NEWS
CPS: Lagos Alive to Responsibilities
The Lagos State Government is not ignorant of the pains of retirees waiting for their disengagement benefits, long after leaving active service and has plans to address it.
The issue came to the fore on Friday at the 98th Batch Retirement Bond Certificate Presentation to the state’s retirees put together by the Lagos State Pension Commission.
Governor, Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, disclosed that since the inception of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in 2004, the state had paid not less than N125 billion to 29,518 retirees.
He assured that the outstanding payments were being looked into.
Sanwo-Olu said, “We are not unaware of the backlog in the payment of accrued rights but we are focused on the intentional and strategic eradication of this backlog.”
Represented by Secretary to the State Government, Folashade Jaji, the governor in a keynote averred that the state government had also paid over N47 billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) of its retirees since the advent of his administration in 2019.
He noted that 12,642 retirees from the state’s Mainstream, Local Government, State Universal Basic Board (SUBEB), Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and other parastatals were enjoying their retirement benefits under CPS in the state.
“The Lagos State government has paid 125,996,687,159.13 to 29,518 retirees since the advent of CPS and N47,050,805,734.16 to its retirees since the inception of my administration,” he said.
According to him, the state had paid not less than N2,522 billion into the RSAs of another set of 755 retirees for the month of December.
“This is alongside their monthly contributions which have already been remitted into their respective RSAs with the Pension Fund Administrators.
“Today’s event is a continued affirmation of the commitment of the state government to the welfare of its workforce, both active and post-service.
“This event is a landmark occasion as the number of retirees and the amount to be paid is the single largest we have paid since the inception of the CPS in Lagos State,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Commissioner for Establishments, Training & Pensions, Lagos State, Ajibola Ponnle, opined that the accrued pension right paid by the state government between 2019 and till date was the highest paid by any state government.
She was represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishment Training & Pensions, Dr Abiodun Onayele.
In her words, “Lagos State has been consistent in her leadership role in the implementation of the CPS and has won numerous awards such as the best compliant state in the federation consecutively and consistently.”
“We are committed to maintaining this rating by improving on timely payment of retirees’ pensions and other applicable benefits upon disengagement from service.
“As you receive your retirement bond certificates, I wish to advise you to embrace the joy and challenges of this new phase of life and take advice from competent and reliable sources.
“In this regard, please do not hesitate to contact LASPEC or even the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions should you require clarifications or advice regarding the modalities surrounding your retirement benefits matters.
A tragic building collapse in Rivers State has left a middle-aged contractor, identified as Udeme, feared dead after a two-storey structure under construction caved in at the Egbelu Mgbaraja area of Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
This incident comes just one week after a three-storey building collapsed at the Iriebe axis of the same local government, though that incident fortunately recorded no casualties.
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The latest collapse occurred on Monday, November 4, 2024, around 2 p.m., with construction workers on site when the structure gave way.
According to eyewitness Mr. Jonathan Obey, the building’s second floor suddenly buckled, trapping Udeme beneath the rubble, while another worker managed to escape with serious injuries.
Obey, who attempted to rescue the trapped contractor, suspected negligence, saying, “We couldn’t reach him despite our efforts. An inspection revealed substandard materials had been used, with the foundation only three feet deep for a two-storey building, which is insufficient. The rebar was of poor quality, and essential supports, such as a center beam, were absent.”
The Rivers State Government has since sealed off the property and declared the developer, Vincent Nwoye, wanted for questioning.
Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, visited the site and expressed his dismay, attributing the collapse to gross negligence.
“This tragedy was preventable,” Bipi stated. “The developer failed to obtain an approved building plan and used inferior materials. The government will ensure accountability and take severe action.”
Bipi extended his condolences to the victim’s family and the Ogbogoro Community, affirming that the government will facilitate the family’s recovery of their loved one’s remains. “We sympathize with the bereaved family and the entire community,” he added.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Samuel Anya, also condemned the developer’s actions, highlighting the dangers posed when profit is prioritized over safety. “This loss is a direct consequence of unethical practices,” he said.
The government has committed to a thorough investigation and tighter regulatory enforcement to prevent further tragedies in Rivers State.
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye has passed on.
The news of his passing was leaked by a reliable source under the condition of anonymity.
The sad incident, according to the source, happened in Ado Ekiti in the early hours of Tuesday.
His death is being traced to a sickness which came upon him following the injury he sustained when a section of the Ekiti State High Court Complex, Ado Ekiti wall collapsed in July 12, 2023.
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The late Justice Adeyeye was at the office when the building collapse happened and sustained injuries.
While the state and his family were yet to issue statements on his demise, the Ekiti State Chapter of the Association of International Female Lawyers (FIDA) has sent condolences to the family.
The condolences message read: “With deep sorrow in our hearts and in total submission to the will of God, FIDA Ekiti consoles with the family of the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye on his call to glory.
“May He find rest with his maker.
“I pray that God grants the family, the Judiciary and the people of Ekiti State, the grace to bear this irreparable loss.
Adieu great one.”
Justice Adeyeye was born 1960 in Araromi Ugbesi in Ekiti East Local Government of Ekiti State and was called to bar in 1986.
He started his career as a State Counsel in the civil service of the then Ondo State before joining the Ekiti State Judiciary Service Commission shortly after the state was created in 1996.
He was promoted to the position of a judge in the state’s high court in 2002 and has served at different occasions in the election petition tribunal.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed all charges against 76 individuals accused of participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
The ruling came after the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, moved to discontinue the case under orders from President Bola Tinubu.
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Justice Obiora Egwuatu, presiding over the matter, struck out the charges after hearing a motion from the AGF’s representative, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) Mohammed Abubakar.
Citing Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, the AGF formally took over the case from the Inspector General of Police, then requested to drop all charges against the defendants, many of whom are minors.
The judge granted the AGF’s application without objection from defense counsel, ordering the immediate release of the accused, who were not present in court.
This decision follows a directive issued on Monday by President Tinubu, instructing the AGF to withdraw charges against the protesters.
More to follow……….
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