News
Army board of inquiry on Okuama killing commences sitting in Delta
The Board of Inquiry set up by Defence Headquarters to investigate the March 14 killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama, Delta State, is scheduled to commence sitting on Wednesday (today) in Warri.
Chairman of the Board, Air Vice Marshal David Ajayi, told Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in Warri that they were on a fact-finding mission and not to apportion blame.
“We are here to gather facts from security agencies, community leaders, and community dwellers.
“This report will also help us to ensure healthy communication that will enhance civil-military relations and ensure that economic activities thrive again in the affected communities,” he said.
However, Okuama leaders said the people would not be part of the inquiry.
One leader said: “Our people cannot participate in the military inquiry because Okuama people are displaced in the bush. How can people come out to attend such meetings? They are not even safe now.”
Besides the Okuama leader, the community’s lawyer before the March 14 incident, Ejedegba Innocent, confirmed that Okuama people would not attend the sitting.
On the contrary, a leader of the Okoloba community, which has a land dispute with the Okuama, indicated that his people would participate in the inquiry today.
It was gathered that the panel would commence sitting in the morning, and meet with Okoloba community leaders from 2 pm.
The panel would resume sitting in Bayelsa State on the issue on Friday.
Delta State government has indicated interest in presenting a position paper to the military inquiry.
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Akugbene-mein Kingdom, Bomadi Local Government Area, HRH Kalanama VIII, said that they did not invite his community to the sitting.
News
Lagos arrests 94 during midnight raid on rail track squatters
The Lagos State Government has arrested 94 persons during a midnight operation on rail track squatters.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab announced the operation on X.com on Wednesday.
According to him, the arrest followed complaints from citizens about illegal squatters, miscreants, and suspected criminal activities along rail track corridors.
Wahad said a locally fabricated short gun, several wraps of illicit substances suspected to be Indian hemp, charms, and a jackknife were recovered from the suspects.
He wrote, “In response to complaints from residents, commuters, and concerned citizens about the nefarious activities of illegal squatters, miscreants, and suspected criminal elements along rail track corridors, the agency conducted a midnight raid along the rail track from Pen-Cinema under the bridge up to Fagba Junction.
“Ninety-four suspects were arrested during the operation, and a locally fabricated short gun, several wraps of illicit substances suspected to be Indian hemp, charms, and a jackknife were recovered.
“The suspects will be charged in court accordingly.”
News
Okpebholo suspends revenue collection in Edo State
Edo Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of collection of all revenues in in the state, with particular attention on motor parks and others, until further notice.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Okpebholo also ordered the State Police Commissioner to arrest anyone who flouts the order.
The Governor said he will review the issues surrounding the collections soon and decide on the way forward.
“The collection of revenues in the State has been suspended indefinitely. Anyone seen collecting revenues on behalf of the State Government will be arrested.
“The Commissioner of Police is hereby ordered to arrest anyone who flouts the order and collects any kind of revenues on behalf of the State Government.
“The Governor will soon address the issues and concerns raised. He will issue new directives soon. Until then, no one is authorised to collect revenues on behalf of the State Government,” the statement noted.
News
FG to begin payment of pension backlog – Edun
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, says the Federal Government will soon begin payment of pension backlog.
Edun said this during a peaceful rally by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS) at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Tuesday.
“We will start next week to pay everything that we can under the current budget as approved by the National Assembly. What has happened now is that there is backlog in terms of contributions and there is a solution.
“There has been a committee under the Office of the Head Of Service which has met the minister of budget, and I. We have a plan for dealing with the backlog under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
“We are committed to paying it. It has to be paid this year. We are committed to doing that starting from next week,” Edun said.
“We have to have a solution that takes care of everybody, and that is being worked on. Its going to be a question of going to the capital market and raising an instrument that allows that backlog to be cleared once and for all.
“We are going to present to the president, a viable solution using the financial market taking care of the huge backlog under the CPS,” Edun said
He reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to pensioners welfare.
“I am not happy that you have had to take this step and I assure you that any time that you or your leaders seek audience with me, I will be available in the office.
“I was not aware of the Nov. 11 deadline, otherwise I will never have allowed a situation like this. In spite of your age, your situation in terms of cost of living, it costs money to come here. I would have avoided that as much as I could,” Edun said.
Speaking earlier during the protest, the National Chairman of NUPCPS, Mr Sylva Nwaiwu, said CPS had never benefited from any increment of the National Minimum Wage Act.
Nwaiwu said that the Federal Government had not released accrued rights for pensioners for over 20 months (since March 2023 till date).
“Our senior citizens are suffering, after using our youthful years to serve our father land and we get this in return. Please use your good office to help us. Some of our members are bedridden and some have died in the struggle. We cannot feed ourselves, take care of our family or take care of our medical bills anymore,” he said.
The chairman said that they had dropped several letters for the minister but none was acknowledged which made the union members to stage this peaceful rally. Nwaiwu, however, commended the president for raising minimum wage.
Mrs Christiana Ubah, a pensioner, said that she retired in 2015 from the budget office of the federation, and could no longer feed herself. ” See how my face is, it is hunger.”
She complained that for six months, her pension had not been paid by African Alliance, saying that the government needs to come to our aid.
“Among us here are people that retired since march last year and have not been paid a kobo. look at how harsh the economy is because of our leaders.
“We do not have anything to live on now, every year they will tell us in the media that pension fund asset has increased, so why are pensioners not paid.
“We have a constitution in the country that every five years salaries will increase and pension will increase too. We want this reflected,” Ubah said.
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