metro
Military retirees protest unpaid entitlements at Finance ministry headquarters
Military retirees protest unpaid entitlements at Finance ministry headquarters
Scores of retired military personnel on Thursday morning stormed the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Finance and shut down the place over non-payment of their entitlements by the government.
The retirees, who arrived at the protesting ground as early as 7:30am with sleeping mats, chairs and canopies, accused the federal government of not paying them a 20% to 28% salary increment from January to November 2024.
The fresh protest came less than 12 hours after another group of retired military personnel under the aegis of Ex-Service Men and Family Welfare Association of Nigeria also held a rally to demand payment of pension arrears.
Addressing journalists after they locked up the entrance of the ministry, the leader of the protesting retirees, Innocent Azubuike, a retired Colonel said non-payment of their entitlements had caused untold hardship for them.
When asked why they took their protest to the Ministry of Finance instead of defence ministry, Azubuike said the latter had concluded its part, saying all necessary approvals had been given.
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He said what remains is the cash-back of those approvals, insisting that they would continue to remain on the protest ground until their demands are met by the government.
Their demands, according to the Colonel, include their owed payments for palliatives from October 2023 to November 2024 and the payment of an additional N32,000 to their pensions.
Others are bulk payment of the Security Debarment Allowance, and a refund of deductions made from the pensions of medically boarded soldiers, among several other demands.
He said they had waited for 11 months for their dues before they resorted to protest.
The retired senior officer said that despite assurances that their entitlements would be cleared in November, they were informed that the payments could not be made due to a lack of cash backing.
“We were told to exercise patience and assured that our long-unpaid entitlements would be settled in November. November is gone, and there is no indication of when this will happen because it’s a matter with the FMoF and not the Ministry of Defence.”
Military retirees protest unpaid entitlements at Finance ministry headquarters
metro
FG okays closure of Independence Bridge in Lagos from Wednesday
FG okays closure of Independence Bridge in Lagos from Wednesday
By Dada Jackson
The Federal Ministry of Works has informed the motoring public of the closure of the Independence Bridge (Marina bound) in Lagos, commencing on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025.
It said in a statement on Monday that the closure was necessary to facilitate essential maintenance and rehabilitation work on the bridge.
The closure will affect people travelling from the Ahmadu Bello Way & Adeola Odeku Road towards Marina, Eko Bridge and Onikan by Zone 2, according to the statement.
The independence bridge would remain closed until the end of May 2025 for the repairs, it added.
Motorists are therefore advised to plan their journeys accordingly and seek alternative routes, it stated.
“The Federal Ministry of Works apologizes for any inconvenience this closure may cause and appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation as we strive to ensure the safety and stability of our road infrastructure,” the statement signed by the Federal Controller of Works for Lagos, Engr. (Mrs) O I Kesha, said.
metro
Lagos, MTN Nigeria unveil “My Lagos App”
Lagos, MTN Nigeria unveil “My Lagos App”
The Lagos State government, in collaboration with MTN Nigeria, has launched the ‘My Lagos App’ aimed at making urban living in the state more seamless and efficient. The app was unveiled at MTN Plaza, Ikoyi, Lagos in a bid to make urban life in the city seamless and easy.
The app is designed to provide a range of features that enhance various activities, promoting economic growth, accountability, transparency, and real-time updates.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, highlighted the importance of this digital solution in a rapidly growing city like Lagos. The app serves as a vital link between the government and citizens, promoting accountability, transparency, and real-time updates.
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“The app is a comprehensive digital solution that provides seamless access to essential city services, including real-time traffic updates, personalised navigation, emergency services, utility payment services, business listings, and tourism information; the app will serve as a vital link between the the government and the citizens, it simplifies access to public services, promotes accountability and transparency, provide real time update,”Mr Governor said
Sanwo- Olu emphasised the importance of such collaboration between the government and private sectors, adding that “this partnership exemplifies the power of synergy between the Public and private sectors in driving meaningful progress.”
The governor encouraged Lagos residents to make use of this platform “as we are now in the digital age as technology is no longer luxury but necessity “I urge everyone in Lagos to embrace this app, download it, explore its features and fully utilize the services that it offers,” he said.
Lagos, MTN Nigeria unveil “My Lagos App”
metro
TUC backs NYSC member for criticising Tinubu administration
TUC backs NYSC member for criticising Tinubu administration
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has expressed support for Ushie Uguamaye, a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, who has claimed to have received threats after criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
TUC President, Festus Osifo, speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, backed Uguamaye’s stance, suggesting that her comments were born out of frustration. Osifo urged the government to show tolerance toward critics rather than target them.
He emphasized the importance of allowing room for constructive criticism, which is vital for a healthy democracy.
However, Osifo also advised critics to maintain a level of decorum and ensure their critiques are within acceptable norms, promoting respectful dialogue and fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect.
He said, “They (government) have to develop this resilience to understand that people are frustrated, people are hungry, people are tired. So, if they decide to vent, I strongly believe that the government should not personalise it and come after such individuals.
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“Imagine a young lady carrying out her NYSC function, what does she really have to do to bring down government? So, it is about personal frustration that she has aired.
“So, I think that the government has to persevere much more, they have to be more tolerant, and they have to have this deep level of patience with Nigerians because people are passing through a lot as it stands today.”
Raye, a corps member serving in Lagos, recently made headlines after a video she posted criticising government policies went viral.
She later claimed to have faced threats, reportedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to take down the video.
In the video posted on her TikTok account #talktoraye on Saturday, Raye voiced frustration over Nigeria’s deteriorating economic situation, lamenting that hard work no longer guarantees financial stability.
She criticised Tinubu’s leadership, calling him a “terrible leader,” and questioned the government’s commitment to easing citizens’ hardships.
However, the NYSC has yet to release an official statement regarding the issue.
TUC backs NYSC member for criticising Tinubu administration
(Punch)
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