The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has announced the recovery of N1.58 billion from defaulting employers through enhanced enforcement efforts.

This information was shared by the Director General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran yesterday in Kano during the First Run 2025 Consultative Forum for States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to her, state remittances have also improved, reflecting a greater adoption of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Oloworaran noted that as of February, total pension assets under management had surpassed N23 trillion.

She noted that in spite of these advancements, challenges remain, as only 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had enacted laws to implement the CPS.

“Six states operate hybrid schemes, while another six have bills at advanced legislative stages.

“Notable progress has been made in Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi and Abia states. However, full implementation of the CPS is currently limited to eight states,” she explained.

To address this gap, PenCom has introduced a flexible adoption model, allowing states to begin implementation with new employees or those with fewer than 10 years of service.

The director general further stated that the commission was providing technical support to assist states in planning for legacy liabilities and transitioning their entire workforce in a financially sustainable manner.

She reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to achieving full onboarding of all states and the FCT into the CPS.

“With sustained dialogue, technical collaboration, and strong political will, we are confident of reaching this goal,” she said.

Oloworaran described the ongoing forum as more than just a routine meeting, calling it “a call to collective action.”

She urged participants to seize this opportunity to co-create solutions, share innovations, and renew their commitment to a secure, unified, and inclusive pension system.

Earlier, the Head of Service (HOS) of Kano, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to pension reforms.

He commended PenCom for its leadership in promoting best practices and described the forum as a “vital platform for dialogue, peer learning, and policy refinement.”

Musa said that Kano State had made significant progress in restructuring its pension system, notably through the adoption of a hybrid model that combined elements of the defined benefits and the CPS.

He revealed that the state government, under the leadership of Gov. Abba Kabir, had taken bold steps to settle pension backlogs and improve the management of retirement benefits.

He added that the state government had paid N16 billion in outstanding entitlements, which represented about 40 per cent of the liabilities inherited from previous administrations.(NAN)

By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Olufemi Oluyede yesterday issued a marching order to the Nigerian Army to flush out bandits terrorising Baruten and Kaiama Local Government Areas of Kwara State, as well as Borgu in Kainji Forest, Niger State, within one month.

Addressing troops at the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin, Kwara State; Oluyede stated that the Nigerian Army would not allow the insurgency in the North-East to spread to the North-Central.

He emphasised the Army’s responsibility to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity, saying, “No single part of the territory will be allowed to be taken over by insurgents in any form — whether as bandits, Boko Haram, or by any other name.

While inspecting the military guard of honour, Oluyede declared, “I’m giving you one month from now to recover all territory in Baruten, Kaiama and areas in the Kainji forest. These must be restored to Nigeria’s territorial integrity.”

He insisted that bandits must be flushed out of the region within the timeframe.

“All of you have promised to fight and recover whatever the insurgents might have taken from the country and I believe you will keep that promise,” he said.

Oluyede explained that he was touring the country to ensure national security, stressing that “The country is facing some challenges and we must push the insurgents out. In the next one month, I don’t want to see any of the insurgents within our borders again,” he said.

The Chief of Army Staff also pledged improved welfare for troops, including better feeding, uniforms, education and medical support.

“I want to see soldiers become good medical doctors, engineers, and other professionals. We’ve begun interventions like providing 100,000 units of uniforms monthly and allocating N1bn monthly for soldiers’ feeding. We’ve also improved accommodation facilities”, he noted.

Recall that a group identified as Mahmuda recently emerged in Kaiama and Baruten LGAs of Kwara State, while seven persons were killed on Monday in Ilesha Baruba, Baruten LGA, by a yet-to-be-identified group.

NAF Admits Zamfara Airstrike Error, Offers Relief to Affected Community

The Nigerian Air Force has taken responsibility for the accidental airstrike that killed 15 people in Dangebe Village, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on January 11, 2025.

The incident, which occurred less than three weeks after a similar airstrike on December 25, 2024, in Sokoto State that reportedly claimed 10 lives, sparked public outcry and renewed calls for greater accountability in military operations.

In a statement yesterday, the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the Service has fulfilled all the promises made to victims and their families as part of its efforts to demonstrate accountability and empathy.

According to Ejodame, the interventions included financial support to the families of the deceased, reconstruction of a damaged building in the village, replacement of two destroyed motorcycles, and the construction of a borehole in nearby Kambarawa Village to provide potable water to surrounding communities.

“In a demonstration of empathy, accountability, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of civilians, the Nigerian Air Force has fulfilled all promises made to victims and families affected by the unfortunate airstrike.

“Following the incident, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, dispatched a committee of senior officers to conduct a fact-finding mission. He also personally visited Zamfara on March 6, 2025, where he met with survivors, bereaved families, and local leaders.

“During the visit, he pledged immediate and long-term support measures to help alleviate the suffering caused by the tragedy. It is heart-warming to announce that the Nigerian Air Force has kept every word of its commitment.

“The reconstruction of the damaged building has been completed, two brand-new motorcycles have been handed over to their rightful owners, and the promised borehole is now serving Kambarawa Village and surrounding settlements. Additionally, funds have been fully disbursed to victims and their families”, the statement partly read.

Ejodame said that members of the affected community expressed deep gratitude for the NAF’s sincerity and quick response.

“Community leaders and residents alike praised the Service for not only acknowledging the tragic incident but for taking concrete steps to bring healing and hope. These actions are reflective of the Nigerian Air Force’s values of professionalism, responsibility, and respect for human dignity,” he added.

He added that the service remains committed to transparency, accountability, and minimising civilian harm in all operations.

He also said the NAF would continue to engage communities, adhere strictly to rules of engagement, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism across all theatres of operation.

“For the NAF, protecting the lives and property of Nigerians is not just a constitutional duty; it is a sacred trust,” Ejodame stated.

By Joel Oladele, Abuja

In a political shift that has rattled the South-South region, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), sparking a wave of mixed reactions across the state and beyond.

The defection, which was confirmed yesterday, after a six-hour closed-door meeting at Government House in Asaba, also includes the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, all local government chairmen and the entire leadership structure of the PDP in Delta.

The announcement was made by Senator James Manager, who declared that the time had come to abandon “a sinking boat.

Manager stated, “All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC.

“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.

The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Aniagwu Charles, officially confirmed the governor’s defection and the collective decision of Delta PDP leaders and stakeholders to join the APC.

“There is a need for us to adjust our thinking patterns. And in adjusting that thinking pattern, we needed to make a decision that would further help to cement the development in our state, to build the court of law that has existed in our state, to further advance the cause of security and the welfare of our people, and, to a large extent, ensure that development in Delta is not truncated,” Aniagwu stated.

He continued, “In taking that decision, we concluded that leaving the PDP was very necessary for us to be able to collaborate and build a state that every Deltan will be proud of. We believe that what is happening, and the state of the PDP, is akin to that palm wine whose taste has changed — and there was a need for us to change the drinking party.”

Charles added that the decision was unanimously made by party leaders and stakeholders, hinting at a formal public declaration soon.

“By the grace of God, on Monday next week, we will be able to make a very big statement confirming that we are moving into the APC,” he said.

The governor’s defection, however, has not been met with universal applause. Ijaw rights activist, Austin Ozobo, did not hide his dismay. Taking to Social media, he accused Governor Oborevwori of betraying the party and its loyal base.

“It is no longer news about Governor Oborevwori’s defection to APC. It is sad. I never knew you (the governor) would kill PDP in Delta for personal gains,” he wrote.

Similarly, some PDP members who spoke under condition of anonymity expressed deep dismay, saying the governor’s action was a slap in the face of the party’s loyalists who toiled to see him elected.

“It’s unfortunate that the governor will just do this to a party that stood by him during his election travails. We wish him well sha,” one of them lamented.

“He could have supported Tinubu from within the PDP like Wike is doing,” one party faithful said, warning that the gamble might not pay off in 2027.

Despite the backlash, some political figures have welcomed the move. Sir Sunny Mene, former Organizing Secretary of the APC in Delta State, likened political parties to churches, saying, “The gate is always open for new converts. The more, the merrier.”

The APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) also rolled out the red carpet.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party hailed the decision as a milestone for both the state and the nation, stating, “Our great Party welcomes this important development, and assures the Governor and incoming leaders and members of Delta PDP of our fullest cooperation and accommodation in the APC family. 

 “With this move, coming on the heels of steady decamping of PDP leaders and members across the state to APC, including members of Delta Unity Group in Ika federal constituency, we are delighted that Delta state, now an APC state, stands poised to contribute maximally to the success and realization of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and to the enduring good and prosperity of Deltans and all Nigerians.”

Also, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), hailed the Governor, ex-Governor and others, describing the development as a political turning point for the state.

Reacting via his X handle yesterday, the longtime APC loyalist and influential figure from Delta, declared the moment a long-awaited breakthrough for the APC in the state.

“Today is the day the Lord has made in Delta State. Finally, finally Delta is APC!” he wrote.

Keyamo attributed the shift to the leadership style of President Bola Tinubu, saying it was the president’s vision and inclusiveness that made the APC an attractive platform for leading political figures.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership that has attracted the best to our Party,” he said.

In a public show of support, Keyamo referred to Oborevwori as his “leader and Governor,” commending him for what he called a bold and visionary decision.

“Thank you, my leader & Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori for your foresight and courage in taking this bold decision,” the minister added.