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Pension Assets Hit N14.99trn

The National Pension Commission (PenCom), has said that pension assets now stand at N14.99 trillion thus witnessing N568.33 billion growth within the space of three months from September 2022 when it stood at N14.42 trillion to N14.99 trillion as at 31 December 2022.
The commission stated this in its last quarter 2022 report of Pension sector published in its official website.
Presenting the report, the Director General of PenCom, Aisha Dahir-Umar applauded the growth in the Assets Under Management of the sector adding that it pointed to the fact that the pension industry would continue to deliver value and benefit to its stakeholders and the nation’s economy.
“During the reporting period, the Commission stepped up its efforts to ensure sustainable investment by pension funds in alternative asset classes and structured infrastructure projects that meet the strict requirements of the Pension Fund Investments Regulation. We continued our efforts to ensure further diversification of investments in pension fund portfolio assets. While rising inflation continues to challenge the Nigerian economy, it should be noted that efforts are being made to ensure average annual pension fund returns for RSA and legacy funds exceed headline inflation,” she said.
She said total pension contributions remitted to individual RSAs in Q4 2022 stood at N237.24 billion adding that out of this total, the public sector accounted for N129.06 billion or 54.40 per cent while the private sector contributed N108.18 billion or 45.60 per cent.
She said the cumulative pension contributions from inception to the end of the fourth quarter of 2022 amounted to N8.47 trillion, which is an increase from N8.23 trillion as at the end of Q3 2022.
According to her, the aggregate pension contributions of the public sector increased from N4.27 trillion in Q3 2022 to N4.40 trillion as at the end of Q4 2022, “Similarly, the aggregate pension contributions of the private sector also increased from N3.96 trillion in Q3.”
She said this total value of Pension fund, which was N14.99 trillion, comprised of N10.72 trillion: RSA ‘Active’ Funds (i.e. RSA Funds I, II III and V); N1.19trillion: RSA Retiree Fund IV; N1.57 trillion: CPFAs; and N1.48 trillion.
She however said Approved Existing Schemes. Fund VI Active and Retiree Fund amounted to N36.20 billion.
On structure of investments, the PenCom boss said Pension Fund Assets were mainly invested in federal government securities, which accounted for 64.33 per cent of total assets. The composition of investments in FGN Securities she said were as follows: FGN Bonds: 95.60 per cent, Treasury Bills: 2.06 per cent and Agency Bonds, Sukuk and Green Bonds accounting for 2.34 per cent.
She further said the industry’s Net Asset Value (NAV) as at reporting date increased by 3.94 (N568.33 billion) to N14.99 trillion compared to a NAV of N14.42 trillion as at 30 September, 2022.
“The growth in Q4:2022 was significantly higher than the growth of N156.74 billion (1.09%) recorded in Q3:2022. The growth was mainly due to contributions received and positive investment performance during the period, “she said.
On the success of the commission’s efforts to get state governments key into the scheme through enactment of their various state laws, implementation and migration of their workers to the Contributory Pension scheme from the Defined Benefit scheme, the PenCom DG said the number of states with laws on the CPS remained 25 as at Q4 2022.
She said out of these, seven states were at bill stage while five states had enacted Laws on the Contributory Defined Benefits Scheme (CDBS) with two out of these five namely Jigawa and Kano currently implementing the scheme.
She however said Kano was yet to transfer the pension assets to a Pension Fund Custodian while the other three states namely Gombe, Zamfara and Adamawa were yet to commence implementation of the CDBS.
She said Lagos State Government had consistently failed to honour the N2 billion monthly commitment to clear the accrued rights of its retirees.
According to the PenCom boss, as at the end of the 4th Quarter of 2022, there was no record of the state fulfilling its monthly commitment of remitting N2 billion for the months of October, November and December 2022.
“Only a total sum of N7.83 billion was so far redeemed as against the expected sum of N26 billion during the period. This therefore leaves a cumulative shortfall of N18.17 billion that was yet to be redeemed as at the end of December 2022.
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NCS Strengths Ties with China Customs

By Tony Obiechina Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has deepened its strategic engagement with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) through a high-level meeting held in Beijing on July 25.According to NCS Spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada in a statement on Sunday, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, the meeting aimed to explore bilateral knowledge exchange and capacity development in customs administration.
The NCS delegation, led by Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Oluyomi Adebakin, discussed customs training methodologies, modernization models, and technology-driven solutions with GACC officials. The Chinese Customs authorities shared their structured training system, which incorporates virtual reality, 5G-enabled systems, and blended e-learning approaches.The meeting highlighted Nigeria’s active participation in China-led customs development initiatives, with over 200 African customs officers trained since 2023. The Chinese Customs officials commended Nigeria’s growing leadership in international customs platforms and appreciated the election of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council.Both parties expressed mutual interest in exploring technical exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and officer exchange schemes. The NCS aims to strengthen its human capital, advance intergovernmental partnerships, and modernize customs operations in accordance with global standards.The engagement aligns with promoting knowledge sharing, harmonizing customs procedures, and building an integrated trade infrastructure for sustainable development, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).COVER
Kaigama Cautions against Rising Religious Intolerance, Marginalization

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has called for religious tolerance among religious groups in Nigeria.Kaigama made the call during the 25 years Priestly Celebration of the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev.
Ernest Obodo, held at St. Mary Catholic Church, Udi Council Area of Enugu State at the weekend. The celebration began with Holy Mass officiated by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke.In his homily, Kaigama decried what he described as ‘very severe’, the existence of religious intolerance in the country, warning that, “if we do not get rid of it, we shall continue to make three steps forward and five steps backward.“Professor Chinua Achebe did identify the problems of Nigeria as bad leadership, corruption, and tribalism, and I wish to add religious intolerance and fanaticism.He expressed the need for more solidarity of the Catholic Church in Eastern Nigeria with the Church in Northern Nigeria in view of the present socio-economic, cultural and religious circumstances in the world.The clergyman equally called on those in political leadership to ensure that the resources of the nation were equitably distributed and also to ensure a fair representation in government.He advised them not to let any section of the nation become marginalised for whatever reason but to ensure honesty, transparency, and accountability in the leadership of the country.“My village was once captured, destroyed, and our chief was subordinated to the religious leaders. Since then, it was only some three years ago that we received a government response.“Nigerians expect from political leaders a corporal work of mercy to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, care for the sick and wounded, educate the school children, care for prisoners and the poor.“Build and maintain the roads, keep our schools and hospitals open, and not only when there are casualties, then we rush to open them and be concerned,” he stressed.The Archbishop added that while we demand good governance from those voted in authority, we demand equally a changing mentality on the part of those Nigerians who saw government resources as available to be used with reckless abandonment.To the celebrant and his class of 2000, Kaigama said, “25 years ago, they answered the Lord’s call to serve the church as shepherds of God’s people.“Today we give thanks to God for the gift of their vocation, perseverance in ministry, and for the grace that has sustained them through joys and trials alike,” he said.In his remark, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, described Obodo as an embodiment of initiatives geared towards lifting people out of poverty through his agricultural project.“So I want to join your well-wishers and indeed your congregation here to congratulate and to celebrate with you. There is something that you represent, which I would also love that we continue to imbibe, that is, the true spirit of service.“But your humility is also something very disarming,” Mbah said.Commending the participants, Obodo announced that 33 bishops all over Nigeria attended the event, saying that 20 of them were present while 13 were represented.He thanked God for sparing 10 of them who were ordained priest in 2000, disclosing that, “10 of us are healthy and hearty today and we give gratitude to God”.Many priests, laity, traditional rulers and government officials graced the celebration.COVER
Niger Boat Mishap: NSEMA Recovers 13 Bodies, Rescues 26

From Dan Amasingha, Minna, Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Niger Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said 13 dead bodies have been recovered while 26 people were rescued from the recent boat mishap in Gini village, Shiroro Local Government Area.This is contained in a statement by Alhaji Abdullahi Arah, the Director- General of the agency on Sunday in Minna.
The incident occurred at about 11:45am on Saturday around Kwata, as the boat was heading to Zumba market. According to the agency, the boat, which was fully loaded with goods and passengers capsized while conveying them to the weekly market.“We have confirmed a boat mishap incident with 13 bodies recovered while 26 were rescued bringing the total number of people in the boat to 39.”“Those that were recovered had since been buried and among them were eight women, three men and two children,” he said.NSENI’s Director of Information and Special Duties, Dr. Ibrahim Hussaini confirmed in a statement that the boat driver and few passengers were rescued.Hussaini said that one of the victims was admitted at the General Hospital Kuta, and had been discharged.The Niger Government through NSEMA, National Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission N-HYPPADEC and NIWA have distributed life jackets to various riverine communities.Abductors of Six Nigerian Law School Students Opens Discussions, Demands N20M RansomThe kidnappers of the six Nigerian Law School students, have contacted and opened discussions with the families of their victims, demanding N20 million as ransom for their release.The six Nigerian Law School Students were reportedly abducted by suspected armed bandits while on their way to resume at the school’s Yola campus in Adamawa State on Saturday.It was gathered that the incident took place in the late hours of Saturday, along the ‘deadly’ federal highway between Wukari in Taraba State and parts of Benue State.According to a fellow student of the Yola campus, who identified himself as Johnson, said the kidnappers have contacted families of the victims and are demanding a ransom of N20 million for their release.The abducted students were on their way back to campus after completing their mandatory court externship, ahead of the resumption of academic activities scheduled for Monday.Those confirmed to be abducted includes; Rev. Ernest Okafor, Ogbuka Fabian, Nwamma Philip, Okechukwu Obadiegwu, Obalem Emmanuel, and Obiorah David.They were reportedly travelling in a vehicle operated by AJ Dan Pullo Transport Company, a commercial operator based in Onitsha, Anambra State.Authorities have yet to release an official statement.The Wukari-Benue axis, where the kidnapping is suspected to have taken place, has long been flagged as a high-risk corridor due to recurring incidents of abduction and violent crime.