The National Union of Pensioners (NUP) reported that certain state retirees receive as little as N450, N500, and N1,000 as their monthly pension.
This declaration came from the union president, Godwin Abumisi, during a press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday.
Abumisi expressed sorrow over the economic downturn in the country, highlighting that numerous members of the union are facing considerable hardships.
“In Nigeria, the government does not think about the poor people.
“Otherwise, how can pensioners in Enugu receive as low as N450 as a monthly pension? We have been saying this, but it seems as if we are crying wolf, but it is a reality,” he said.
Abumusi highlighted the issue of retirees receiving extremely low pension payments, ranging from N450 to N1,000, which is particularly widespread in the Southeastern states.
The NUP President further elucidated that the variation in pension rates across the country stemmed from a lack of pension harmonisation, a matter the union has consistently advocated for.
Abumisi emphasized that the situation is compounded by many states’ failure to implement the reviewed minimum wage of N18,000 in 2010 and N30,000 in 2019.
He pointed out that the failure of numerous state governments to implement and review the minimum wage has also resulted in pension increases corresponding to these wage reviews not being realized in the referenced states.
In 2023, the Federal Government expressed interest in raising the pension of retirees, as indicated in the report on pension harmonisation submitted to the Federal Government by the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission.
The NSIWC informed the executive committee of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (All Sectoral Units/Parastatals) Nationwide that the commission was actively following up on the report submitted to the Federal Government regarding retirees’ pensions.
Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead a powerful delegation to cheer the Super Eagles against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
Naija News gathered that Shettima would be in attendance during Sunday’s decider slated for the Alassanne Quattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan.
According to SocreNigeria, the vice president is expected to be accompanied on the journey to Ivory Coast by a number of top government officials.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Elephants of Ivory Coast again in the final at 9 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, after meeting in the group stage.
Recall that Shettima jetted into Cote d’Ivoire on the eve of the team’s semi-final victory against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
The country’s number two citizen watched the game live at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake and later celebrated with the players and their officials in the dressing room after the game.
The senator representing Delta North senatorial district at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Ned Nwoko has shared his concern over the future of Nigerian youths.
He promised to sponsor more youths in skills acquisition.
He stated this when he paid an unscheduled visit to Ned/GKE Skills Acquisition Center during his assessment tour in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The senator stated that skills acquired would provide the necessary training for the youths to empower themselves and also become self-reliant.
He promised to assist in funding of the Skills Acquisition Centre so that more Nigerian youths, especially those from Delta North, benefit from it.
According to him, “I have gone round the skill acquisition center and I’m satisfied with what I saw on ground and the management of the center.
“Apart from the fact that the management of Ned/GKE Skills Acquisition Centre worked for my election as a senator, I am happy that you all are doing things to assist yourselves vocationally.
“I’m more concerned about the future of Nigerian youths and citizens generally; the skills acquisition centre will provide the necessary training for them and make them economically empowered and self-reliant to themselves.”
The senator stated that he was highly impressed with the level of quality and standard at the skills acquisition centre.
The President of Ned/GKE Skills Acquisition Centre, Emmanuel Okocha, explained that the center was satisfied with Nwoko’s mentoring ability, hence the establishment of the centre.
Commending the senator for his visit and funding of the center, Okocha assured that the Skills Acquisition Centre will be sustained with a view to train more youths and keep them away from streets.
Nigerian singer, Inetimi Alfred Timaya Odon, popularly known as Timaya, has likened romantic relationships with Nigerian ladies to thieves and police.
In a recent interview with The Beat 99.9 FM, Lagos, Timaya said he cannot date a Nigerian girl despite his three baby mamas being Nigerians.
The singer also advised Nigerian ladies to avoid dating Nigerian men, stating that his current lover isn’t a Nigerian.
According to him, the relationship between two Nigerians is toxic and deceitful.
He said, “If I am a Nigerian girl, I will not date a Nigerian man. Myself right now, I can’t date a Nigerian girl. My current lover is not Nigerian.
“I can’t date a Nigerian lady because we have the same foundation; the same upbringing. The relationship go be like police and thief. The relationship will be too toxic. We go dey lie for each other too much. We won’t even have peace.”
Meanwhile, Timaya, has opened up on how he struggled to give up drug addiction.
Naija News reports that the singer, in a recent interview with The Beat 99.9 FM, Lagos, admitted to engaging in drugs during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
The ‘Dem Mama’ crooner said he got introduced to drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic by some young boys who get extraordinarily excited after consuming molly.
Timaya described his experience of breaking off from drugs as a “tough fight.”
Former Nigerian international, Segun Odegbami, has predicted an easy victory for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their AFCON 2023 final clash against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.
According to Odegbami, the Super Eagles have beaten Ivory Coast before in the group stages and that alone should give the Nigerian team a psychological edge.
He added that the Elephants are not as good as the Eagles and have only been lucky to make it to the finals of the tournament.
Speaking on Friday during an interview with Channels TV, Odegbami however, who maintained the Eagles are going to defeat their opponents hands down on Sunday despite the home support, urged the government to provide encouragement for the supporters team so they can counter the Ivorian fans who are sure to storm the stadium on Sunday.
He said, “We have beaten Ivory Coast before; we defeated them in the group stage, which gives us a psychological edge. Also, the hosts have not played well; they are not one of the top teams; they’ve been lucky. It’s a miracle they’ve gotten to this stage; they haven’t earned or deserved it on the pitch.
“In the final on Sunday, it will be a noise-making, vociferous crowd trying to lift their players against a team that should be prepared for no distractions and focused for 90 minutes.
“The Super Eagles play their game against a team that respects us; on the street, the Ivorians know we are superior; we just need to display it.
“Our players must believe, and I know we shall outplay them. It’s going to be our easiest match; it’s going to be a training session, and Nigeria will defeat them hands down.”
He added that, “We’re going to be up against 60,000 Ivorian fans, and they will overwhelm any kind of support we provide. I urge the government to provide support for our supporters; we need their voice. When we score, you see the players rush to the stands because they know how important they are.”
In a recent development at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Cyril Ndifon, alongside his lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu, have been granted bail.
Both were arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on amended charges, including allegations of sexual harassment and attempts to pervert the course of justice.
The court’s decision to grant bail came amid the ongoing trial, where Prof. Ndifon faces four counts related to the grave accusations.
In securing his temporary release, Ndifon was required to post bail in the sum of N250 million, alongside two sureties.
Similarly, his lawyer, Anyanwu, was granted bail for N50 million, also with two sureties.
Ruling on their bail application on Friday, the trial judge, Justice James Omotoso, said, “Bail is granted to the first defendants in the sum of N250m with two sureties who own properties within FCT with a minimum valuation of N150m.
“The first defendant and his two sureties must submit their bank statements.
“The first defendants must submit his International passport to the court.
“The second defendant is granted bail in the sum of N50m with two sureties who will submit their bank statements.
“The defendants must file an undertaking not to interfere with the case, readiness to attend trial and not to cause delay.”
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till Monday for continuation of hearing.
In a heartfelt video, Joseph Aloba, father to the late singer Mohbad, was seen overcome with emotion, tears streaming down his face while listening and vibing to one of his yet-to-be-released songs.
Just recently, specifically on Monday, Mohbad’s mother, Abosede, made shocking allegations against Aloba, claiming that he is not the biological father of the late singer.
She accused Aloba of being a “thief” who is only interested in capitalizing on Mohbad’s death for financial gain.
Abosede also issued a three-day ultimatum for Aloba to undergo a DNA test to determine if he is Mohbad’s father.
In the wake of Abosede’s claim going viral, Aloba was captured in a new video, singing one of his unreleased tracks, visibly tearing up at intervals as he grappled with the situation.
In the song, Aloba questions why people delight in spreading rumors about him. Singing in the Yoruba language, he expresses bewilderment, wondering what he has done to deserve the “hate and criticism” directed towards him.
Aloba laments that he is now uncertain about who truly supports him, feeling a sense of betrayal where he cannot distinguish between his family and his enemies.
Mohbad, ex-Marlian record signee, died under mysterious circumstances on September 12. He was buried the following day.
On September 21, the body of the 27-year-old music star was exhumed by the police for autopsy.
Due to the controversy surrounding Mohbad’s death, his family has been in the public eye.
Issues concerning the paternity of Liam, Mohbad’s son with Omowunmi, have also been the subject of discussion.
Last month, Aloba accused Omowunmi of threatening to kill him.
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VIDEO: Super Eagles players observe minute silence for Nigerians who passed on during their match against South Africa
AdminThe Super Eagles players on Thursday night, February 9, observed a minute silence for the four Nigerians who died during their match against South Africa on Wednesday, February 7.
An APC chieftain, Cairo Ojougboh, an Ivory Coast based Nigerian businessman, a serving NYSC member as well as the Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi, all died on Wednesday night, Feb. 7, while watching the semi-finals between Nigeria and South Africa in the ongoing AFCON.
The players gathered and observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased Nigerians and went on to say prayers for the repose of their souls and for God to comfort their families.
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The Catholic Bishops of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province, comprising Lagos Archdiocese, Ijebu Ode, and Abeokuta Dioceses, have rejected Pope Francis’s approval of same-sex marriage.
They insisted that they would not bless same-sex marriage.
The bishops’ position was contained in a Thursday’s communiqué issued after their January 26 plenary meeting in Lagos.
Speaking through the communique, signed by their chairman and secretary, Archbishop of Lagos and Bishop of Ijebu-Ode, Most Rev Alfred Martins, and Most Rev Francis Adesina, respectively, the bishops declared: “No to blessing of same-sex unions.”
They noted that they were in total agreement with the position of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and that of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar concerning the blessing of homosexual unions or same-sex couples.”
“We affirm that the teaching of the Catholic Church on marriage as the union of a man and a woman in a stable and exclusive relationship, open to bearing children, remains the same. We also affirm the Church’s teaching on human sexuality and urge the faithful to be guided by it,” they said.
Naija News reports that the Vatican had earlier in 2021 decreed that the Catholic Church would not bless gay marriages because God “cannot bless sin”.
However, in 2023, Francis hinted that he would be open to having the Catholic Church bless same-sex unions.
The Nigerian Army special forces sent by the Chief of Army Staff to Ekiti State has apprehended one of the suspected kidnappers terrorising the Ikere/Igbara Odo axis of the state.
The suspect, who gave his name as Sanusi Dangani from Kano state, was arrested less than twelve hours after the special forces arrived in the state.
He was paraded before newsmen at the Fajuyi Pavilion in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, February 8, 2024.
Speaking to newsmen on the development, the Special Adviser to Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Security Matters, retired Brigadier General Ebenezer Ogundana, said the Force swung into action after receiving an intelligence report.
He, however, explained that five other suspects fled during the gun battle and are being pursued by the Nigerian Army.
Ogundana vowed that the Force would not tolerate any criminal activity in the state.
The suspect was found with various weapons and items, including a dane gun, a double barrel pistol, lighters, torches, bottles of alcoholic drinks, phones, a cutlass, and a knife.
Below are pictures of the suspect,
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A suspected female kidnapper, Janet Igohia, married to a notorious criminal who is the second-in-command to the late Hana Terwase, has been arrested in Taraba State.
Naija News learnt that the troops from 93 Battalion under 6 Bridget of the Nigerian Army arrested the 31-year-old suspect while trying to pick ransom for an abducted victim in Taraba.
The army spokesperson, Lieutenant Oni Olubodunde, in a statement on Thursday, disclosed that the female kidnapper was arrested after picking up the sum of N1.5million, being ransom payment for an abducted victim in Chanchangi area in Takum LGA of the state.
He said, “She is currently married to the leader of a violent extremist group in southern Taraba. According to her, she had previously been married to high profile criminals such as late Terkibi Gemaga aka Mopol, a notorious kidnapper who was killed by troops five years ago.
“She revealed that she also got married to late Gana Terwase, another notorious criminal who was killed during a joint special force operation three years ago.”
The spokesperson also disclosed that the troops apprehended a notorious gunrunner, Joshua Dutse Idah, dealing in arms and ammunition and supplying them to criminals within Taraba State and other parts of the country.
He said the troops working on credible intelligence on the activities of the arms dealer arrested the 45-year-old suspect.
He further explained that the troops had trailed the suspect, leading to his arrest in Ibbi town of Ibbi Local Government Area of the state while driving to Kaduna State in a blue Volkswagen Sharon vehicle with registration number Rivers SKN-390AA.
Lt. Olubodunde added that on interrogation, Dutse confessed he was going to Katsina State to bring AK-47 rifles for which he received part payment of N300,000.
He said, “After a thorough search on the vehicle, troops recovered 1 PK machine gun, 399 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and 3 AK-47 rifle magazines.”
Two students of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, have died after reportedly inhaling fumes from a generator.
The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya confirmed this in a telephone interview with DAILY POST on Thursday evening.
Aya disclosed that the victims were identified as Bilikisu Tijani Eleojo, 20 years old, and Ibrahim Haliru.
According to him, a generating set was close to the window of the deceased victims, before they slept off.
The lifeless bodies of the duo were reportedly recovered in the room by neighbours in the early hours of the day.
“There were three students from Kogi Polytechnic inside the room. One Bilikisu Tijani Eleojo, 20 years old, Ibrahim Haliru and Mercy Ojochegbe.
“When they slept inside their room, a generator was switched on close to the window of their apartment.
“They all slept off and inhaled carbon monoxide as a result of the generator set that was on.
“Bilikisu Tijani Eleojo and Ibrahim Haliru were already dead when neighbors discovered the sad incident in the morning, while Mercy Ojochegbe who was still breathing was immediately rushed to the hospital.
“The incident was reported at the B division of the Nigeria Police Force, Lokoja and investigation is ongoing,” he stated.
He admonished residents to always be safety conscious to avert carbon monoxide poisoning in their homes.
He said, “People should be very careful once they are using a generator set in their homes.
“They should give it a distance and also it should not be closer to the window where they are living.
“Some may say because of the fear that people will come and steal the generator, they won’t apply these safety precautions. It is wrong.
“It is when someone is alive that he or she would be able to accomplish things in this world. Safety should always be our watchword.”
A former attorney general of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has disclosed that a Kaduna-based businessman, Mahdi Shehu, was arrested while attempting to extort money from him.
Mr Shehu’s lawyer, M.I. Abubakar, on Wednesday had accused the Nigeria police of arresting the controversial activist over his recent call for the prosecution of Mr Malami and other top officials of the immediate-past administration.
He said his client was arrested by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Monitoring Unit, ostensibly on a petition written by the former minister.
But a statement issued by Mr Malami’s law firm, A.A. Malami SAN and Co, and signed by M.E. Sheriff, said the controversial activist was arrested in a hotel while demanding the sum of $500,000.
While dismissing the activist’s claims, Mr Sheriff said the suspect was arrested on allegations of extortion, criminal intimidation, and attempt to obtain money by false pretence against a syndicate using GSM Numbers and email addresses.
“Our attention has been drawn to the above press statement that was made on February 7, 2024, as well as that of 13th January 2021, and we, as solicitors to Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN and his family, noted with grave concern that the press statement is totally not correct, misleading, malicious, and a grossly misrepresentation of the facts leading to the arrest.
“Therefore, we write to set the record straight for the benefit of the public.
“Without prejudice to the police investigation that is ongoing, the true facts relate to the complaint/petition which we wrote to the Inspector General of Police on allegations bothering on extortion, criminal intimidation, and an attempt to obtain money by false pretence against a syndicate using GSM numbers and email addresses.
“This led to the ongoing investigation into the complaint by the police.
“In the course of the investigation, the police monitored the sustained communications between our clients and the syndicate, wherein the syndicate disclosed and gave Room Number 9, Summerset Continental Hotel, situated at No. 73 Usuma Street, Maitama, Abuja, as a place where our client would meet the syndicate’s agent for their own payments.
“On reaching the hotel and the room number, Mahdi Shehu was found therein at the scene with copies of documents that were used and sent to our client by the syndicate.
“Some of the documents which the police retrieved from Mahdi Shehu specifically lend credence to yet another petition of our client that bothers on hacking and financial improprieties affecting Hajiya Aisha Abubakar Malami.
“On account of the compromise of our client’s emails, sensitive information was unlawfully extracted from an email account, and the sum of over N19,000,000.00 (Nineteen Million Naira) was unlawfully taken out of our client’s account by the syndicate, which turns out to be a syndicate of which Mahdi was coordinating via a group chat which he joined through the following phone numbers, viz: +2348033316644 and +2348096626226.
“He came over to the said provided address to collect $500,000 (Five Hundred thousand US Dollar) at the instance of the syndicate.”
While appealing to Nigerians to encourage the police to conduct its investigation, Mr Malami said all the documents recovered thus far are with the police for anyone who cares to verify them.
Four women and two men were docked in a Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State for allegedly attacking, assaulting and blackmailing the popular Nollywood actress, Lizzy Anjorin-Lawal.
According to the Nigeria Police, the accused committed the offences on February 25, 2024 at about 1:30pm.
Qudus Jokogbola, Siri Olawale, Edu Shakirat, Fausat Mohammed, Kafayat Ahmed and Opere Morenike were charged with conspiracy, breach of peace and causing bodily harm.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Samuel Ishola, told the court that the six defendants and two others at large committed the alleged offences at Oba Akintoye Market, Lagos Island, Lagos State.
Counsel to the defendants, S. Ade Oshodi and Ademola Olabiyi, announced their appearance for the defendants and nominal complainant’s lawyer respectively.
Prosecutor Ishola informed the court that the defendants and two others at large conspired among themselves and forcefully pushed and dragged the complainant, Anjorin-Lawal, causing her bodily injuries.
The prosecutor also told the court that the defendants’ actions caused a breach of public peace.
He told the court that the offences committed by the defendants contravened sections 168(d), 170(b) 411 and 413(2) of the criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 413(2) stipulates a two-year jail term for anyone found guilty of causing injury to a person or reputation of any person, or to depreciate the value of any person or property.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their not guilty plea, Oshodi, who led six other lawyers, informed the court that all his clients were market men and women.
He therefore urged the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.
Responding to the lawyer’s request, the prosecutor said granting of bail is at court’s discretion, but that they should be admitted to bail in terms and conditions that will ensure they come for their trial.
Magistrate A. A. Paul in his ruling admitted each of the defendants to bail in the sum of N200 000, with one surety in like sum
The Magistrate also ordered that the sureties must be residents of Lagos State with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government among others.
Paul ordered that the defendants should be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services until they perfect their bail terms.
The case has been adjourned until March 11, 2034 for mention.