Governor Eno Approves 13th Month Pension Bonus, N10,000 Welfare Support for Akwa Ibom Retirees

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the payment of a 13th-month pension bonus to all pensioners in the state, alongside a one-time welfare support of N10,000 for November 2026.
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The governor announced the approval on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Ibom Hall Ground, Uyo, during an event organised by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), where he received a Merit Award and was endorsed for re-election in 2027.
Governor Eno said the gesture was aimed at appreciating retired public servants for their years of dedicated and meritorious service to the state.

He commended the pensioners for their organisation, gratitude and continued engagement with his administration, assuring them that their welfare and that of other elderly citizens would remain a priority.
Describing the occasion as humbling, the governor said pensioners might have retired from active service but remained valuable members of society.
He subsequently directed that an additional N10,000 be included in the November 2026 pension payment of every retiree in the state.
“I am now directing that N10,000 be added to the November 2026 pension payment of every pensioner in support of your welfare,” he stated.

The governor also encouraged pensioners to register for the state’s health insurance scheme, explaining that residents aged 65 and above were entitled to free access to the programme.
On the payment of outstanding gratuities, Eno disclosed that his administration had released over N100 billion out of the N111 billion inherited backlog accumulated since 2012.

He assured that the outstanding balance would be cleared before the end of his first term in office.
Eno attributed the progress to improved financial resources available to state governments under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, commending the President for making funds accessible to states.
He urged the pensioners to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing that continued financial support from the Federal Government would help sustain the payment of pensions, gratuities and other welfare commitments.

The governor also appealed to pensioners, particularly those from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, to support the re-election of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Earlier, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, commended Governor Eno for what he described as his compassion and commitment to the welfare of retired public servants in Akwa Ibom.
Abumisi praised the governor’s leadership and development initiatives, urging pensioners across the state to reciprocate his administration’s efforts by supporting his second-term ambition in 2027.

In his welcome address, the State Chairman of the NUP, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, described Eno as a compassionate leader whose administration had demonstrated unprecedented commitment to the welfare of pensioners and elderly citizens.
Nkodo said the governor had consistently listened to the concerns of retired public servants through policies and programmes aimed at improving their living conditions.
He further maintained that the administration’s interventions had improved pensioners’ living standards and restored dignity to many retirees.

Umo Eno

The state NUP chairman also expressed appreciation for the release of over N100 billion towards the settlement of inherited gratuity arrears, praying for the governor’s success in securing a second term.
At the event, pensioners unanimously endorsed President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio, Governor Eno and other APC candidates for re-election in 2027.

The endorsement followed a motion moved by Comrade James Inim and seconded by Dr Mrs Uduak Udoaka.
The gathering attracted a large number of pensioners, many of whom remained at the venue despite the rain to demonstrate their appreciation and support for the governor.
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Bauchi Police Arrest Two Over Oobbery, Recover Stolen Phones

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly attacking and robbing residents in separate incidents in Bauchi and Gamawa Local Government Areas of the state.
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The command also said it had recovered one of the stolen mobile phones, while efforts were ongoing to arrest a fleeing accomplice and recover the second phone.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.

Habib said the first incident was reported on October 30 by a 23-year-old woman from Sabon Kaura, who alleged that an 18-year-old suspect, identified as Mustapha Mohammed, invaded her room at about 3:10 am, armed with a knife and a torchlight.

He said the suspect inflicted injuries on the victim’s left hand before making away with her Itel A80 mobile phone, valued at N120,000.

According to the PPRO, the suspect was subsequently trailed and arrested by police operatives.

“During interrogation, he confessed to the crime and claimed to have given the stolen phone to one Dan-Oga, whose real identity is yet unknown and currently at large.

“Effort is in top gear to recover the phone and arrest the receiver,” the statement added.

In a separate incident, the police arrested a 20-year-old herder, identified as Jingi Buba, over the alleged robbery of a 15-year-old girl in Kesa Village, Gamawa Local Government Area.

The police spokesperson said the incident occurred on October 29 when the victim and her friend, both 15 years old, went to their farm to cut grass.

He explained that while the teenagers were returning to collect the remaining grass, the suspect allegedly attacked one of them with a knife, threatened her and stole her Tecno A31 mobile phone, valued at N20,000.

“Upon receipt of the report, the suspect was trailed and arrested, while one Tecno A31 mobile phone was recovered as an exhibit by operatives of Gamawa Division,” Habib said.

He added that preliminary investigation had been concluded and the case transferred to the SCID, Bauchi, for further investigation.

Police

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the incidents and reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

The CP also directed all Divisional Police Officers to intensify patrols and ensure that fleeing suspects were apprehended and brought to justice.
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Police Inaugurates Mental Health Awareness and Workshop for Personnel in Abuja

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, on Wednesday, 28th October 2026, declared open a Mental Health Awareness and Coaching Workshop for officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Abuja. He was represented at the event by the Force Medical Director, AIG Nkechi Eze. The workshop is coordinated by the Department of Training and Development, in partnership with Awesome Valley Consult Ltd and the Directorate of Force Medical Services, to strengthen officers’ emotional resilience, professional judgement and operational effectiveness.
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In his remarks, delivered by AIG Nkechi Eze, the IGP outlined his approved policy direction on mental health coaching, emphasising early identification of mental health concerns, timely intervention and appropriate referral for professional care. He noted that the demanding nature of police work requires practical coping skills and accessible support systems that enable officers to seek assistance without fear of stigma. He stressed that recognising signs of stress, burnout and emotional distress in oneself and colleagues is essential to maintaining a healthy workforce and ensuring professional service delivery.

The lead facilitator, Maimuna Ummi Abdullahi, popularly known as Coach Diddi, a Mental Health and Emotional Resilience Coach and Team Lead of Awesome Valley Consult Ltd, highlighted the importance of coaching for officers routinely exposed to high-pressure and potentially traumatic situations. She explained that mental health coaching promotes self-awareness, stress management, emotional resilience, healthy coping strategies, early help-seeking and peer support. She further clarified that coaching complements, rather than replaces, clinical assessment and treatment, helping officers recognise when professional care is necessary.

More than 100 officers drawn from the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Mobile Force (PMF), Special Protection Unit (SPU), Directorate of Force Medical Services, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Special Intervention Squad (SIS), Special Tactical Squad (STS) and police divisions within the Federal Capital Territory are participating in the workshop. Senior officers present included CP Aina Adesola, CP L. Ibrahim and CP M. Umar.

DIG Isyaku Mohammed, mni, reasserted the Department’s commitment to sustained, practical and needs-based training in collaboration with the Directorate of Force Medical Services to deepen mental health awareness and connect personnel with appropriate support.

Police

The Inspector-General of Police reiterated that personnel welfare remains central to the Force’s commitment to professionalism and effective service delivery, emphasising that officers must be physically fit, mentally resilient and adequately supported to discharge their duties effectively. He urged all personnel to prioritise their mental health, seek assistance early and support colleagues experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties, while upholding the highest standards of discipline, sound judgement and respect for the public.

CSP Ani Iniedu, anipr
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
28th October, 2026.
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