NEWS
Oyetola presents N1.156b bond certificates to Osun retirees
…says his govt has spent over N43b on pensions
…orders immediate implementation of 65-year of age, 40-year of service for public school teachers
In line with his avowed commitment to the welfare of retirees in Osun, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday, presented bond certificates worth a N1.156billion to another set of pensioners in the State.
The bond certificates were presented to 162 retirees comprising primary school teachers, local government staff, and those in the core civil service, parastatals, and state-owned tertiary institutions. They all expressed joy over the bond certificates presented to them.
A further breakdown shows that 93 retirees from local government service and primary schools were presented N656,304,000 bond certificates while 69 retirees from the core civil service, parastatals, and tertiary institutions got a total of N500million bond certificates.
Speaking during the bond presentation ceremony held at the Multi-purpose Hall, Local Government Service Commission, State Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, Governor Oyetola disclosed that his administration has so far expended over N43billion on payment of pensions.
The governor also ordered the immediate implementation of the 65 years retirement age and 40 years of length of service for teachers in public schools across the State. This is in fulfillment of the pledge he made to workers during the last May Day celebration in the State.
Read Also >> Osun Police: Oyetola Commiserate With Journalist, Others, Condems Shooting
Governor Oyetola said despite the limited resources available to the State government, his administration had continued to fulfill the monthly obligation and irrevocably committed to the payment of pensions and gratuities of retirees under the old pension scheme.
He said, “As at today, we have committed a little over 43billion naira to the payment of pensions, all in a bid to ensure that our senior citizens are adequately taken care of, having served our dear State meritoriously. This, we are committed to do unabated, not minding the precarious financial situation of the State occasioned by the economic downturn in the country.
“Let me also use this opportunity to inform you all that our administration is set to commence the implementation of the sixty-five (65) years of age and forty years (40) length of service for teachers in Public Schools across the State. This is in line with my pronouncement during the May Day celebration this year and in adopting the Federal Government policy on the matter as amended.
“I must emphasize that this initiative was taken without any pressure from any Union but as part of the packages this administration has for teachers in our State so that they can enjoy the same opportunity with their colleagues throughout the Country.”
The Governor expressed gratitude to the workers most importantly the organized Labour, for their unalloyed support and high sense of understanding towards the sustainability of the whole gamut of pension matters in the State.
“It is heartwarming to note that our administration has not only been successful in the issuance of Bond Certificates to the retirees but has also ensured that infrastructural development in the State is not lacking.
“As an administration, our focus is to make life more bearable for all and sundry in the State. For me, regular payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities is a covenant between me and God. I shall therefore continue to discharge this responsibility for as long as I remain the Governor of our dear State.
“This is the more reason we have continued to do all in our power to meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people within the ambit of available resources. I want to assure our people who have entrusted us with their mandate that, with us, you are in safe hand as we have other packages in stock which shall be unfolded as we continue the journey together”, he added.
Some of the beneficiaries who could not hide their feelings extolled Governor Oyetola for putting smiles on their faces despite the socioeconomic reality of the State.
The pensioners also eulogized the government for the prompt payment of their pensions saying God has used the Governor “to have our dues while still alive.”
Mr. Micheal Akinwumi Fasipe and Mrs. Adeniyi Hafusat Moronke described the payment of their pensions by the state government as one of the great things that has happened to them on this earth.
They prayed God to continue to uphold the Governor and his government for taking the welfare and general well-being of the masses particularly workers as priority since the assumption of office.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Local Government Staff Pension Bureau, Mr Kayode Aliu Afolabi, said the Contributory Pension Scheme under the administration of Governor Oyetola had recorded many achievements among which are regular remittances into employees’ retirement Savings Account Funding of the Accrued Rights Account and Settlement of death benefits of deceased contributors.
“It is pertinent to mention that the successes recorded in the Scheme so far are due to the passion and resilience of Mr Governor in seeing to the welfare of the people of the State even in the face of a dearth of funds. I thank Mr. Governor for his support and commitment to the Scheme, particularly to the welfare of retirees,” Afolabi noted.
Also speaking, the State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Jacob Adekomi and State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, lauded Oyetola for his tremendous support for workers in the State, noting that the new feat was a clear manifestation of the love the Governor has for teachers and the teaching profession.
“The present generation of teachers in the state cannot thank you enough for your kind gesture, the upcoming generations shall inherit and keep going with it for years,” Adekomi said.
Oil marketers have warned that Nigerians may soon pay as much as ₦1,500 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, as global oil prices surge following the escalating conflict involving Iran in the Middle East.
The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, issued the warning on Tuesday while speaking on a television programme on the impact of the global crisis on fuel prices.
According to him, the current volatility in the international oil market has already pushed petrol prices above ₦1,000 per litre at the depot level, with the ex-depot price from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery now standing at about ₦1,175 per litre.
He explained that once logistics, transportation, and other operational costs are added, the final pump price could rise significantly, possibly reaching ₦1,500 per litre in the near future.
Despite concerns about the rising cost of fuel, Gillis-Harry noted that steady availability of petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery remains a major relief for Nigeria, stressing that consistent supply is better than a nationwide fuel scarcity.
He added that the refinery’s production capacity is helping to stabilize supply across the country at a time when global markets remain highly unstable.
The latest price adjustment by the Dangote Refinery marks the fourth review within two weeks. Petrol prices increased from ₦995 per litre to ₦1,175 per litre, while diesel rose from ₦1,430 to about ₦1,620 per litre.
The development comes amid a sharp spike in international crude oil prices triggered by fears of supply disruptions due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Brent crude recently climbed above $102 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose to around $101 per barrel.
Industry analysts say the rising oil prices are already having a ripple effect on Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, forcing depot operators and fuel marketers to adjust their prices in response to the global market trend.
Meanwhile, the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has stated that although Nigeria introduced a crude-for-naira arrangement to support local refineries, the facility still purchases crude oil at international market prices, leaving it exposed to global price fluctuations.
The United Nations has raised the alarm over a dramatic surge in attacks on schools worldwide, reporting a 166% increase between 2021 and 2024.
The rise highlights the escalating dangers faced by children in conflict zones.
United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, revealed the figures during the annual meeting of the UN Human Rights Council on the rights of the child on Monday.
The session, themed “Mainstreaming the Rights of Children in Armed Conflict: Prevention and Protection,” focused on protecting children amid global conflicts.
Al-Nashif noted that the attacks were particularly concentrated in Sudan, Ukraine, the Gaza Strip, Myanmar, and Ethiopia, where children remain among the most vulnerable victims.
“In 2024, armed conflict directly affected nearly one in six children globally—about 470 million children,” she said. “Years of lost education, trauma, and lasting mental scars shape societies for generations. Long after the fighting subsides, children continue to face deadly risks.”
She highlighted Gaza as having the world’s highest number of child amputees per capita, warning that the impact of war goes far beyond immediate violence.
In Lebanon, government figures show that more than 450,000 people were displaced in less than a week, with at least 394 fatalities, including 83 children, during the 2024 conflict with Israel.
Al-Nashif also stressed the disproportionate risks for displaced children, who are more likely to die from disease linked to unsafe water and sanitation than from direct violence.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a 2025 cholera outbreak killed 340 children, underscoring the long-term consequences of conflict.
She called on states to uphold their international obligations to protect children, insisting that protecting children is “both a legal obligation and a humanitarian moral imperative.”
Also speaking at the council, Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, warned that violence against children continued at extreme levels in 2025.
She urged mainstreaming child protection across peace, security, humanitarian, human rights, and development efforts, emphasizing that children should actively participate in shaping policies designed to safeguard them.
Frazier highlighted her office’s global campaign, “Prove It Matters,” aimed at amplifying children’s voices in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
The UN report underscores the urgent need for coordinated international action to protect children and ensure their safety in conflict zones worldwide.
Portugal officially inaugurated its new president, Antonio Jose Seguro, on Monday, pledging to bring stability to a nation shaken by political uncertainty and natural disasters.
Seguro, the centre-left candidate, won last month’s presidential run-off against far-right rival Andre Ventura, following weeks of catastrophic storms that killed at least seven people and caused approximately €4 billion ($4.6 billion) in damage.
Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony in Lisbon’s parliament, Seguro emphasized cooperation with the minority right-wing government and vowed to end the country’s “electoral frenzy.”
SEE MORE: Spain, Portugal Plunge Into Darkness Amid Widespread Power Outage
“I will do everything I can to put an end to this electoral frenzy,” he said, pointing to the inability of previous governments to complete their terms.
Amid global crises, including conflicts in the Middle East and a more isolationist US approach under President Donald Trump, Seguro stressed the importance of multilateralism.
“The force of law has been replaced by the power of the strongest,” he remarked.
Seguro succeeds Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a conservative who leaves office at 77 after serving two five-year terms.
While the Portuguese presidency is largely ceremonial, Seguro’s leadership signals a commitment to political stability and international engagement.
Fuel Price Shock: Nigerians May Soon Pay ₦1,500 Per Litre – Marketers Warn
Political Earthquake in Zamfara as Gov Lawal Dumps PDP for APC
Court Pushes Malami, Son’s Terrorism Financing Trial to April 15
African Club Football Gets Major Financial Boost as CAF Hikes Prize Money
Abramovich Clashes with UK Gov’t Over £2.35bn Chelsea Sale Funds
Global Crisis: Attacks on Schools Skyrocket 166% – UN Sounds Alarm on Children’s Safety
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Things To Know About Threads, Zuckerberg’s Twitter-like App
