News
FG Promises Pensioners Relief: N758 Billion Allocated to Clear Arrears

The Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to pension reforms, highlighting his understanding of the challenges faced by pensioners.
The Minister made the remarks during the launch of the revised Service Charter for the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate in Abuja on Wednesday.
This assurance follows persistent protests by pensioners in Abuja and Lagos over unpaid arrears and N35,000 palliative allowances.
In her address, Uzoka-Anite reflected on the significant improvements brought by pension reforms, which, she said, gave workers across Nigeria renewed hope.
She noted that the reform provided workers in both the public and private sectors with “lifetime insurance,” ensuring that they would have financial security after retirement.
She added that the pension scheme had become a vital part of workers’ financial plans, particularly as it offered a reliable alternative when facing economic challenges.
The Minister also addressed the government’s ongoing efforts to secure and grow pension funds.
“We’ve been working with PENCOM to ensure that pension funds are not only invested securely but also leveraged to drive economic development,” Uzoka-Anite said, underscoring the importance of pension assets in national growth.
She expressed gratitude towards Tinubu for his leadership in addressing pension liabilities, with a focus on clearing outstanding pension payments.
Uzoka-Anite revealed that the government has plans to issue N758bn bond to clear these liabilities, a step she described as crucial in securing the future of pensioners.
The Minister reiterated that the issue of pensioners not receiving their dues promptly must come to an end.
“It breaks our hearts every time we see pensioners come to demand their pensions. It shouldn’t be like that. If you worked and gave your best years to your country, the least we can do is give you your best years when you retire,” she said.
Uzoka-Anite also praised the work of PTAD and its leadership, emphasising that pensioners now had a system in place that they could rely on.
“We want pensioners to know that it is now a thing of the past that they have to cry before they see their money,” she assured.
The minister reaffirmed that the government, under President Tinubu’s leadership, is fully committed to pension reform.
“The President understands the pain of being a pensioner. He was a pensioner first before we gave him a mandate to come back. He’s a man who has empathy for the suffering of the people,” she stated.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of the National Pension Commission, Ms Omolola Oloworaran, expressed deep commitment to ensuring the welfare of pensioners.
“There is no greater honour than making an impact in the life of those who have given their all to this nation,” she stated, underscoring the importance of helping pensioners retire with dignity.
She highlighted the significance of the service charter as a renewed promise to pensioners, emphasising that their welfare is central to PenCom’s mission.
“It is more than a document; it’s a renewed commitment to our senior citizens,” she said.
Oloworaran also noted recent achievements, including the approval of long-outstanding arrears and the introduction of healthcare for pensioners.
She stressed that these initiatives are “life-changing” and will positively impact the lives of many households.
She reaffirmed PenCom’s commitment to ensuring pensioners’ dignity, transparency, and respect in retirement.
In her welcome remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, Tolulope Odunaiya, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to enhancing service delivery for pensioners.
“I am truly honoured to stand before you today at the official launch of our second edition of the Service Charter,” she began, noting that the event symbolised PTAD’s collective commitment to “entrenching excellence and beneficial impact in service delivery.
”The Executive Secretary stressed that the revised Service Charter is “more than a document,” calling it a “covenant” between PTAD, pensioners, and stakeholders.
The revised charter, she explained, includes realistic performance metrics, a renewed commitment to quality, and clearer accessibility for all pensioners.
“Our goal is to ensure you clearly understand your entitlements and the standards you can expect from us,” she added.
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Godwin Abumisi, expressed both gratitude and frustration at the state of pension administration in Nigeria during the launch of the revised Service Charter.
“I recognise the struggles we faced in collecting our pensions. Many of us died while trying to rectify issues with our pensions,” Abumisi said, reflecting on the past challenges pensioners faced during verification exercises.
He acknowledged the positive strides made by PTAD, stating, “We have left Egypt, but we are not yet at the promised land.”
While commending PTAD for its work, Abumisi highlighted that many pensioners, particularly in remote areas, still face difficulties with verification.
“Many of them do not have phones, and cannot complete this exercise without assistance,” he said, urging authorities to reach out to those left behind.
Abumisi concluded by thanking President Tinubu for his empathy towards pensioners, vowing that come 2027, pensioners would rally behind him.
“I wish to thank the president of Nigeria for his empathy for the pensioners of Nigeria.
We are seeing all that is needed to ensure that pensioners of Nigeria raise their heads above the water, and I want to make a promise that come 2027, we will direct all pensioners to vote for him,” he said.
News
Reported Planned Attack: “Do Not Panic”, Kogi Govt Assures Residents
We commend the DSS for their vigilance and for providing early intelligence capable of preventing such evil plans from being executed.

The Kogi State Government has called on residents of the State to remain calm and vigilant following reports of a planned terrorist attack in parts of Kogi and Ondo States.
In a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the Government described the intelligence report as a step towards victory, noting that it demonstrates the proactive work of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies in protecting Nigerians from criminal elements.
“The report itself is evidence that our security agencies are alive to their responsibilities.
“We commend the DSS for their vigilance and for providing early intelligence capable of preventing such evil plans from being executed,” the statement read.
The Commissioner assured citizens that the Kogi State Government is working closely with the DSS, the Nigerian Army, the Police, and other relevant security formations to ensure that any terrorist attempt is completely foiled before it can threaten lives or property.
“His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, has made security of lives and property a top priority of his administration.
Strategic security measures have been reinforced across the State, and surveillance has been intensified, especially around border communities,” Fanwo added.
He urged residents to go about their normal businesses without fear but to remain security-conscious and report any suspicious movement or persons to the nearest security agency.
“The Government will protect the people at all costs. We will not allow criminals or terror groups to disrupt the peace and progress we have built.
Kogi remains one of the safest states in Nigeria, and we intend to keep it that way,” the statement concluded.
News
Breaking: ASUU suspends warning strike,Gives FG one month to tidy issues
President of ASUU, Chris Piwuna, explained that the development followed intervention by the Senate and some other well-meaning Nigerians.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, announced this morning the suspension of its two-week warning strike it declared last week across all public universities in the country.
The union announced the suspension on Wednesday at a press conference held at its headquarters in Abuja.
President of ASUU, Chris Piwuna, explained that the development followed intervention by the Senate and some other well-meaning Nigerians.
However, he said that the National Executive Council of the Union resolved to give the government a one-month window to address all contending areas.
News
Customs Launch Digital Vehicle Verification Platform to Combat Smuggling

In a landmark step toward modernising its operations, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday officially launched the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS) — a new digital platform that allows Nigerians to verify the clearance and duty payment status of imported vehicles in real time.
The platform, unveiled at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, is part of a broader reform initiative aimed at enhancing transparency, curbing smuggling, and improving service efficiency.
“This platform redefines how vehicle verification is conducted across Nigeria,” Adeniyi said. “For years, outdated systems left room for fraud, revenue leakage, and frustration. CVMS now introduces a simple, seamless, and secure way to verify a vehicle’s duty status — accessible from anywhere in the world.”
Developed Through Public-Private Partnership
The CVMS was developed in partnership with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and Afripoint Consult, an indigenous tech firm, as part of the NCS’s digital transformation strategy. The platform, which has been in trial mode for two months, is now fully operational.
Users can verify vehicle clearance by entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and paying a ₦15,000 verification fee using any local or international debit or credit card.
“This is a homegrown solution to a long-standing problem,” Adeniyi said. “It empowers the public, importers, and dealers with verifiable data while eliminating manual bottlenecks and inconsistencies in our internal operations.”
Empowering Citizens, Supporting Enforcement
Adeniyi highlighted that the CVMS will democratise access to verified customs data, giving buyers and importers the confidence to transact with certainty and reducing fraud linked to fake customs papers.
“For the public, it brings transparency and ease of access. For our officers, it means smarter, faster, and more accountable customs operations,” he added.
He also noted that the platform supports the federal government’s broader digital agenda and will strengthen enforcement by providing officers with real-time data and analytics to detect anomalies and improve decision-making.
A Tool for Dealers and Law Enforcement
Ajibola Adetula, Managing Director of Afripoint Consult, described the CVMS as a “bifocal platform” serving both the public and customs officers.
“It allows users to confirm vehicle clearance instantly, while also helping enforcement agents verify documents, even outside working hours,” he said.
The platform is integrated with the NCS vehicle clearance database dating back to 2017, ensuring historical records are accessible and verifiable.
A Welcome Relief for Auto Dealers
Also present at the launch was Ajibola Adedoyin, Chairman of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria, who called the system a long-overdue innovation.
“For years, we’ve asked for a reliable system to confirm clearance and reduce harassment of legitimate dealers. This gives us proof we can stand by when issues arise,” he said.
Part of a Broader Modernisation Drive
The CVMS is part of the Nigeria Customs Service’s 20-year Trade Modernisation Project, which seeks to improve trade facilitation, increase revenue, and reduce corruption in the customs process through automation and private sector collaboration.
It also comes amid growing concerns over fake customs documents and smuggled vehicles, which have led to revenue losses and frequent disputes between customs officers and dealers.
With CVMS, the NCS aims to close loopholes, restore public trust, and support the federal government’s goal of achieving a fully automated border and trade management system by 2030.
The launch marks another milestone in Customs’ journey towards digital transformation — ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability across Nigeria’s import and vehicle verification processes.
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