percentage of its personnel are branded as corrupt.“Most Nigerians don’t report crimes in which they are victims because of the fear that they may, in the course of pursuing their rights, be branded as the criminals, or be exploited for financial gain.“The federal government must commence the rebranding of the Nigerian Police Force’’.He equally called for improvement in their remuneration package, the provision of institutional support such as insurance cover, mandatory housing program, promotions as and when due, affordable health services, and educational support.The Learned Silk stressed the need to rewrite the disciplinary protocols of all security agencies and ensure that these rules are subjected to ordinary laws of the land through trials in our criminal courts.“Offences by errant policemen amounting not only to civil disciplinary issues but are also criminal in nature, must attract punishments that fit the offence.“Such offences as reckless misuse of firearms and police power leading to death or serious bodily harm of, and on, innocent victims must be appropriately punished rather than a mere slap on the wrist”.He added that serious and immediate thought must be given to the decentralisation of the Nigeria Police Force.“20 years ago, I championed the advocacy of an autonomous and independent state police completely severed from the umbilical cord of the federal police that is the Nigeria Police Force.“I cannot in good conscience state today that I can still support the creation of a blanket State Police left in the hands of the Governor of a State.“The reason for this shift in position is that the political maturity, and I say this with the utmost respect and humility, of our new set of leaders at the state level is not such as was in existence 25 years ago’’.He noted that creating state police at this point in time is to encourage flashpoints in different parts of the country some of which may escalate into ‘civil wars’.“I shudder to think of what would have happened if certain states which were recently plunged into political crisis had recourse to their police units during the political crisis that recently plagued their states.“For now and until the political actors improve in their political maturity, the alternative would be and should be ‘community police’.“I propose most respectfully a measure where every ward in a local government would have an office of the community police that will monitor and ensure the reportage of all crimes.“This should include the movement of all suspicious characters who may likely pose a threat to the peace and harmony of the community”.He added that where the threat is beyond the capability of the community, and escalates to the remaining wards and the Local government Headquarters, the State Police Command should step in.He said that all the funds being used to buy rice and other palliatives could be used to fund and equip security-watch offices in these locations as described above.“This means therefore that the local government council of every LGA must be made to be the centre point of the maintenance of law and order and the promotion of security in Nigeria.“Note that there is still the corruption factor and strict or severe punishment must be meted on local community police officers who corruptly abuse their power”. (NAN)NEWS
NYCN Demands Probe into DPO’s Killing

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has called for a thorough investigation into the killing of CSP Baba Ali, a Divisional Police Officer in Kano State. Report says that the Police Command in Kano confirmed the killing on Monday, along with the burning of the Rano police station.
The DPO was reportedly killed by angry youths in Rano town, Rano Local Government Area, sparking widespread condemnation and concern across the country. In a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna, NYCN National President, Isah Abubakar, expressed sorrow and described the incident as a grave national loss. “CSP Baba Ali served with dedication and integrity. His commitment to peace and security must be recognised and remembered,” Abubakar stated. Abubakar urged the Federal Government to launch an impartial investigation, calling for cooperation among relevant agencies to reveal the circumstances of the officer’s death. He emphasised that the investigation must be transparent, keeping the victim’s family and the public informed at every stage. The NYCN president also demanded justice not only for CSP Baba Ali but for all Nigerians striving for safety and security. He called on the government to adopt measures that strengthen security forces and ensure better protection for officers on duty. “The death of CSP Baba Ali underscores the urgent need for united efforts against violence. Government must act decisively to prevent similar tragedies,” he added. (NAN)NEWS
Troops Neutralise 3 Suspected Bandits, Recover Weapons in Plateau

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have neutralised three suspected bandits in Teng and Kayarda communities of Qua’an Pan Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau. Maj. Samson Zhakom, the Media Officer of the operation, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Jos. Zhakom said that the troops ambushed the suspected bandits on Tuesday morning, following an intelligence report over planned attacks on some communities in the state.
He explained that the troops also recovered some weapons during the operation. “This morning, some armed militia heading to attack some villages on the Plateau were ambushed and neutralised by troops of OPSH. “This followed credible intelligence on plans by bandits to attack Teng and Kayarda villages in Qua’an Pan LGA. “During the operation, troops in ambush positions, made contact and neutralised three bandits while others fled in the process. “Troops further recovered four AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition from the suspects,” he said. The media officer said that troops had intensified efforts to arrest other members of the criminal group who are still at large.(NAN)