Abia Pensioners Remind Governor Otti of Their Twelve Colleagues Who Died as a Result of Hardship and Beg him for the Outstanding 48-Month Arrears.

Aggrieved pensioners from various State Parastatals in Abia have formally appealed to Governor Alex Otti for the payment of their outstanding retirement pension arrears, which amount to 48 months. The pensioners, affiliated with the Joint Action Committee (JAC), reported that twelve of their peers have succumbed to poverty and hardship as a result of the non-payment. In a letter addressed to Governor Otti, the pensioners emphasized that they are owed 48 months of pension arrears. They reminded the governor of his commitment to enhance their welfare and highlighted the significant role they played in his election as governor in 2023. The parastatals affected by this situation include the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia (BCA), Abia Newspapers, Abia State Housing and Property Development Corporation, the Arts Council, and the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA). The letter, which was made public on Friday and co-signed by Comrade Chinkwe Ikenyi and Chief Ikoro John Ikoro, the group’s chairman and secretary respectively, urged Governor Otti to take immediate action to alleviate their suffering by settling the outstanding pension arrears. The elder statesmen detailed the owed pension arrears as follows: “BCA Umuahia - 12 months, Abia Newspapers - 9 months, The Housing Corporation - 9 months, Arts Council - 9 months, and UCDA - 9 months.” They expressed that the failure to disburse their pensions has resulted in severe hardship for their members, noting that since the cessation of pension payments in November 2023, the BCA has lost eight members due to financial constraints affecting their ability to afford basic necessities such as food and medical care. The Abia Newspapers have similarly experienced tragedy, having lost four members. This unfortunate trend has been observed across the other parastatals, which have also reported the loss of various members since the abrupt halt of pension payments, the pensioners lamented. They informed the governor that the common justification provided by relevant government agencies for the non-payment is the lack of verification. However, it is evident that there seem to be deliberate manipulations by government officials aimed at postponing and ultimately halting all initiatives intended to facilitate the verification of pensioners from various parastatals, as if the process of verification were an insurmountable challenge. They recalled that Governor Otti had previously informed the public during media briefings that the government possessed sufficient funds to disburse to the pensioners, asserting that the money was available in the bank. He further indicated that the only requirement was to verify the pensioners involved. It is important to emphasize that some parastatals had already undergone successful verification under the direction of Mrs. Charity Ukonu, as mandated by the government. Yet, when it came time to process payments for these parastatals, the very government that initiated the verification obstructed the process without justification, continuing to withhold the funds owed to these parastatals and exacerbating their plight by denying them their rightful pension benefits. Additionally, it is noteworthy that the Accountant General has repeatedly failed to honor the agreement made with the pensioners, in conjunction with the Head of Service (H.O.S), which stipulated that following the Pensions Board Verification in September 2024, the pensioners would receive at least one month’s payment to alleviate their financial difficulties, with the arrears to be settled in the subsequent month of October 2024. In a further attempt to maintain control over these pensioners, the Accountant General has returned the Authorization Letters submitted by the Pensions Board on three separate occasions, just as the time for payment approached. This time, she asserted that payment would not be made unless the pensioners were fully verified. It is important to highlight that she was able to disburse payments to only four pensioners from Abia Newspapers, none from BCA, two from the Arts Council, four from U.C.D.A, and thirty from the Housing Corporation. Subsequently, the Government issued another notice for parastatals to undergo a further verification process, with some parastatals not receiving the necessary codes for this verification. All parastatals that have successfully completed their online verification and submitted their verification certificates to the Pensions Board, which in turn forwarded them to the Attorney General’s office, have yet to receive their payments as of now. In light of what appears to be a series of disappointments aimed at prolonging the payment process for pensioners—many of whom are grappling with life-threatening issues such as hunger, health problems associated with aging, and even mortality—we earnestly present the following requests to Your Excellency to help us endure in God’s Own State and foster a New Abia. We urge you to expedite the completion of the verification process for those parastatals that have not yet received their codes for verification. We also request the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears for these parastatals, as we were receiving our payments regularly prior to the emergence of this verification issue. We anticipate receiving our pension arrears this month, which would enable us to settle our debts, restore order in our lives, and recover from the financial hardships and disruptions we have faced over the past year due to the Government's delays. We respectfully remind Your Excellency that pensioners from parastatals, along with other pensioners, played a crucial role in supporting the establishment of this Administration and continue to hope for the full realization of your commitments to improve the circumstances of pensioners, who have always been and will remain your steadfast partners in progress in Abia State.

While Attempting to Test his "Bulletproof" Charm, a Native Doctor Shoots Himself and Escapes Death.

The Nigeria Police Force in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has reported that a local herbalist, Ismail Usman, from Kuchibuyi Village in Kubwa, accidentally shot himself while testing a purported ‘bulletproof’ charm. On Saturday, the police disclosed that the incident took place on Friday. Following the accident, Usman was promptly taken to Kubwa General Hospital for emergency medical attention and subsequently transferred to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for advanced care. SP Josephine Adeh, the Public Relations Officer for the FCT Police, indicated that Usman would be charged with unlawful possession of firearms and attempted suicide, as stipulated under Section 231 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria. The police stated, “On November 23, 2024, a concerning incident occurred in Kuchibuyi Village, prompting the attention of the FCT Police Command. A distress call from Shandam Michael reported a shocking event involving Ismail Usman, a local herbalist known for his unconventional practices. In a misguided effort to evaluate the efficacy of a self-made ‘bulletproof’ charm, Usman shot himself in the abdomen with a shotgun. “Regrettably, the charm did not provide the intended protection, leading to severe injuries. Officers from the Byazhin Division responded promptly, arriving at the scene to find Usman in a critical state. He was swiftly transported to Kubwa General Hospital for urgent treatment and later moved to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for further assistance. “Following the incident, police conducted a comprehensive search of Usman’s residence, recovering the homemade firearm and various charms associated with his reckless endeavor. Investigations are ongoing, and Usman is anticipated to face charges for unlawful possession of firearms and attempted suicide under Section 231 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria.”

Fire Raze Stores in the Idumota Area of Lagos' Spare Part Market

A fire outbreak at a spare parts market in the Idumota area of Lagos State has resulted in the destruction of property valued at millions of naira, as several buildings utilized for the sale of car spare parts were consumed by flames. In a statement released on Saturday, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed that the fire broke out on Friday night. Oke-Osanyintolu indicated that initial investigations revealed that multiple structures serving as shops for car spare parts sales were engulfed in the fire. The statement detailed, “Following emergency calls received through the 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency Lines at 2220 hours, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency mobilized its Emergency Response Teams from Lekki, Cappa, and the Command and Control Centre in Alausa, Ikeja. “Upon the arrival of the LASEMA Response Teams at the scene by 2255 hours, it was observed that several buildings used for the sale of car spare parts were ablaze at the specified location. “The exact causes of the fire, whether immediate or underlying, had not been determined at the time of this report. Nevertheless, properties and goods worth hundreds of millions of naira were lost in the blaze. “The LASEMA Shark Response Team, LASEMA Fire Unit, LASEMA Tiger Response Team, along with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Federal Fire Service, collaborated to control the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures. “Law enforcement agencies present at the scene implemented crowd control measures to ensure safety for all individuals in the vicinity.” Oke-Osanyintolu further stated that there were no reported casualties or injuries resulting from the incident. He mentioned that “dampening down” operations have commenced to eliminate any remaining hotspots, and efforts to salvage valuable items from the affected shops are currently underway. According to him, work is ongoing to fully extinguish the fire, and recovery operations continue.

In Bauchi University, ASUU Starts an Indefinite Strike.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) in Bauchi has announced an indefinite strike to emphasize its demands for improved working conditions from the university administration. In a statement to the press following an emergency congress convened at the Yuli Campus in Bauchi, Comrade Awwal Hussain Nuhu, the Chairperson of the SAZU branch of ASUU, indicated that the congress had determined it had exhausted all available avenues, and all efforts to engage the authorities regarding its demands had been unsuccessful. The chairperson remarked that the congress recognized the university administration's and the government's lack of willingness and commitment to address its concerns, despite numerous attempts made. Nuhu stated, “As a result, a union member proposed a motion for the branch to initiate a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action, which was seconded by another member. “Subsequently, the congress adopted a resolution for the branch to commence a comprehensive and indefinite strike action until further notice. “The strike is set to begin immediately at 12:00 PM on Friday, November 29, 2024. All ASUU members at SAZU are instructed to adhere to this directive, as no academic activities or meetings will occur during the strike period. “Members are instructed to engage in a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action until further notice. This means that all activities, including teaching, grading, meetings, accreditation, and any other functions related to academic staff, are suspended indefinitely.”

JUST IN: Zubair "Take-It-Back" Organizer in Abuja Gets Released by DSS.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has announced the release of Zubair, the organizer of the pro-democracy group, the Take-It-Back Movement (TIB), who was apprehended in Kano State on Thursday. Reports from SaharaReporters indicate that Zubair was freed by the DSS in Abuja on Friday night and is currently en route to Kano. However, DSS operatives have withheld Zubair’s phone from him. “Zubair was released last night by the DSS in Abuja. He is now traveling to Kano. His phone is still being retained,” The TIB, which raised concerns regarding Zubair's arrest, stated that the reasons behind his detention remain unclear. However, the organization noted that sources suggested his arrest may be linked to a critical Facebook post he made about the government. The organization stated, “Zubair, the TIB organizer in Kano, was detained by the DSS earlier today. The reasons for his arrest are still unknown. “However, sources have indicated that it may be related to a Facebook post that criticized the government, and the activist is being transferred to Abuja. “We demand his immediate and unconditional release!” There has been a troubling trend of increasing repression of dissenting voices in Nigeria by political leaders at local, state, and federal levels. Particularly concerning is the fact that security agencies have become convenient instruments for those in power to suppress opposition. Numerous Nigerians remain in detention and face prosecution for their involvement in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests that took place from August 1-10, 2024.

EPL: Guardiola's Reasons for Not Getting Fired by Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has credited his past successes as the reason for his continued position at the Premier League club. Despite the team’s current struggles, having not secured a victory in their last six matches across all competitions, including five consecutive losses and one draw—marking the most challenging period of Guardiola's managerial career—he remains at the helm. Guardiola remarked that he would likely have faced dismissal had he not accumulated 18 trophies over the past eight years. “At this football club, winning is essential; failure to do so will lead to difficulties,” he stated during a press conference. He acknowledged the questions surrounding his job security, saying, “People wonder why I am not in jeopardy of being sacked. The achievements of the last eight years provide me with some leeway. The trust from the fans and the club's hierarchy is significant.” Guardiola recognized that the current results are not typical for a club of Manchester City's stature, yet he expressed his desire to remain in his role. “I am committed to this club, but if I ever feel that I am no longer a positive influence, then it will be time for a change in management.”

The Court Sets May 2025 as the Deadline for Finland's Prosecution of Simon Ekpa for Terrorism.

A Finnish court has established May 2025 as the deadline for prosecutors to file charges against Simon Ekpa, who has declared himself the Prime Minister of Biafra and is facing accusations related to terrorism. Mikko Laaksonen, Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, announced this timeline on Tuesday, indicating that Ekpa’s case is advancing in the Päijät-Häme District Court. Ekpa, who claims the title of “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, was apprehended last week along with four other individuals on suspicions of terrorism-related crimes, which include inciting violence and financing terrorism. Finnish authorities have alleged that Ekpa used social media platforms to incite violence against civilians and government officials in Nigeria’s South-East region. As reported by the local media outlet Yle, Ekpa has been detained on charges of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent. In a related announcement, Finland’s Central Criminal Police revealed that the other individuals in custody are accused of providing financial support for terrorist activities, thereby increasing the scrutiny surrounding Ekpa’s alleged actions. Detective Laaksonen confirmed that the investigation is ongoing but refrained from providing additional details. When inquired about the timeline for Simon Ekpa’s court proceedings, he remarked, “Due to the ongoing investigation, no further information can be disclosed. The district court has set May 2025 for the prosecution to potentially present charges.” Laaksonen also noted that both Ekpa and the Finnish authorities have the option to request a re-evaluation of the case after a two-week period. “In standard remand situations, a re-evaluation hearing can take place no sooner than two weeks from the last hearing, provided that the involved parties make such a request,” he clarified. Officials have chosen not to provide further details regarding the extent of this collaboration. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) remarked, “International cooperation is integral to the investigation given the case's nature, but additional comments cannot be offered at this time.” Ekpa, a Finnish national of Nigerian heritage, gained notoriety for promoting a boycott of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which led to violent enforcement measures and assaults on local residents. He was apprehended in February 2023 for inciting violence and issuing sit-at-home directives in Nigeria’s South-East, prompting international petitions that called for intervention from Finnish and Nigerian authorities, as well as the European Union. In light of Ekpa’s actions, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Finnish Ambassador Leena Pylvanainen to seek Finland’s cooperation. Recently, the District Court of Päijät-Häme in Finland ordered Ekpa’s detention on suspicions of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent. He faces charges of incitement, while his associates are implicated in financing terrorism.