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.
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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.
Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters is pushing forward with his plan to introduce Bibles into classrooms, opening bids Monday for a contract to supply 55,000 Bibles to the state’s Department of Education.
The move follows his long-held stance of incorporating the Bible into the educational environment, but the specifics of the bid have raised legal and ethical concerns.
According to the bid documents, the Bibles must adhere to strict requirements: they must be King James Version (KJV), include both the Old and New Testaments, and be bound in leather or leather-like material.
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Additionally, they must contain several American founding documents, including the Pledge of Allegiance, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
However, finding Bibles that meet these criteria has proven challenging. A salesperson from Mardel Christian & Education, a major supplier of Christian educational materials, reported that despite carrying 2,900 different Bibles, none met the bid’s specifications.
Yet, one Bible does: the God Bless the U.S.A. Bible—often referred to as the “Trump Bible”—endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
Priced at $60 each, this Bible is available online, with Trump receiving fees for his endorsement. Another option, the We The People Bible, endorsed by Donald Trump Jr., retails for $90.
The involvement of Trump-endorsed products has sparked criticism.
Colleen McCarty, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, expressed concerns about the bid process.
“The RFP on its face seems fair, but with additional scrutiny, we can see there are very few Bibles on the market that would meet these criteria, and all of them have been endorsed by former President Donald Trump,” McCarty said.
Former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson weighed in, suggesting that the specifications could be legally questionable. “It appears to me that this bid is anything but competitive,” Edmondson said.
“It adds to the basic specification other requirements that have nothing to do with the text.
“The special binding and inclusion of government documents will exclude almost all bidders. If the bid specs exclude most bidders unnecessarily, I could consider that a violation.”
Beyond the potential legal and competitive issues, concerns about the cost have emerged. If the state opts for the God Bless the U.S.A. Bible at $60 per copy, the total expense for 55,000 Bibles would amount to $3.3 million.
Walters’ agency had requested $3 million from the Oklahoma Legislature as part of its fiscal year 2026 budget, specifically earmarked for Bible purchases, despite cheaper options being readily available.
Paperback versions of the New King James Version can be purchased for as little as $2.99, and free Bible apps are widely accessible.
Walters has frequently spoken about his desire to place Bibles in classrooms, though he has clarified that they would only be used in academic contexts, such as history or literature classes.
However, with only 43,000 classroom teachers in the state, many of whom do not teach these subjects, the request for 55,000 copies has drawn skepticism.
“We have talked about ensuring that our history courses include the role the Bible played throughout American history,” Walters said.
“We’ve talked about the efforts of left-wing groups and the teachers’ unions to drive the Bible out of school. I believe it’s important for historical context for our kids to understand the role the Bible played.”
The inclusion of government documents in the Bible has been another sticking point, with Walters explaining that while he does not want “extra things” added, items like the Constitution and the Magna Carta could be valuable historical references.
A damning video clip has resurfaced, showing former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike vehemently opposing the godfather syndrome in politics.
The clip, which is currently circulating on social media, reveals Wike’s stance on the issue, stating that the godfather syndrome will not be tolerated in Rivers State.
In the video, Wike, who is currently serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, explicitly states that the system of godfatherism may be prevalent in other states like Lagos, but it will not happen in Rivers.
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He emphasizes that he cannot perpetuate the system even if he wants to, and that it is not possible for one individual to dictate the political landscape of the state.
He said, “It may happen in Lagos State but it cannot happen in Rivers, we are quite different. As a governor, I will come and go and I can’t stop it.
“The day that my tenure ends, by the grace of God, I will go. When you are thinking that what is happening in Lagos State, we will do it here, it may be difficult.
“You can’t continue to say that you must be a godfather of a state. That is the problem and it is not possible.
However, the irony of Wike’s statement is not lost on many, as Rivers State is currently embroiled in one of the worst political crises in the country.
wike and incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara are locked in a bitter struggle for control of the state’s leadership structure, with both sides trading blows and accusations.
The crisis has divided Rivers State along ethnic and political lines, with various groups issuing threats and warnings.
The Ijaw Youth Council and the Ijaw National Congress have warned that any attempt to remove Fubara from office will be seen as an attack on the Ijaw nation.
As the situation in Rivers State continues to unfold, the resurfaced video clip has raised questions about Wike’s commitment to his earlier stance on godfatherism.
An explosion rocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, causing significant damage to the building and its surroundings .
The blast, suspected to have been caused by dynamite, shattered the secretariat’s gate, doors, and windows, and also destroyed other properties.
This is the second attack on the APC secretariat this year, and it comes at a time when the local government elections are set to hold in the state.
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The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has confirmed that all sensitive materials have been distributed to the various local government area.
A viral video of the incident has been circulating, showing workers assessing the damage to the secretariat.
The police have not yet commented on the incident, but the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, has promised to investigate and provide updates.
The APC has not made any official statement on the incident, but the attack has raised concerns about the safety and security of political parties and their properties in the state.
The incident is currently under investigation, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.
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