NEWS
FG pays Severance Package of 885 Disengaged Immigration Officers

The Federal Government has paid the severance benefits of 885 Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS) officers disengaged from service in 2006/2007, Dasuki Arabi, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service (BPSR), has said.
Arabi disclosed this at a news conference on Friday, in Abuja.
He said that the outstanding benefits were paid to all the 885 officers, who presented themselves for verification, out of the 1,330 disengaged from the service.
He explained that only 17 officers who were verified could not be paid because of inconsistencies in their account details, adding that their issue was being handled by the stakeholders’ committee
“The NIS is one of the over 250 federal parastatals that was affected by the severance policy of 2006/2007 reform programme of the Federal Government across the Public Service.
“In the course of the severance exercise, a total of 1,330 NIS officers in various cadres and grade levels were disengaged.”
Arabi said that efforts to resolve the problem since 17 years ago became a hard nut to crack, following several complaints, agitations and petitions from several quarters by the disengaged officers.
He listed the agitations to include effecting the salary scale of CONPASS as against HAPSS to be used as it was used for sister agencies such as Nigerian custom Service and Nigerian Prisons Service, further created more agitations and complaints.
Arabi, however, said that with unrelenting efforts of BPSR and others stakeholders, the problem had been resolved.
He said that in an effort to resolve the problem, verification exercise was carried out from Nov. 27, 2023 across the six geo-political zones starting from the South West (Lagos Centre), which ended at the North Central in Abuja centre on Jan. 20, 2024.
“This achievement serves as a beacon of hope for other parastatals, and MDAs facing similar challenges. Let us continue to work together to address these issues and build a more just and equitable public service for all,” he said.
He explained that it had been difficult to get in touch with some of the affected officers or their next of kin because some of their submitted records were no longer valid as some had change their locations among other factors.
Arabi pledged that the commission was committed to ensure other disengaged officers or their next of kin yet to be paid, receive whatever was due to them in shortest time whenever they presented themselves for verification.
He advised the National Association of Retired Immigration Officers to continue to work with commission and other agencies of government to help to trace the outstanding beneficiaries and ensure that they get what was due to them.
Mr Ola Gbadamosi, the National Chairman, National Association of Retired Immigration Officers, commended the Federal Government and Arabi for the successful payment of the association members.
Gbadamosi said that they had gone to several places but no progress until they came to BPSR, adding that the payment came at a time when some of their members already lost hope.
He appealed to the commission to continue to assist those yet to their benefits paid, received it when they presented themselves
“I am appealing to the director general to please, we have a lingering 17 years , that is number one
“Number two, how to get to the Compass because up to now PTAD has not adjusted,
“So, we are appealing to BPSR to still continue to assist us so that this money for that 17 years will not go like that and then to make sure that the salary is harmonized alongside with our sister’s services like Prisons and Customs.
“The immigration money is different. Where an inspector in prison collects N76, 000 while my own inspector collects N29,000/ N30,000,” Gbadamosi said.
He said that he had some members, about 48 who said they were already in court, while some late officers with more than one wives had disagreement on who to be paid.
He said once those ones reach a compromise, their names would be forwarded for payment.
Also, spouses to two late disengaged officers yet to receive payment after the verification exercise, Mrs Ayodele Tolulope and Mr Promise Atuekwe, urged the commission to help fast track their payment.(NAN)
NEWS
New Medical Doctor Appreciates Ex-Reps Deputy Chief Whip, Hon Adekoya for University Sponsorship

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
A fresh graduate medical doctor from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Dr Ogunmakinju Oluwaseun, has expressed touching appreciation to a former Deputy Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Adesegun Abdel-Majid Adekoya, for the full sponsorship of his university education.
Hon Adekoya is the founder of Prince Abdel-Majid Foundation (PAM Foundation), a non-governmental organisation engaged in uplifting Nigerians, especially the less privileged, children, youths and women.
In an open letter of appreciation, Dr Ogunmakinju Oluwaseun, said his dream of becoming a medical doctor would have been a mirage if it not for the support of Hon Adekoya who stood by him in the past six years.
He declared that Hon Adekoya, popularly known as Attacker from his football-playing days as a youth, took over the full sponsorship of his university education without allowing him to pay a dime.
He also added that through the mentorship of Hon Adekoya he was able to emerge as the President of OOU Students Union.
He declared that his stint as SUG President has already instilled leadership qualities in him.
Dr Ogunmakinju Oluwaseun wrote: “Dear Rt. Hon. Abdul-Majid Adekoya Adesegun, I write with a heart full of gratitude to sincerely appreciate you for being the sole benefactor of my academic journey.
“From my very first day in 100 Level to my final year in 600 Level, your generosity through the scholarship you granted me has been the bedrock of my success.
“Today, by the grace of God and through your unwavering support, I have emerged as a qualified medical doctor. This achievement is not mine alone; it is a testament to your belief in me, your investment in my future, and your commitment to empowering the next generation.
“Words cannot fully capture the depth of my appreciation, but I pray that the Almighty rewards you abundantly, grants you good health, and continues to bless your endeavors.
“Your kindness has not only changed my life but has also inspired me to be a source of help to others, just as you have been to me.
“Thank you for making my dream a reality.”
Ogunmakinju Oluwaseun added: “I wish to sincerely appreciate ATTACKER for taking full responsibility for my tuition fees from 100 Level to 600 Level — without allowing me to pay a dime.
“This rare and life-changing opportunity, made possible through the Prince Abdul Majid Foundation (PAM Foundation), is something I will forever hold in deep gratitude.
“Today, after 6 years of rigorous training, I proudly stand as a Medical Doctor, awaiting the privilege of taking the Hippocratic Oath soon.
“Beyond academics, the leadership lessons I gained under the mentorship of Rt. Hon. Adekoya gave me the edge to emerge as OOU Students’ Union Government President.
“And academically, I am proud to have made a Distinction in of of the courses I offered during my journey through medical school.
“Thank you for believing in me, investing in my dreams, and giving me the platform to grow both as a leader and a scholar.”
NEWS
Bandit Tax in Zamfara, Ghost Town in Kwara, signs of Failure – ADC

By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed deep concern over the reported extortion of over N56 million from farmers in Zamfara State by armed groups as well as the chilling video of an entire village in Ifelodun Local Government of Kwara State, completely abandoned to bandits.
The party noted that Nigeria, under President Tinubu and the APC is sliding into a dangerous new phase of state failure. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Friday, the party said a situation where farmers had to pay money to terrorists before they could gain access to their own farmlands, is not just a Zamfara tragedy, but a national warning.Abdullahi said that a situation where people had to abandon an entire town to bandits, in the very heart of the country, is not just a local challenge but an evidence of national surrender. “When armed gangs can collect N56 million from farmers for the ‘right’ to plant food, the issue is no longer about insecurity. It is about criminal elements contesting the right to govern a part of Nigeria. When criminals can tax citizens at gunpoint, it means the state has surrendered its monopoly of force and state authority is in retreat.” The statement said it is discouraging that this could be happening in a country with one of the largest defence budgets in Africa, yet its farmers were left to bargain with warlords for their survival. It recalled that in the same Zamfara state only a few days ago about 50 people were abducted in one swoop, saying that added to this is the eerie picture of an entire town where all the people, the young, the old and the infirm had to seek refuge elsewhere for fear of bandits attacks. Abdullahi said there were other cases which showed alarming pattern suggesting that other parts of the country considered safe may not be so for long. “The pertinent question therefore is whether the Tinubu-led APC government is still in charge and can still be trusted to do its most fundamental duty, which is to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. “We recall that in November 2014, President Bola Tinubu, leader of opposition party at the time, asked President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over the Boko Haram Challenges in The North-East of the country. His words: “If you control the armed forces and you are the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, why should any part of this country be under occupation? And you give us excuses every day. In any civilized country Jonathan should have resigned.”He said though the security situation that President Tinubu was using to campaign in 2014 had multiplied exponentially under his party and is currently enjoying great prosperity under his direct watch, no one is calling on him to resign. “The ADC does not want President Tinubu to resign. We only ask him to do his job. We also ask the pertinent question, why did the President think that the security situation in Rivers State warranted the declaration of state of emergency, but the one in Zamfara with industrial scale kidnapping and a direct challenge to the authority of the Nigerian State by way of bandit tax does not even deserve a direct comment from him,” the statement asked.It urge President Tinubu to drop whatever else that pre-occupied him and direct his attention to Zamfara State and other parts of the country menaced by bandits. “If the Tinubu administration cannot guarantee the safety of our farms and farming communities, if people could be forced to abandon their homes out of fear, then it has failed in its most basic responsibility. You cannot boast that you are in charge of your country while your citizens are negotiating their survival with criminals.”NEWS
Oyo govt Denies Fake Pension Verification Notice

The Oyo State Government has denied a notice currently circulating among pensioners concerning a supposed verification exercise. This is contained in statement in Ibadan on Friday by the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Prof. Salihu Adelabu. Adelabu described as fake any message requesting pensioners to submit photocopies of their pension certificate, account details, and phone numbers to the ministry.
He urged pensioners to ignore such messages and remain vigilant against misinformation targeting retirees. He emphasised that the ministry would contact eligible individuals only when it is their turn to receive their benefits. The Commissioner added that all official information is communicated solely through recognised and credible channels. Adelabu advised pensioners to verify any suspicious message before acting, and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to retirees’ welfare. He said the government would continue to uphold transparency and due process in pension and gratuity matters. He also called on the public to share only verified information, saying protecting pensioners from fraud is a shared duty. (NAN)