Pensioners Block Finance Ministry Over Delayed Payments  

A scene described as embarrassing and unbecoming of a government unraveled today in Abuja as pensioners barricaded streets, especially the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance, to express their frustration over delayed pension payments.   The protest, spearheaded by the National Union of Contributory Pensioners, focused on unpaid accrued rights—benefits earned under the old pension scheme before the 2004 transition to the Contributory Pension Scheme.   These entitlements are meant to be transferred to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to allow retirees access upon retirement.  However, some pensioners who retired as far back as 2003 claim they have yet to receive their due, leaving them unable to secure funds through the Pension Administration System.   The pensioners are calling on the federal government to resolve the backlog swiftly.

Sani approves N72,000 minimum wage for Kaduna workers

Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State has approved a new minimum wage of N72,000 for civil servants in the state, with effect from November. Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Malam Ibraheem Musa, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Kaduna on Thursday. Musa said that the approval of the new minimum wage was part of the Sani-led administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare. He also said that the move was aimed at improving the living conditions of the low-income, the vulnerable and the underserved communities. Musa highlighted the governor’s longstanding commitment to advancing workers’ rights, enhancing their welfare and supporting disadvantaged groups in the state. In addition to the new wage policy, he said that the governor would also launch a Free Transport Scheme for civil servants, introducing 100 CNG-powered buses to provide daily transportation to and from work. According to him, the scheme, designed to ease financial burdens and improve productivity, will be managed by a Joint Management Committee, comprising NLC and TUC representatives and the state government. Musa restated the present administration’s commitment to implementing policies that would uplift the less-privileged and make the state a model for social welfare programmes, with the support of the citizens.