NEWS
Sanwo-Olu Clears N68bn Pension
The Lagos State Government under Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has cleared N68.5 billion pension arrears for retirees in the state public servant.
The Head of Service Lagos State,(HoS) Mr Bode Agoro, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lagos.
Agoro spoke at a public sensitisations on Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for public servants in the state, organised by Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC).
The HoS hailed Sanwo-Olu for his continuous efforts in ensuring that the senior citizens receive their retirement benefits immediately they exit the service.
He also commended the governor for placing premium on the well-being of the public servants, as well as the retirees.
He said the CPS, which was passed into law on March 19, 2007 in Lagos, was to provide a sustainable retirement plan that ensures financial security upon staff retirement from active service.
“Since its introduction, a lot of government policies have been made to strengthen the Nigerian pension industry, provide security for citizens’ savings, well as protect workers’ retirement benefits.
“However, all these policies have come with the need to align ourselves, as workers, with the evolvement of the scheme.
“Knowledge, they say is power, and
information is key. Therefore, a man without the right information will no doubt be deformed,” he said.
According to him, the need to avoid misinformation regarding the CPS, led to the sensitisation orgnaised by LASPEC, to disseminate vital information about important updates and changes on the CPS as it affects stakeholders.
The HoS added that the state had continually embarked on data updating exercise, occasioned by linking of National Identification Number (NIN), to all of the existing accounts, be it in the banks, telecommunication service providers and others.
He noted that it was imperative to have the data recaptured with the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to ease documentation, facilitate processing and smooth pension payments upon retirement.
According to him, for those who just have their service documents regularised, changed locations or names, the exercise was poised to provide them with fresh opportunities to register such changes with their PFAs, accordingly.
He said: “Considering the different development that public servants might have experienced over the years, this exercise will be made periodic to allow you register such development with your PFAs.
“This is to enable updated information that will ease processing of your retirement benefits by LASPEC as well as the PFAs.
“As partners in progress, our PFAs will be made available at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium at Alausa, Ikeja, for four days as scheduled in our circular, to attend to your proper documentation.
Agoro commended LASPEC for the laudable initiatives and bringing the PFAs services to the doorsteps of the civil servants for them to update their data accordingly.
He urged the workers to pay attention to the vital information concerning the pension scheme.
“Let me reiterate that this exercise is not aimed at stressing anybody, however, it is an avenue to ease the process of receiving your retirement benefits as soon as you exit the services,” he said.
In his address, Mr Babalola Obilana, Director General (DG), LASPEC, said that the sensitisations was crucial to share vital updates and changes in the CPS to the public servants.
Obilana explained that the CPS was designed to ensure that all employees have a secure and sustainable source of income upon retirement.
He said the scheme operates on a simple principle: both employees and employers contribute a portion of the employee’s salary into a pension fund, which is then managed by a designated authority.
“This collective effort provides financial security for our future and fosters a culture of savings and responsibility among public servants.
“It is a mutual commitment to one another that we all need to embrace,” he said.
He noted that over the years, the administration of the CPS in Lagos state had undergone several important updates, aimed at enhancing its efficiency and transparency.
The DG said that the changes reflect on the commitment to improving the management of pension funds and ensuring that the benefits are protected and accessible.
He added that one of the most significant changes was to enhance collaboration between LASPEC, the PFAs and the Annuity Service Providers (ASPs).
The director-general noted that LASPEC had been streamling the processes to ensure easy access to pension benefits at retirement.
“This collaboration is crucial in ensuring that your retirement savings grow and are managed responsibly.
“However, despite these advancements, it has come to our notice that a number of public servants in MDAs and parastatals, are yet to open their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs).
“This oversight has serious implications for their future financial security,” he said.
According to the DG, many of these individuals find their pension benefits sitting in an escrow account as a result of not having RSAs.
Obilana said that the situation was not only detrimental to the financial future of such defaulters, but would also complicate their pension payment process upon retirement.
He urged the affected workers and other public servants of the state to take advantage of the programme, do the needful and update their data with the PFAs accordingly.
The event was attended by public servants from various MDAs and parastatals of the state.(NAN)
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Inspector -General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun has bowed to pressure over the quit notice issued by popular Hotel owner, Euphemie Motel, with a direct order for the SWAT to quit the premises of the motel occupied inside Opu-Nembe in Nembe Bassambiri community of Nembe Local Government Area of the State.
The Order was issued following the threat to drag the IGP to Court over the alleged unpaid debt incurred by the Police SWAT team deployed from 12th of August, 2023 till date.
The lodging debt, according to the report, was incurred by the Police Special squad identified as SWAT led by one CSP Silas Adebayo for a reported sting operation in the Opu Nembe community ahead of the last Governorship elections in the area.
The SWAT team had allegedly invaded the Opu Nembe community and occupied the Euphemie Motel, turning it into their operational base without due permission from its owners.
The SWAT teams were allegedly drafted to the area on the request of the Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the Governorship flag bearer of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the last election, Chief Timipre Sylva.
The Counsel to the owner of the Euphemie Motel, Inemoye Maxwell Brown Esq. in a letter dated 9th of October, 2024, confirmed to newsmen in Yenagoa that the Nigerian Police, “as a respectable and responsible establishment has gracefully implemented on the prayer one as contained therein within the time frame provided as the SWAT team vacated our clients hotel on the 3rd day of October,2024”
Inemoye Maxwell Brown Esq however called on the Inspector-General of Police,Kayode Egbetokun and the top echelon of the Nigerian Police to attend, with utmost dispatch to the second prayer in the petition of the Client requesting for the sum of N625,000,000 only covering the above period from 12th August, 2023 to 12th September, 2024 be paid within six weeks upon receipt of the correspondence.
Recall that the popular Hotel owner, Euphemie Motel,had through his prayers informed the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the Chairman, Police Service Commission, stated that the 50-bedroom hotel with lodging fee of N25,000 per night and two conference rooms of N100,000 per day with indoor and outdoor relaxation spots, was occupied by the Police Personnel without payment for over 13 months.
According to Inemoye Maxwell Brown, “Our client’s business premises and the facilities are almost in complete ruin and a complete renovation is imminent. And it is imperative to restore their facilities with a view to return to normal business.”
“We therefore call on the Police IG to use his good office to direct your men and officers, who had forcefully moved into and occupied our client’s hotel as described from 12th of August, 2023 till date and counting in Opu Nembe to immediately vacate within six weeks upon receipt of this correspondence”
“That the sum of N625,000,000 only covering the above period from 12th August, 2023 to 12th September, 2024 be paid within six weeks upon receipt of the correspondence.”
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Department of Development Control of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Thursday, reiterated commitment in its fight against activities of land grabbers in the city, with removal of illegal structures in Sabo Lugbe area of Abuja.
To this end, FCTA officials accompanied by joint security personnel stormed and removed about 10 buildings, mostly duplexes and bungalows at their different stages of completion in today at Sabon Lugbe Southwest area, which is part of the phase five district of the Federal Capital City (FCC), for development without approvals from relevant authorities on Thursday.
Director, Department of Development Control, FCT Administration, Mukhtar Galadima explained that this was in continuation of its reinvigorated enforcement exercise targeted at mitigating land use contraventions especially in notorious land grabbing spots in Lugbe, Idu Train Station which is now part of Gosa and Kyami, Apo Tarfi respectively.
Galadima recalled that sometimes back, there was caution over the issue of land grabbing, during which the government warned that it was going to bounce on land grabbers, so that to make sure that all the structures that are close to 50 structures (duplexes and bungalows) will be brought down.
According to him, “We are here for a removal exercise today at Sabon Lugbe Southwest area, which is part of the phase five district of the Federal Capital City (FCC). We just started with just about 10 structures, but tomorrow we are coming back in full swing
“And recall that sometimes back we warned that we are going to bounce on land grabbers. So this is in continuation of the enforcement exercise, which had started.
“We want to inform the general public that for any person to buy any property in Abuja, please ensure that it is rightly titled property with approved development plan, but failing to do so, you could fall into the hands of these land grabbers, and please don’t blame the FCTA.
“There are areas where these land grabbers are really having their feed day. They Idu Train Station, which is now part of Gosa and Kyami, Apo Tarfi area and Lugbe. And today we are in Lugbe, and we will continue as it is a continuous exercise. So, illegal developments will not be entertained.
“The people that are deceiving them that they are going to be integrated into the phase 5 of the FCC should be warned and bewared. There is nothing like integration. Illegality is illegality, and we will continue to remove them.”
On when the design and upgrading of the new phase 5 of the FCC into the Abuja Masterplan will be ready for use, the Director said: “I think the FCT Urban and Regional Planning is working hard on that.”
Niger Government has established the state Price Control and Monitoring Board, approved by Gov. Umaru Bago to ensure fair pricing and consumer protection.
Alh. Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the Niger Government (SSG), inaugurated members of the board on Thursday in Minna.
The eight-member board has Alh.
Hussaini Ahmed, a former Permanent Secretary as the chairman.Usman noted that the inauguration of the board marked a significant step in the state’s commitment to ensuring fair pricing and consumer protection.
He said that the board was expected to control and stabilise prices of essential commodities and eradicate or reduce to the barest minimum, hoarding of essential commodities across the state.
He said that board would also handle issues that may arise as a result of enforcement and penalty for contravention of guidelines among several others.
“The board will be responsible for the distribution, monitoring and evaluation of essential commodities and keep price under continuous surveillance.
“They will also interpret price movement and relate them to other development in the State’s economy,” Usman said.
He said the board was expected to interface with relevant stakeholders such as local government chairmen, traditional institutions and councilors and well as market organisations to ensure the success of their mandate.
The SSG enjoined members of board to bring their wealth of experience and expertise in economics, consumer affairs and market dynamics to bear in their assignment.
He said that their appointment underscored the government’s dedication to maintaining economic stability and safeguarding the interests of both consumers and businesses in the state.
In his remarks, the board chairman, Ahmed, assured that the board would interface with relevant stakeholders within and outside the state in order to bring succour to the populace.
Other members of the board include Hamza Bello, Permanent Secretary, Investment, Aliyu Abubakar, Permanent Secretary, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Garba Abdullahi, from Ministry of Basic Education.
Also on the board are Adamu Maikasuwa, Ministry of Agriculture, DCP Aminu Garba, Nigeria Police, Niger Command, Aminu Ladan, Chairman, Chanchaga Local Government Area and Usman Liman, retired Statistician-General as Secretary of the Board. (NAN)
Police IGP Bow to Pressure, Order SWAT Team out of Occupied Hotel in Nembe
ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa The Inspector -General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun has bowed to pressure over the quit notice...
FCTA Demolishes Structures in Lugbe, FCC Phase 5
ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja The Department of Development Control of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Thursday, reiterated commitment...
AI Powerful Tool in Fight against Cyber Threats, Says
ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Dr. Emomotimi Agama has said that the...
Judiciary Threat to Drmocracy, Jonathan, Fubara Cry out
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja Former President Goodluck Jonathan has taken a swipe at the nation’s judiciary, accusing that arm of...
Niger Govt. Establish Price Control and Monitoring Board
Share Niger Government has established the state Price Control and Monitoring Board, approved by Gov. Umaru Bago to ensure fair...
FAAC: FG, States, LGs Share N1.298trn for September
ShareThe Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), has shared N1.298 trillion among the Federal Government, states, and the Local Government Councils...
Accident Claims 1, LASTMA Decries Non-compliance with Regulations
Share The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has reiterated the importance of strict adherence to traffic laws, emphasising the...
Aradel, GTCO, others Drag Equity Market Down by N127bn
Share The equity market extended its losses on Thursday as the market capitalisation dropped by N127 billion, or 0.21 per...
Gov Fubara’s Judicial Panel a witch Hunt – Rivers APC Chair
Share Dr Tony Okocha, Acting Chairman of the All Progressive Congress(APC), in Rivers, has described the Judicial Commission of Inquiry...
Wike, 27 Rivers Lawmakers not APC – APC Chairman
ShareDr Tony Okocha, Chairman of the All Progressive Congress(APC), in Rivers, has said that FCT minister Nyesom Wike is not...