Connect with us

News

Pension Reform bill, five others scale second reading  

Published

on

Senate Chamber
Senate in Session
Share

 

The Senate on Wednesday considered a bill seeking to bring respite to distressed Nigerian retirees.

The bill which passed second reading was tagged “Pension Reform Act 2014 (Amendment), 2022.”

The bill was sponsored by Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North).

Wamakko, while leading debate on the general principles of the bill, said the bill seeks to amend the Pension Reform Act 2014, to provide for a definite and reasonable percentage a retiree can withdraw from his/her retirement savings accounts.

According to him, the provisions of the bill seeks to also “provide for succor to retirees in the delay and other difficulties they stumble upon in withdrawing their savings from retirement savings account.”

He lamented that the inability of Nigerian pensioners to access their benefits after service had resulted in their suffering which, in most cases, led to eventual and untimely deaths.

“Mr. President, none of us can claim ignorance of the long-drawn-out anguish of retirees from the Civil Service, Nigerian Prison Service, Universities and Parastatals among other Federal Agencies in this country.

“These retirees rather than enjoy retirement after selflessly serving their fatherland, have continued to live in misery and pain, leading to diseases and even death, as they cannot easily access their benefits” he said.

The lawmaker explained that the Pension Reform Act 2004, amended as Pension Reform Act 2014, provides for a departure from the old pension scheme of Defined Benefits’, to the new Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) that established the National Pension Commission (Pen Com).

He noted that in spite of the amendments to the Pension Act, the legislation has failed to achieve its objective of solving the intractable pension crisis in the country.

“Suffice to say that the issue of pension Nigeria has more or less, turned a monster that has defied all efforts by successive governments to contain it.

“In view of the retirees protracted sufferings and pains who are equally Nigerians, continued search for a lasting panacea is a duty bound upon us and all others concerned.”

Wamakko explained that the Act in Section 7(1)(a) was amended in the bill to allow retirees withdraw 75 percent of their benefits.

He bemoaned the situation where pension administrators in the country benefit at the expense of Nigerian pensioners who continue to suffer neglect.

“These Nigerians who have retired from service after several years serving the nation are finding it extremely difficult to be the owners of their pension savings in this new arrangement.

“So, unless that law is made categorically clear that they can withdraw the 75 per cent which we are proposing in this amendment, then they can definitely have some relief as retirees.

“But Mr President, my dear colleagues, of what significance are all these huge assets and sums of money to the owners, the Nigerian pensioners who are dying daily of hunger, disease, and deprivation. I believe this is cruel and unjustifiably inhuman.

“You may recall that the DG Pencom proudly announced that as at 31st July, 2021, that they have an accumulated assets of N12.78 Trillion.

“So let the Nigerian pensioners feel the impact of the assets in the savings they have generated. But the true situation is that only the Pension Administrators a benefitting while the owners continue to suffer total neglect.”

The bill after scaling second reading was referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters.

The Committee was given four weeks to report back to the Senate.

In a related development, a total of five bills also passed second reading on Wednesday.

The bills include: a bill to establish the Federal University of Transportation, Daura; and a bill to amend the Companies and Allied Matters Act to strengthen Non- Governmental Organisations in Nigeria.

Others are a bill to establish the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences Egbe, Kogi State; a bill to establish the Federal Medical Centre Ijebu Ode; and a bill to amend the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Act 2010 to make for the mode of appointment of the Commandant-General of the Corps.

The bills were sponsored by Senators Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), Yahaya Oloriegbe (Kwara Central), Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West), Mustapha Olalekan (Ogun East) and George Thompson Sekibo (Rivers East), respectively.

The Senate President referred the bill to establish the Federal University of Transport, Daura, to the Joint Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND; and Land Transport for further work.

He also referred the bill to amend the Companies and Allied Matters Act to the Joint Committee on Trade and Investment; and Diaspora.

On the other hand, the bills to establish the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences Egbe, Kogi State, and Federal Medical Centre Ijebu Ode, were both referred to the Joint Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND; and Health (Secondary and Tertiary).

Also referred was the bill to amend the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, which was sent to the Committee on Interior for further legislative inputs.

The Senate President gave all the Committees four weeks to report back to the Senate.
 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Supporters Flood Government House as Ado Ward 9 Celebrates Oyebanji’s Second-Term Victory

Published

on

Share

 

 

 

 

Supporters and members of the All progressives Congress in Ado Ward 9 has staged a colourful victory walk to the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti to celebrate the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji for a second term in office.

 

The jubilant supporters, chanting solidarity songs and waving banners, described the governor’s victory at the poll as a reflection of the confidence reposed in his administration by the people of Ekiti State.

They said the massive electoral support received by Governor Oyebanji was a testament to his people-oriented policies, inclusive style of governance and remarkable developmental strides across the state.

 

The victory walk was led by the Leader of Ward 9, Alhaji Ademola Bello; the Ward Chairman, Mrs. Falilat Korede; and the Ward 9 Councillor, Hon. Mayowa Ogunsakin, alongside party faithful, youths and women from the ward.

 

Speaking during the celebration, the ward leaders congratulated Governor Oyebanji on his resounding victory and expressed appreciation to the people of Ward 9 and the entire state for their support during the election.

They noted that the governor’s first term had brought significant improvements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and workers’ welfare, adding that his re-election would provide the opportunity to consolidate on the achievements already recorded.

 

The leaders also reaffirmed the commitment of Ado Ward 9 to continue supporting the governor’s administration in its efforts to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of Ekiti State.

Continue Reading

News

EKSWAMA Board Congratulates Oyebanji, Hails Re-election as Endorsement of Good Governance

Published

on

Share

 

 

 

 

The Chairman of the Board of the Ekiti State Waste Management Authority (EKSWAMA), Prince Oladele Adeniyi, alongside other members of the board, has congratulated Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his resounding victory in the 2026 governorship election, describing his re-election as a clear endorsement of his people-oriented policies and remarkable developmental strides across the state.

 

 

 

In a congratulatory message, the board members said the outcome of the election reflects the confidence and trust the people of Ekiti State have in Governor Oyebanji’s leadership, vision, and commitment to the continued progress of the state.

 

 

 

They noted that the governor’s victory was well deserved, considering the significant achievements recorded under his administration in critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and human capital development.

 

 

 

According to Prince Adeniyi and other board members, Governor Oyebanji’s inclusive style of governance, which places a premium on citizens’ welfare and promotes unity among political stakeholders, has earned him widespread acceptance and support across the state.

 

 

 

The board members also commended the people of Ekiti State for conducting themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process and for demonstrating their commitment to continuity by re-electing the governor for a second term.

 

 

 

They further applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, election observers, and other stakeholders for their roles in ensuring a free, fair, credible, and peaceful election.

 

 

 

Expressing optimism about the governor’s second term, the board members said they were confident it would usher in greater development and accelerated growth for Ekiti State, particularly in the areas of environmental management, sanitation, and sustainable development.

 

 

 

They pledged their continued support and cooperation with the Oyebanji administration in its efforts to build a cleaner, healthier, and more environmentally friendly Ekiti, while reaffirming their commitment to advancing the objectives of the Ekiti State Waste Management Authority.

 

 

The board also urged residents and political stakeholders to put the election behind them and work together in the interest of peace, unity, and the sustainable development of the state.

 

 

The EKSWAMA Board comprises its Chairman, Prince Oladele Adeniyi; Hon. Ayodeji Àjàyí; Otunba Olorunfemi Ayodeji; Mr. Bayode Obasoyin; Mustapha Adeniran; Mr. Omoniyi Joseph; Mrs. Mojisola Adewumi; and Mr. Bosunde Olufemi.

 

 

The board described Governor Oyebanji’s re-election as a victory not only for the All Progressives Congress (APC) but also for all Ekiti people who desire sustained progress, stability, and prosperity for the state.

Continue Reading

News

Ekiti HoS Congratulates Oyebanji on Re-election, Says Victory Well Deserved

Published

on

Share

 

 

 

The Ekiti State Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, has congratulated Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his re-election, describing his victory at the polls as a reflection of the people’s confidence in his leadership and achievements.

 

Olomojobi, in a congratulatory statement issued made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti said the governor’s electoral success was not a fluke but a testament to his unwavering commitment to the shared prosperity agenda of his administration.

 

She noted that Oyebanji’s leadership had consistently impacted lives positively and delivered on campaign promises, thereby earning him the trust and support of the people of the state.

 

The Head of Service commended the governor for prioritising the welfare of workers and strengthening the public service, which she described as the engine room for the implementation of government policies and programmes.

 

According to her, the Governor’s labour-friendly disposition has fostered industrial harmony across the state and created an enabling environment for development and progress.

 

Olomojobi assured the governor of the continued support and cooperation of the state workforce in his new term of office.

 

She said the civil service remained committed to working diligently with the administration to consolidate on existing achievements and advance the developmental aspirations of the state.

 

The Head of Service expressed optimism that Ekiti would record greater progress under Oyebanji’s leadership, adding that the public service would continue to partner with the government in delivering quality service to the people.

Continue Reading