Ogun pensioners protest N68bn unpaid gratuity, N3,000 monthly stipend – Newstrends
Connect with us

News

Ogun pensioners protest N68bn unpaid gratuity, N3,000 monthly stipend

Published

on

Local government pensioners in Ogun State have called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to increase their monthly pension, saying some of them still receive N3,000 as monthly pension.

The pensioners also demanded the payment of their 10-year outstanding gratuity, which they put at N68 billion.

Defying the morning showers on Wednesday, the aged pensioners marched to the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, but were denied entry.

The pensioners, under the aegis of Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria (LOGPAN), were armed with placards demanding their gratuities’

The placards read: “Gratuities are on sales to pensioners”, “Governor Dapo Abiodun, honour your father and treat pensioners well”. “Governor Abiodun, we don’t deserve this worst humiliation”, among others.

Speaking to newsmen, the State Chairman of LOGPAN, Sikiru Ayilara, lamented the alleged inhuman treatment meted out to retirees by the Abiodun administration.

Ayilara accused Abiodun of failing to keep his promises to the pensioners, regretting that they still earn paltry sums as pensions.

“Some of us still earn a paltry sum of N3,000 as monthly pension.”

He described as a “wicked act”, the quarterly payment of N500 million to clear the outstanding gratuity, saying it would take 34 years to clear.

The chairman stressed that the association had written 13 letters to Gov Abiodun but alleged that the governor had remained recalcitrant and unyielding to their demands.

He said the payment of his members’ pension through the Ministry of Finance “is illegal”, instead, he requested that the Bureau of Local Government Pension be saddled with the responsibility.

“We have written 13 letters to the Governor through various channels without response. We had informed all security apparatus in the state: DSS, Commissioner of Police, Commandant of NSCDC, SSA on security matters to the Governor. They all intervened without any positive response from the Governor.

“We have informed all the four paramount rulers in the state with no result. We have held six meetings with the SSG, Chief of Staff, Head of Service, Commissioner for LG and Chieftaincy Affairs, among other notable government officials.

“Governor Abiodun should honour us, grandfathers and grandmothers, by directing his personal attention to us for us to meet and find a lasting solution to the inhuman treatments being meted to us at our old age, leading to untimely death among us after serving the state for between 10 and 35 years.

“We demand immediate harmonisation of the pensions. Some of us still receive N3,000 monthly as a pension. We demand regular payment of our pensions as it was.”

Reacting to the allegations and complaints by the pensioners, the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi appealed to the protesting pensioners to be more patient with the government.

He said, “the government is currently experiencing hard times” as a result of the paucity of funds.

He, however, assured that the state government would look into the demands of the aggrieved senior citizens.

Daily Post

News

UK deports 43 to Nigeria, Ghana over immigration offences

Published

on

UK deports 43 to Nigeria, Ghana over immigration offences

The United Kingdom has deported 43 individuals to Nigeria and Ghana, citing immigration offences, including failed asylum applications and criminal convictions.

In a joint statement released by the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Friday, UK authorities confirmed the removal but did not specify the exact date of the deportations.

According to the statement, the deportees included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign nationals who had completed prison sentences. An additional seven individuals reportedly returned to their home countries voluntarily.

“Those removed had no right to be in the UK and included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign national offenders who had served their sentences. Seven people returned voluntarily,” the statement noted.

READ ALSO:

However, the government did not clarify how many were sent to each country or confirm if all were nationals of Nigeria and Ghana.

Since Prime Minister Keir Starmer took office, the UK has organized two charter deportation flights to Nigeria and Ghana, removing a total of 87 people. In October, a record 44 individuals were deported in a single flight to both countries.

This shift comes after the collapse of the controversial UK-Rwanda migration deal, which was ruled unlawful by the UK Supreme Court in 2023. The deal aimed to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing and resettlement.

In response, the UK reportedly signed a deportation agreement with Nigeria to facilitate the return of undocumented migrants.

Following the latest flight, UK Border Security and Asylum Minister Angela Eagle expressed gratitude to the Nigerian and Ghanaian governments for their cooperation, calling the operation an example of strong international collaboration.

The UK government also noted that over 24,000 individuals have been removed from the country over the past year—an 11% increase compared to the previous year.

UK deports 43 to Nigeria, Ghana over immigration offences

Continue Reading

News

Zamfara okays 100% increase in NYSC members’ state allowances

Published

on

Zamfara okays 100% increase in NYSC members’ state allowances

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to Zamfara State are set to receive double their previous state allowances following a directive by Governor Dauda Lawal.

The governor made this known on Friday during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream I orientation course in Gusau. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Nakwada, Lawal reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to corps members’ security and welfare.

“I am happy to inform you that I have directed the resumption of payment of state allowances to all corps members in the state.“I have also directed the upward increments of corps members’ allowances by 100 percent.“My administration is also willing to pay special allowances to the medical corps members serving in the state,” he stated.

READ ALSO:

He also encouraged the 550 corps members deployed to Zamfara to embrace the state’s cultural heritage and traditions.

“I assure corps members of adequate security and warm hospitality throughout their year of service in the state.“I wish to reiterate that we will pay full attention to your security and welfare.“We will give you all the necessary support to carry out your duties and will provide everything necessary to make your stay here a memorable one,” the governor added.

In his remarks, NYSC State Coordinator Mohammad Ahmad expressed gratitude for the state government’s ongoing backing of the scheme.

“We appreciate the state government for adequate provision of additional facilities as well as approval for the payment of state allowances to corps members,” Ahmad said.

Zamfara okays 100% increase in NYSC members’ state allowances

Continue Reading

News

Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget

Published

on

Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget

A factional House of Assembly has emerged in Zamfara state with members demanding the re-presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill by Governor Dauda Lawal.

The group, made up of nine lawmakers who were suspended in February 2024 over allegations of misconduct, conspiracy, and illegal sitting, convened in Gusau, the state capital, and declared the formation of a parallel legislative body.

At the session, the lawmakers elected Hon. Bashir Aliyu Gummi as Speaker of the factional assembly.

During the sitting, the faction addressed several issues, including the state’s deteriorating security situation, economic challenges, and the recent reports of mass sackings within the state civil service allegedly carried out by the Lawal administration.

READ ALSO:

The group further demanded that Governor Lawal re-present the 2025 budget, arguing that the process followed in its initial passage was flawed. The governor had originally submitted the N545 billion Appropriation Bill to the widely-known State House of Assembly led by Speaker Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki in December 2024. The bill was passed and signed into law that same month.

Present at Wednesday’s session were Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South), Ibrahim Tudu Tukur (Bakura), Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North), and Faruk Musa Dosara (Maradun 1). Others included Bashar Aliyu (Gummi 1), Bashir Abubakar Masama (Bukkuyum North), Amiru Ahmed (Tsafe West), Basiru Bello (Bungudu West), and Mukhtaru Nasiru (Kaura Namoda North).

 

Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget

Continue Reading

Trending