Osun APC Chieftain Begs Tinubu To Intervene In Contributory Pensioners’ Plights

Osun APC chieftain begs Tinubu to intervene in contributory pensioners’ plights. The politician said that many pensioners were paid 50 per cent and 25 per cent lump sum.

Achieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to look into the plights of contributory pensioners in the country.

Mr Oyintiloye, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council, made the appeal while speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Osogbo.

The APC chieftain said that delayed, non-payment of pensions, inadequate funding and corruption within the pension scheme led to hardship and financial stress for pensioners.

Mr Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, said that since 2004, when the Pensions Reform Act(PRA 2004) on the contributory pension scheme was introduced by the Federal Government, the pensioner had not been treated fairly.

According to him, many pensioners, after two to three years are unable to access their pension while some are paid 50 per cent and 25 per cent lump sum.

The APC said that it was sad that many civil servants who had served the government for 35 years were being subjected to untold hardship after retirement due to delay and poor payment.

Mr Oyintiloye, who commended Mr Tinubu for approving N758 billion bond in February to clear 16 years pension liabilities, said that more needed to be done to save pensioners from untold hardships after retirement.

He urged the President to work with the National Assembly to review the 2004 Pensions Reform Act to enable pensioners to withdraw their retirement savings immediately after exiting the public service.

Mr Oyintiloye said that such a step would enable them to cater for themselves, venture into any business of their choice rather than living on 25 per cent lump sum of their savings and the monthly peanut.

He said that the life pensioners were living after retirement due to poor pay and delay could destroy the morale of those still in service and the coming generations.

APC

He stated, “I want to appeal to the President to look into the plights of pensioners under the contributory scheme. The 2004 Pension Act needs reviewing to enable pensioners to lead a decent life after retirement.

Due to poverty and delay in payment, many retirees cannot afford a decent meal, good health care, good housing, among others after retirement. The intervention of the President will go a long way in bringing relief to retirees and hope for those who are still in active service. That is why I am pleading to the President to intervene.

He has shown that he is a leader with the capacity to solve problems. His intervention will go a long way in bringing relief to these people and hope for those who are still in active service.’’

Governor Makinde Visits Burnt Aleshinloye Market, Halts Planned Demolition Of Affected Section

Governor Makinde visits burnt Aleshinloye market, halts planned demolition of affected section. Mr Makinde said that his administration would restructure the market and ensure proper architecture to avert recurrence.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday visited the Aleshinloye market, Ibadan, where a section got burnt on March 12.

Mr Makinde, while on-the-spot assessment of the incident, ordered suspension of the planned demolition of the burnt section until a proper alternative had been provided for the affected traders.

Recall that the fire outbreak occurred in the early hours of March 12, at the plastic and rubber section of the market, which destroyed goods worth millions of naira.

The governor made it known that his administration had provided some sort of palliatives to serve as immediate cushion for victims of the incident.

Oyo Gov. Makinde

He added that the state government, the Ibadan South-West Local Government Area and the Ibadan South Local Council Development Area would work on cushioning effect of the incident on traders in the next few days.

He, however, said that his administration would restructure the market, put in place a proper architecture that could avert future fire outbreaks.

“We have to enlighten the people. It is better to avoid anything that can lead to fire incident than to curtail it. So, the advocacy should be that people should store things, especially things with potential to get burnt with utmost caution,” he added.

Fubara Expresses Feeling Of Depressed Over Rivers Emergency Rule

Fubara expresses feeling of depressed over Rivers emergency rule says “I feel depressed over Rivers emergency rule”.

Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers state, says he feels depressed over the declaration of emergency rule in the state.

BACKGROUND

On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the prolonged political crisis in the state.

Tinubu also suspended Fubara as governor of the state; Ngozi Odu, the deputy governor; and all members of the Rivers assembly for an initial period of six months.

The president appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.

‘WE FEEL DEPRESSED’

Speaking on Monday when Muslim leaders visited him at his private residence in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Fubara said he and his team feel depressed over the situation.

“We, as humans, might feel a bit depressed because of the situation. Maybe because of what we are seeing, but we might not understand that what is deeper and beyond us has happened,” he said.

“But in everything, we have decided to give glory to the almighty God.
“This season is one of love, sharing, and sacrifice. You have come to share in our pain and have made a great sacrifice through your prayers,” he said.

Fubara Expresses Feeling Of Depressed

“As Christians, we believe that everything happens for a purpose, and I strongly believe that this situation is leading us toward a greater purpose.

“No matter what we see, we must remain steadfast. In all things, we give glory to Almighty God. I believe that, in the end, we will emerge stronger.

“If God could be patient with Noah to allow even the snail to enter the Ark, then patience remains an essential virtue in our struggle.”

Fubara urged his supporters to remain patient and unprovoked by “those fanning the embers of violence and disunity” in the south-south state.