The Nigeria Immigration Service has apprehended no fewer than 51 suspected irregular migrants of Malian origin at New Nyanya, Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State.

This is contained in a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi yesterday in Abuja.

Mr. Akinlabi said that preliminary investigations conducted by the service suggested that the migrants may have been victims of Trafficking in Persons, TIP, and Smuggling of Migrants, SOM.

This, he said, was because they were found without valid travel documents or residence permits.

According to him, they were apprehended on Monday, following a credible intelligence.

The breakdown of the arrested migrants indicates 11 females and 40 males between the ages of 16 and 19.

“The arrested individuals have been taken into the custody of the service for further profiling and investigation.

“This is to determine the circumstances of their migration and any potential involvement in trafficking or smuggling networks or syndicates”, he said.

Mr. Akinlabi said that the NIS remained committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s borders were protected against illegal migration, while upholding the rights of migrants who complied with the country’s immigration laws.

He said that the Service would continue to work closely with relevant authorities and stakeholders to combat smuggling of migrants and counter trafficking in persons effectively.

The spokesperson reassured the general public of the NIS unwavering commitment to National Security and Migration Management.

He encouraged citizens to report suspicious migration activities to the nearest NIS Commands and Formations.

The Federal Government (FG) recorded a N12.95 trillion budget deficit in 2024.

This represented a 41 percent increase from its N9.16 trillion budgeted deficit for the review period.

Details of data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Quarterly Economic Reports for 2024 showed that the deficit increased by 0.77 percent Year-on-Year (YoY) compared to N12.85 trillion recorded in 2023.

Further breakdown of data showed that in 2024 the FG expenditure stood at N21.5 trillion, up by 12 percent YoY   from N19.19 trillion in 2023, but down by 25.2 percent from the 2024 budget of   N28.76 trillion.

However, revenue grew YoY by 34.8 percent to N8.55 trillion in 2024   from N6.34 trillion in 2023 and down by 56 percent from the 2024 budget of N19.56 trillion.

In its fourth quarter 2024 Economic Reports, the apex bank noted that FGs   expenditure   rose by 2.22 percent to N5.6 trillion on account of higher personnel cost and interest payments.

At N5.6 trillion, provisional aggregate expenditure was 2.22 per cent above the level in the preceding quarter, but was 22.09 per cent short of the quarterly target of N7.19 trillion. The rise in expenditure relative to the preceding quarter was associated with the increase in interest payments and personnel costs, which rose by 6.98 and 23.31 per cent, respectively.

Further analysis of total expenditure showed that recurrent (75.13 percent) accounted for the largest share outlay, with the remainder split between capital (17.1 percent) and transfer payments (7.77 percent).

On revenue, CBN said: FGN retained revenue rose in the review period, due to higher receipts from the federation account, non-oil excess, and FGN independent revenue. At N2.52 trillion, provisional FGN retained revenue was 10.40 per cent above the level in Q324, but was 48.57 per cent below the benchmark.

The fiscal operations of the FGN resulted in a narrower deficit in Q424. Provisional data showed that primary deficit narrowed by 22.62 per cent, relative to the level in the preceding quarter.

The overall deficit also reduced by 3.61 per cent to N3.08 trillion during the review quarter, reflecting the improved balance that resulted from a more than proportionate increase in revenue over expenditure.

President Bola Tinubu departed for Paris, France, yesterday on a short working visit.

This was contained in a statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga in Abuja.

The statement said during the visit, the President will appraise his administration’s mid-term performance and assess key milestones.

It said: “He will also use the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary.

“This period of reflection will inform plans to deepen ongoing reforms and accelerate national development priorities in the coming year.

“Recent economic strides reinforce the President’s commitment to these efforts, as evidenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria reporting a significant increase in net foreign exchange reserves to $23.11 billion testament to the administration’s fiscal reforms since 2023 when net reserves were $3.99 billion”

It further said: “While away, President Tinubu will remain fully engaged with his team and continue to oversee governance activities. He will return to Nigeria in about a fortnight.”

President Bola Tinubu, in a sweeping reconstitution of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Limited board, has sacked the Group Chief Executive Officer, GCEO, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, and the board chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure.

President Tinubu also removed all other board members appointed with Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023.

This was made public via a statement issued in the early hours of yesterday by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, the new 11-man board has Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as non-executive chairman.

The statement further stated that Adedapo Segun, who replaced Umaru Isa Ajiya as the chief financial officer last November, has been appointed to the new board by President Tinubu.

Six board members, non-executive directors, represent the country’s geopolitical zones. They are Bello Rabiu, North West; Yusuf Usman, North East; and Babs Omotowa, a former managing director of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), who represents North Central.

President Tinubu appointed Austin Avuru as a non-executive director from the South-South, David Ige as a non-executive director from the South-West, and Henry Obih as a non-executive director from the South-East.

Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, will represent the ministry on the new board, while Aminu Said Ahmed will represent the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Continuing, the statement said, All the appointments are effective today, April 2.

President Tinubu, invoking the powers granted under Section 59, subsection 2 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, emphasized that the board restructuring is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, boosting local content, driving economic growth, and advancing gas commercialization and diversification.

President Tinubu also handed out an immediate action plan to the new board: to conduct a strategic portfolio review of NNPC-operated and joint venture assets to ensure alignment with value maximization objectives.

Since 2023, the Tinubu administration has implemented oil sector reforms to attract investment. Last year, NNPC reported $17 billion in new investments within the sector. The administration now envisions increasing the investment to $30 billion by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030.

The Tinubu administration targets raising oil production to two million barrels daily by 2027 and three million daily by 2030. Concurrently, the government wants gas production jacked to 8 billion cubic feet daily by 2027 and 10 billion cubic feet by 2030.

Furthermore, President Tinubu expects the new board to elevate NNPCs share of crude oil refining output to 200,000 barrels by 2027 and reach 500,000 by 2030.

The new board chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is from Borno State. He is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he received a degree in civil engineering in 1984. He also obtained a postgraduate diploma in petroleum engineering from the Institut Francaise du Petrol (IFP) in Paris.

He started his career in the oil industry at Elf Petroleum Nigeria and later joined Total Exploration and Production as a trainee engineer in 1985.

Musa became Total Nigeria’s Deputy Managing Director of Deep Water Services in 2015. Last year, he became an Independent Non-Executive Director at Pan Ocean-Newcross Group.

Apart from his oil industry career, Ahmadu Musa Kida is a former basketballer and the president of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) board.

Ojulari, the new NNPC Limited Group CEO, hails from Kwara State. Until his new appointment, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. His renaissance recently led a consortium of indigenous energy firms in the landmark acquisition of the entire equity holding in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), worth $2.4 billion.

Like Kida, Ojulari is also an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. He worked for Elf Aquitaine as the first Nigerian process engineer to begin a stellar career in the oil sector. From Elf, he joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991 as an associate production technologist.

Apart from working in Nigeria, he worked in Europe and the Middle East in different capacities as a petroleum process and production engineer, strategic planner, field developer, and asset manager. In 2015, he became the managing director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).

During his career, he was Chairman and a member of the board of trustees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

President Tinubu thanked the old board members for their dedicated service to NNPC Limited, particularly their efforts in rehabilitating the old Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which enabled them to resume petroleum product production after prolonged shutdowns. He wished them well in their future endeavours.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has dismissed allegations that her recent visit to her hometown was a political gathering.

She clarified that her trip on Monday, April 1, 2025, was purely to celebrate Sallah with her constituents and had no political undertones.

Her response followed claims that she paid attendees to be present at the event, an assertion she described as baseless and misleading.

“This was a celebration of unity and shared love, not politics, Akpoti-Uduaghan stated.

“The people who welcomed me did so of their own free will, and I deeply appreciate their sacrifice.

“Despite a government-imposed restriction on vehicular movement, thousands of supporters trekked long distances through bush paths to receive her with a heroic welcome”

The senator, who arrived via chopper, was met with overwhelming cheers, reflecting the deep-rooted affection her people have for her. Some supporters were even attacked on their way but remained resolute in their desire to celebrate with her.

Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that the crowd consisted of residents from the five local government areas that make up Kogi Central, representing less than three percent of her overall supporters. She noted that the turnout was a testament to her enduring influence in the region.

Beyond the celebration, the senator’s visit also highlighted her contributions to the district’s development. The very road where the people gathered to welcome her was one she had facilitated and constructed years before becoming a senator. Her tenure has been marked by a strong commitment to infrastructure, empowerment programs, and social welfare initiatives that have transformed many lives.

Expressing gratitude for the massive show of support, Akpoti-Uduaghan reassured her constituents of her dedication to their welfare.

“Your presence here today, despite the challenges, humbles me”, she said.

“It only strengthens my resolve to continue working tirelessly for the progress of our land.”

The grand reception further reaffirmed her popularity in Kogi Central, countering the narratives pushed by political detractors.

Promoters and operators of entities engaged in a prohibited scheme are liable to a penalty of not less than ₦20 million or imprisonment for a term of 10 years or both.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, Senator Osita Izunaso, issued the warning on Wednesday.

Briefing journalists in Abuja, the lawmaker cautioned that the era of fraudulent investment schemes and market manipulation is over, as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will now properly regulate cryptocurrency trading.

He said that the new law assented to by President Tinubu has introduced regulatory measures aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s financial system, particularly in the cryptocurrency capital market sectors and State government funding.

“Before now, people engaged in Ponzi schemes without consequences, but the new law is designed to protect investors money. If caught, apart from paying a fine, you will go to jail. Initially, we proposed a 20-year sentence, but 10 years has been approved”, he stated.

Izunaso also explained that the new law now encourages sub national to access long-term funding through the capital market. He urged states to approach the SEC for infrastructure financing, noting that regulatory reforms have made the process more flexible.

“Every state can now approach the capital market for funding without unnecessary bottlenecks. This will drive infrastructural development across the country”, he stated.

He also addressed concerns about digital assets and cybercrime, assuring Nigerians that the new securities law will comprehensively address issues related to cryptocurrency and other digital financial instruments.

Human rights activist and legal practitioner, Christopher Chidera, has accused the Kenyan government of failing in its international obligation to protect the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, when he was abducted in June 2021 and illegally renditioned to Nigeria.

Chidera alleged that Kenya was complicit in Kanu’s abduction, torture, and unlawful transfer, violating both domestic and international laws.

In a statement, he demanded that Kenya be held accountable for its role in the ordeal of the separatist leader.

According to Chidera, Kenya disregarded its own Constitution and legal framework, including: The Kenyan Constitution (2010)  Article 29, which prohibits arbitrary detention and torture. The Kenyan Extradition Act (1968), which mandates a formal legal process for extradition. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and other treaties requiring due process in deportation and extradition.

Kanu, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and Nigeria, was reportedly abducted on June 19, 2021, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, while picking up a friend. He was allegedly seized by armed operatives believed to be Kenyan and Nigerian security officials, without an enforceable warrant or judicial order.

Chidera detailed that Kanu was detained incommunicado for eight days in a secret location near the airport, where he was: Chained to the floor, beaten and subjected to degrading treatment, denied access to sanitation facilities and his medications, and tortured to the point of unconsciousness

Despite Kenya’s official denials of involvement, Chidera argued that the circumstances surrounding Kanus transfer to Nigeria on June 27, 2021, were in clear violation of Kenyan laws: No extradition request from Nigeria was processed. And No judicial proceedings took place before his handover.

The Doctrine of Specialty, which limits prosecution to offenses specified in an extradition request, was ignored.

Kenya’s failure to follow legal procedures, he said, suggests an extrajudicial operation orchestrated at the highest levels.

Beyond violating its own laws, Kenya allegedly breached multiple international treaties, including:

ICCPR (Article 13), which protects against arbitrary expulsion of legally present foreigners.

The 1984 UN Convention Against Torture, which prohibits handing individuals over to countries where they may face torture.

Chidera noted that Kanu had previously suffered ill-treatment in Nigerian detention between 2015 and 2017, making his transfer to Nigeria a clear breach of Kenya’s international obligations.

The activist concluded that Kenya’s actionsor inactionenabled a grave violation of human rights, whether through direct involvement or tacit approval by rogue officials.

This incident not only jeopardized Kanu’s rights but also damaged Kenya’s reputation as a rule-of-law state within the Commonwealth and the global community, he stated.

Chidera called on human rights bodies, legal institutions, and international organizations to investigate the case and hold Kenya accountable for its failure to protect an alien on its soil.

Kanyeyachukwu Okeke received Guinness World Record for largest art canvas in the world by an individual on Wednesday in Abuja.

Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, a 15-year-old Nigerian artist, has broken the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the Largest Painting, unveiling the worlds largest art canvas by an individual.

The record-breaking artwork, titled Impossibility is a Myth, was revealed in Abuja to mark the 2025 World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD).

The awe-inspiring canvas, measuring 12,303 square meters, more than twice the size of a football field, surpassed the previous record by nearly 3,000 square meters.

The unveiling at Eagles Square was attended by civil society groups, diplomats, traditional rulers, top government officials, and stakeholders in the arts and culture sector.

Tagbo-Okeke was presented with his GWR certificate during the event.

HannatuMusawa, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, lauded the young artists achievement, calling it a historic and inspiring milestone that demonstrated how age and challenges were no barrier to greatness.

She emphasised that every Nigerian, regardless of background or disability, had the potential to make valuable contributions.

Kanyeyachukwu’s father, Mr Tagbo Okeke, shared that his sons journey started with his love for colour and a carefully structured routine to help him focus.

He noted that the theme of the artwork, Impossibility is a Myth, reflected the challenges they faced in creating such a large-scale painting.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Dr Mohamed Fall, represented by CristianMunduate of UNICEF, highlighted the importance of disability inclusion in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring equal access to opportunities for people with disabilities.

Sen. Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, lauded the achievement, emphasising that children with autism could be productive and should be provided with specialised education and care.

He encouraged the government to invest more in the education of autistic children.

Chikaodi Ofoegbu, Head of Retail at MTN Nigeria, also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of creating an environment where innovation and inclusivity thrived, urging all Nigerians to nurture these values.

By Abah Sunday, Abuja

Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday joined other well-meaning Nigerians in condemning gruesome murder of 16 travelling northern hunters in Edo state, South-South Nigeria.

This was contained in an emotion laden press  statement signed by the leader of the Caucus, Hon Kingsley  Chinda,  Minority Whip, Hon. Ali Isa, Deputy minority leader, Hon. Aliyu Madaki among others which was made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday.

The statement noted, “It is with extreme shock and grief that we received the news of the barbaric murder of about 16  Nigerians, mainly northerners, by a gang of lawless anarchists in Edo State in the last couple of days, adding that they find such brutal killing of innocent Nigerians in any part of the country by lawless mobs very reprehensible.

They cautioned that and if allowed to fester without being put in check by responsible organs of the federal government, such actions pose grave threats the peace and unity of the country.

The Caucus therefore called on Nigerians never to resort to such jungle attacks on their fellow citizens but to always implore the services of lawful authorities whenever they notice any issue of concern.

“We are a nation under the rule of laws, and our law enforcement agencies are always available to partner with every Nigerian to assuage their concerns”.

Opposition lawmakers in the House, therefore  called on President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to direct the security agencies to investigate the matter and bring those involved in the killings to book in order to prevent its recurrence.

The Caucus urged all Nigerians to remain calm, peaceful, and law abiding and allow the federal and state governments to get to the root of the matter in the interest of justice.

They further expressed sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims even as they also assure them that the Minority Caucus in the green chamber would remain eternally vigilant until justice is done on the matter.

With the Federal Government setting a production target of 2.06 million barrels per day in 2025,
the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri yesterday, threatened to withdraw oil blocks from owners that have failed to develop them.

Sen. Lokpobiri said the government will begin implementing the “drill or drop” provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in line with the drive to boost oil production.

As of February, 2025, oil production was reported at 1.67 million barrels per day by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC.

A statement by the Media Aide to the Minister, Nneamaka Okafor said Senator Lokpobiri stated this at a Cross Industry Group meeting held in Florence, Italy, organized by IOCs operating in Nigeria.

The meeting focused on challenges, expectations, and strategies to enhance the sector’s contributions to domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the Minister, “We cannot continue to have assets sitting idle for 20 to 30 years without development. If you are not utilizing an asset and it remains underdeveloped for decades, it neither adds value to your books nor to us as a country.

“We encourage industry players to explore collaborative measures such as shared resources for contiguous assets, farm-outs, and the release of underutilized assets to operators ready to invest in production. Otherwise, like any responsible government, we will take back these assets and allocate them to those willing to go to work”.

The Minister also urged operators to consider farm-out agreements where assets are close to existing infrastructure, rather than incurring high costs on new Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units.

Lokpobiri urged International Oil Companies, IOCs, in Nigeria to ramp up investment in the oil and gas industry, noting that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has provided every necessary incentive to ensure seamless and profitable operations.

Nigerians to pay more for petrol amid domestic dispute, crude price hike.

Sen. Lokpobiri explained that while IOCs have pointed to Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, EPCs will only commit when they see strong investment decisions from industry players.

He said: “The Government has done its part by providing the requisite and investment-friendly fiscal policies, including the President’s Executive Order incentivizing deepwater investments. Now, the ball is in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector”.

He emphasized the need for IOCs to support local refining efforts, noting that more refineries are coming on stream and will require a steady supply of crude oil.

To make this easy and possible, he stressed that ramping up production will enable Nigeria to meet both local and international obligations.

The Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section, OPTS, Mr. Osagie Osunbor, commended the Minister for his direct engagement with industry players and for the Federal Government’s continued efforts in advancing the sector.

“We appreciate the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for investment. The Minister’s engagement has provided critical insights and has also challenged us as industry players to step up efforts to increase production,” he stated.

The National Identity Management Commission has recorded a total of 117 million registrations for the National Identity Number as of February 28, 2025.

According to the latest enrolment statistics from the NIMC dashboard, 66,281,803 (56.5 percent) of the registered individuals are male, while 51,079,521 (43.5 percent) are female.

The data also revealed that Lagos State has the highest cumulative enrolment figure with over 12.6 million registrants, while Kano State followed with 10.2 million registrants.

“NIMC’s enrollment figures as of February 28, 2025, currently stand at over 117 million unique records. The highest cumulative enrollment figure of over 12.6 million was recorded in Lagos State. Regional figures indicated an almost equal distribution across the North and South,” the report stated.

Bayelsa, Ebonyi, and Ekiti states ranked as the three states with the lowest enrollment figures.

Bayelsa recorded a total of 758,111 registrations, with 416,015 males and 342,096 females. Ebonyi followed with a total of 990,775 registrations, comprising 537,939 males and 452,836 females. Ekiti had a total of 1,143,102 registrations, with 566,229 males and 576,873 females.

Other states with low NIN registration include Cross River, which recorded 1,397,233 registrations; Taraba, with 1,768,754; Yobe, with 1,857,532; Kogi, with 1,912,382; Enugu, with 1,946,464; Kwara, with 2,004,667; and Imo, with 2,024,423.

Lagos recorded the highest enrollment figure with 12,612,334 registrations, consisting of 6,870,915 males and 5,741,419 females.

Kano followed with 10,246,055 registrations, including 5,924,126 males and 4,321,929 females.

Kaduna had 6,945,818 registrations, with 3,832,083 males and 3,113,735 females. Ogun recorded a total of 4,926,721 registrations, comprising 2,567,102 males and 2,359,619 females. Oyo had 4,539,340 registrations, with 2,361,100 males and 2,178,240 females.

Other states in the top 10 include Katsina, with 4,019,964 registrations (2,369,071 males and 1,650,893 females); the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, with 3,795,690 registrations (2,213,061 males and 1,582,629 females); Rivers, with 3,532,787 registrations (1,923,311 males and 1,609,476 females); Delta, with 3,198,779 registrations (1,691,182 males and 1,507,597 females); and Bauchi, with 3,078,996 registrations (1,927,994 males and 1,151,002 females).

An anti-corruption advocacy group, the Young Guardians of Accountability (YGA), has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, over allegations of abuse of office and conflict of interest.

In a petition signed by its chairman, Adediran Raymond, YGA accused the minister of violating federal laws that prohibit public officials from engaging in private business activities. The group alleged that Mr. Badaru maintains directorships in multiple private companies despite his ministerial position, listing firms such as Talamiz Nigeria Limited, Talamiz Petroleum Nig. Ltd, and Gulfstream Logistics Limited.

“Shockingly, Mr. Abubakar continues to file annual returns for these companies, with records as recent as last year. “Most egregiously, he operates a licensed Bureau de Change (BDC) while holding a federal ministerial position, flagrantly disregarding the laws designed to prevent conflicts of interest and corruption,” the petition stated.

YGA further demanded an inquiry into whether the minister fully disclosed his business interests in his official asset declaration, arguing that his continued involvement in these companies represents a “brazen disregard for the rule of law.”

The group called for immediate action, including the suspension of the minister and possible prosecution if found guilty. “The Ministry of Defence, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s security, cannot be entrusted to an individual whose actions suggest an intention to exploit state resources for personal gain,” the petition reads.

As of press time, neither the minister nor his representatives had responded to the allegations. The EFCC and ICPC have also not issued any official statements regarding the petition

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

Oyintiloye, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen yesterday in Osogbo. The APC chieftain noted that delayed or non-payment of pensions, inadequate funding, and corruption within the pension scheme has led to hardship and financial stress for pensioners.

Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker said that since 2004, when the Federal Government enacted the Pensions Reform Act, PRA 2004, which introduced the contributory pension scheme, pensioners had not been treated fairly by, especially many previous administrations in the country. Lamenting that many pensioners many years after retirement are still unable to access their gratuity, Oyintiloye said many senior citizens are often paid between 25 and 50 per cent of their lump savings after retirement.

He expressed concerns that many civil servants who had served the government in their prime would end up being subjected to untold hardship and poverty after retirement, due to delay or non payment of retirement benefits due to them by the government.

Oyintiloye, who commended Tinubu for approving N758 billion bond in February to clear 16 years pension liabilities, said that more still needed to be done to save pensioners from poverty ravaging then after retirement leading to sickness and untimely death.

He also urged the President to work with the National Assembly in reviewing the 2004 Pensions Reform Act, to enable pensioners to withdraw all their retirement savings immediately after exiting service and also have access to free health care once they reach 65 years.

Oyintiloye said doing that would enable these retirees to take care of their needs, venture into any business of their wish, rather than live on monthly pension that may be insufficient. He said the kind of hardship many ex workers are experiencing after retirement due to poor or delay in payment of retirement benefits may impact negatively on the morale of those still in service, making them to indulge in graft.

“I want to appeal to the president to look into the plights of pensioners under the contributory pension scheme. The 2004 pension act should be reviewed to enable pensioners to live a decent life after retirement.

“Due to poor or delay in payment of retirement benefits, many retirees cannot afford a decent meal, good health care, good housing, among others after exiting service. These are the people that served the country in their prime.

“After retirement due to advance age, many of these pensioners are already suffering ailments and yet they cant avoid medication because they don’t have enough money. Even as retirees, many of these senior citizens still have many people depending on them.

“That is why I am pleading with President Bola Tinubu to intervene. He has shown that he is a leader with 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,” he said.

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has reassured residents that the ongoing political crisis will ultimately make them stronger, not weaker.

He made this remark while hosting Muslim leaders from 20 Islamic groups, including the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, at his private residence in Port Harcourt as part of the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

Speaking to the delegation, Fubara encouraged them and his supporters to remain steadfast and trust in Gods plan, saying, This season represents love, sharing, and sacrifice. You have come to share in our pain and have made great sacrifices through your prayers.

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

Fubara admitted the crisis may be disheartening but suggested it could be guided by higher forces.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to justice and equality, emphasizing his vision for a society free from oppression.

He assured the Muslims that their pending requests would be addressed after the political situation stabilizes.

Urging patience and perseverance, he drew a biblical analogy saying, If God could be patient with Noah, allowing even the snail to enter the Ark, then patience remains essential in our struggle.

He warned against those inciting violence through provocative acts, urging his supporters and Rivers people to reject elements seeking to destabilize the state.

“Their goal is to create problems and deny people their livelihoods.

“We will not allow that. We will continue to operate peacefully and respect constituted authority to ensure Rivers remains a model for others in Nigeria”.

Representing the Muslim Ummah, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor expressed unwavering support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, assuring him of their prayers and solidarity amid the ongoing political crisis.

Uhor highlighted that the majority of Muslims in Rivers State stand with Fubara because of his commitment to inclusive governance.

Unlike the previous administration, which declared Rivers a 100 percent Christian state, he praised Fubara for acknowledging the state’s Christian majority while fostering religious inclusivity.

He encouraged the governor to remain resolute, emphasizing that challenges like these are consistent with Islamic teachings, where believers are tested through wealth, power and authority.

He further urged President Bola Tinubu to reassess the emergency rule in Rivers State and reinstate Fubara’s full authority, arguing that the governor has continued to lead effectively despite the political turmoil.