NEWS
Nasarawa, Kogi Retirees Want Upward Review of Pension
Residents of Nasarawa and Kogi on Monday advocated the reform of Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), saying it has not met the expectations of pensioners.Some pensioners who spoketo our correspondent in Lokoja on Monday said they were not impressed with the manner some of the pension administrators were treating them.
Mr Dare Olukaiyeja, a retired director in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security said his experience after retirement was unfortunate given the manner his pension administrators handled his monthly pension. The director, in expressing his pain, said he got his gratuity and pension almost two years after retirement.Though, he admitted that his monthly pension was being paid regularly.“I never knew that it would take me almost two years before my retirement benefits would be paid.“This is because the delay was contrary to what they always made workers to believe before their retirement.“I think government should look into the unnecessary delays in payment of retirees’ retirement benefits so as not to send some persons to their early graves.“The CPS should be reformed to allow contributors take away their Retired Saving Account (RSA) balance 100 per cent,” Olukaiyeja said.Mr Kola Adeyemi, a retired Deputy Director in News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said he retired in October 2021, and had a fair experience with the CPS.“I retired on October 10, 2021, and I got my benefits 14 months. I think that was fair compared to some that take over two or three years.“In my case, the delay was due to a mistake I made while filling my form. I filled the form twice, and this led to a shift in the schedule time I was to be paid.“Again, I have been getting my monthly pension regularly, particularly on the 20th of every month from my PFA. CPS is a close ended arrangement, this is should be looked into.“All the same, there is need for review to know exactly what CPS is set out to achieve and not only to take off the burden of paying monthly pensions to retirees from FG,” he said.Another retiree, Mr Ahmed Dada, expressed mixed feelings about his experience on the contributory pension.Dada said: “It has been mixed feelings for me as my monthly pension is nothing to write home about”.Like Adeyemi, Dada said he got his maiden pension benefits in 2021, having waited for 15 months.The retired director said that he has been getting his monthly pension regularly from his pension fund administrator.“This class of Nigerian retirees, especially those on the CPS are really passing through hell coping with the current economic hardships in the country,” Dada said.Mr Oladipo Agaja, who retired from Kogi Local Government Service on Grade Level 14 said that he only got N120, 000 as part of his gratuity since he retired in 2010.He said: “I cannot remember the amount I am entitled to but as a retired Head of Department of Works, I took home that amount at my retirement as salary.“I now collect a monthly pension of N39, 000. Thanks to this present administration which came to upgrade the monthly payment, because as at last year I was earning between N9,000 and N18,000 as pension.Agada appealed to the state and Federal Government to establish uniform rules and standards of administration on pension.A retired educationist, Mrs Ladun Gbadebo, who worked in the state ministry of education said there was need to scrutinise pension staffer following alleged shady activities going on in the pension administrators’ offices.Gbadebo noted that the administration of pension in Nigeria had been marred by policy inconsistencies.She highlighted major problems of the pension scheme as delay in payment of pensions and gratuities to deserving retirees, lack of accountability and poor management.According to her, pension system was faces the challenges of lack of transparency and inaccurate pensioners’ records, among others.“All these challenges have pushed many pensioners into untold hardship, such as abject poverty, ill health.“Many have resorted to begging for survival while others have died waiting for the payments of their gratuities and pension,” she said.Mrs Florence Aina, who retired from Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, called on government at all levels to always remember pensioners as much as they remember those still in service.Aina said financially, the pensioners need to be adequately catered for because being senior citizens they usually have some health challenges.“I expect government to put emphasis on pensioners, such that when other sectors get a pay increase, they should also have.“This is because what affects serving civil servants affect them too because they all buy from the same market.In Nasarawa State retirees appealed to the state government for an upward review of their pension entitlements.According to the senior citizens, they have not benefited from three consecutive national minimum wage increments in Nasarawa State.Mr Samuel Tabe, a pensioner said that pensioners in Nasarawa State were going through tough times as some receive as low as N5, 000 as pension.“This is the third national minimum wage they are working on and none was added to the pensioners in Nasarawa state.“Everybody is keeping quiet; nobody is talking about the pensioners,” he said.Tabe, who retired in 2013, said he started receiving his pension payment immediately after he exited from the service.“I am not satisfied with the current system regarding gratuity payment, unlike those days when somebody retires his benefits will be worked out for him.“When you eventually leave the service, the highest you stay before you can receive your gratuity is 3 to 4 months, thereafter your gratuity is being paid. But it is not like that today.“Since I retired from the service in 2013 till date my gratuity has not been paid, I have up to N8 million as my gratuity,” he said.Mr Matthew Tukura, a new retiree, urged the agencies responsible for the payment of retirees’ benefits to make provision for their accumulated entitlements at once rather than paying in piecemeal.“Even if the government cannot pay retirees their entitlements at once half of it should be paid. If such sum is paid at once they can go into business like poultry, fish and livestock farming’’, he said.Tukura raised concern over the delayed payment of gratuity in the state.“To treat senior citizens like that is not the best; it doesn’t show respect for labour and services after serving for 35 years.“So, government and other agencies responsible for pension matters should review the pension so that our senior citizens can enjoy their lives after retirement,” he said.Mr Peter Ahemba, Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to Gov. Abdullahi Sule, assured that the government would review the payment of pension upward to enable pensioners enjoy increments accrued from the new minimum wage.He said Sule’s administration was sensitive to the plight of the senior citizens as he maintained regular payment of pension in the state since he became governor.“Retired civil servants in Nasarawa State enjoy their pension almost immediately after retirement.“ It does not take time because when you are about to retire your pension is processed by relevant offices as quickly as possible.“Government has plans to review the pension upward because of the new national minimum wage; pensioners should be patient with the government.“The government is sensitive to the plights of the pensioners, every pensioner will get what is due to him or her,” he said. (NAN)NEWS
Justin Bieber Headlines Coachella with Nostalgia-fuelled Set
Justin Bieber made a nostalgia-fuelled return to the major stage as Coachella’s much-anticipated headline act.
The 32-year-old spent much of Saturday night’s gig sitting in front of a laptop and singing to YouTube music videos of his older hits, such as Baby and Never say Never – delighting the crowd in an apparent tribute to the platform on which he was discovered.
He also played some of the home videos that had brought him to the industry’s attention aged 12, pulling them up on the big screen, and appeared to interact with the live comments on the YouTube stream of his set.
It marked the star’s biggest live show in four years, having cancelled his Justice World tour following health issues.
He opened the gig alone on an otherwise empty stage, performing tracks from his 2025 albums Swag and Swag II – before telling the crowd he wanted to take them “on a journey” and reaching back into his archive.
He repeatedly asked the audience: “How far back do you go?”
Bieber also played the clip for which he most recently went viral – and which prompted speculation about his mental state – in which he confronted a photographer and said: “It’s not clocking to you, I’m standing on business.”
Dressed in a hoodie and shorts on a stripped-back stage, Bieber was joined by musical guests including The Kid Laroi, Wizkid, Tems and Dijon.
The star’s wife Hailey Bieber was spotted in the crowd, alongside celebrity couple Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.
Bieber cancelled his world tour after revealing he was suffering from facial paralysis, after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome – a complication from contracting shingles – in 2022.
He released his surprise album Swag in July 2025, and in February performed live at the Grammy Awards.
His Coachella set marked a starker departure from the previous night’s headline act, Sabrina Carpenter, whose Hollywood-themed gig included costume changes, choreography and elaborate stage design.
Colombian pop star Karol G will be Sunday’s headliner at the festival, which takes place over two weekends in the California desert.
It draws more than 100,000 people daily, according to police from the city of Indio, and has been running at Indio’s Empire Polo Club since 2002.
Education
Sule Rewards First-Class Graduates, Honours Tanzania’s President at NSUK 8th Convocation
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The Nasarawa State University, Keffi over the weekend celebrated its 25th silver jubilee anniversary and combined 8th convocation ceremony, where over 25,000 students were awarded with various academic degrees.
The grand event, held over the weekend at the school main Campus Keffi, was confirmed and honoured with Doctor of Philosophy (PhDs), Master’s degrees, First Degrees, and Postgraduate Diplomas on graduating students across different faculties.
The ceremony also confirmed honorary doctorate degrees on prominent personalities for their contributions to global leadership, business, and development.
Among the prominent personalities honoured were the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan; Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group; and Mahmood Ahmad.
The awards recognised their outstanding contributions to global leadership, development, and their roles in advancing socio-economic development both within Africa and globally.
During the ceremony, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, awarded a cash prize of five hundred thousand Naira (N500,000) each to 82 first-class graduates, while the overall best graduating student was awarded N1 million.
The governor explained that the initiative was designed to promote excellence among students and aligns with the state government’s broader agenda of investing in education and human capital development. According to him, recognising academic achievement is essential in inspiring younger generations to pursue excellence.
Sule emphasised that rewarding hard work and dedication would encourage students across the state to strive for distinction in their academic pursuits. He noted that such incentives serve as a catalyst for improved performance and a stronger educational system.
As part of activities marking the institution’s 8th convocation and 25th anniversary celebrations, the governor commissioned several infrastructure projects at the University.
The newly inaugurated projects include the Alumni Secretariat, the Department of Accounting Postgraduate E-Library, as well as the university’s second gate and access road. He commended the university management for its commitment to infrastructural development and academic excellence.
The two-day celebration attracted a wide array of dignitaries from across Nigeria, including Governors, Ambassadors, Vice-chancellors, professors, traditional rulers, Business Men, and key stakeholders in the education sector.
In her address, the Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, warmly welcomed guests and expressed appreciation to the university’s leadership for their continued support.
She specifically acknowledged the Chancellor, HRH. Shehu Chindo Yamusa the Emir of Keffi, as well as the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Atahiru Jiga, and members of the governing council for their impactful leadership.
Liman credited the institution’s progress to strong governance and visionary leadership, noting that both staff and students have benefitted from an enabling academic environment.
“I have acquired knowledge and experience in this institution due to impactful and good leadership,” she said.
She further urged students to prioritise their education and draw inspiration from the leadership and values upheld by the university. According to her, such commitment is essential for contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s academic advancement and global competitiveness.
“Apply your knowledge positively, contributing to the advancement and educational success of Nigeria and the global community,” she appealed.
NEWS
OPay Named Nigeria’s Most Trusted Digital Financial Company at 2026 ISO Awards
OPay, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, has been awarded The Most Trusted Quality Mobile Money and Digital Financial Services Company of the Year at the 2026 ISO World Corporate Brand of the Year Award. This recognition reaffirms OPay’s strong reputation and the trust tens of millions of Nigerians have in its services.
The award ceremony, held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, brought together leading companies making a positive impact across different industries.The organisers, ISO World Consult, noted that the selection was based on an outstanding 4.6 from online referrer rating and also highlighted OPay’s strong track record and its role in improving financial services across Nigeria.
This recognition further shows that OPay continues to make financial services simple, secure and reliable for everyday
Nigerians. From sending money to paying bills and supporting businesses, OPay has become a trusted part of daily life.
Chukwudinma Okafor, Chief Compliance Officer, OPay, said: “This award is a strong validation of the trust our customers and partners place in us. We are committed to maintaining high standards in compliance, risk management, and service delivery. Our goal is to keep building a platform that supports growth, protects users, and contributes positively to the financial system.”
OPay remains focused on expanding access to financial services and helping more Nigerians take part in the digital economy.
About OPay
OPay was established in 2018 as a leading financial institution in Nigeria with the mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology. The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfer, bill payment, card service, airtime and data purchase, and merchant payments, among others. Renowned for its fast and reliable network and strong security features that protect customer’s funds, OPay is licensed by the CBN and insured by the NDIC with the same insurance coverage as commercial banks.

