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Senate moves to put in place legal frame work for national social security

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Senate Delegation to visit Ekweremadu in UK

Senate moves to put in place legal frame work for national social security

***As national social security commission. Bill scales 2nd reading

Hope came alive on Wednesday for vulnerable Nigerians as a bill seeking to empower them with social security benefits has passed Second Reading in the Senate.

Sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the bill seeks to establish the National Social Security Commission (NASSCOM) that would regulate, manage and administer social security benefits to eligible Nigeria.

Titled: ‘Nigerian Social Security Commission (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2022 (SB 899)’, the proposed legislation will provide safety net for poor, weak and vulnerable Nigerians.

Senator Omo-Agege in his lead debate explained that out of the nine domains listed in the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) which Nigeria is a signatory to, only employment injury benefit is statutorily covered in the country.

He pointed out that when passed into law, Nigerians with several medical conditions, those incapacitated to work, unemployed citizens, senior citizens (70 years and above), families who have lost their breadwinners, widows incapable of self-support among others, will receive periodic social security benefits from the Commission.

He added that the National Social Security Commission (NASSCOM) bill aims to reduce poverty by providing a strong social safety net for vulnerable groups and serve as a model of governance reform anchored on the principles of transparency and accountability.

“Nigeria is a signatory to the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This Convention articulates globally-agreed minimum social security standards in 9 domains. Except employment injury benefit that is already statutorily covered in Nigeria, eight of the domains are uncovered, and they are the focus of this Bill.

“Consistent with Convention No. 102, which allows nations to enact social security laws based on their peculiarities but without prejudice to the global minimum standards, this Bill seeks to provide a comprehensive legal and governance framework for the proper administration of an inclusive national social security protection system that offers adjustable periodic benefits to eligible Nigerians who face improvidence arising from the eight uncovered domains.

“This Bill seeks to establish a Commission which shall, amongst others, determine the beneficiaries of social security benefits across the country, taking into consideration available resources, equity, severity of ascertained improvident conditions and contingencies, and such other factors that will promote national peace, unity and security through the social security system,” he said.

In their separate contributions, Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi State) and Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC, Niger State), threw their support for the bill.

While commending the Deputy President of the Senate for the initiative, they noted that it would go a long way in resolving the security challenges confronting the nation as the poor, weak and vulnerable would be provided safety nets. With this, they argued that such persons would stop being willing tools for those with the sinister motive of wrecking havoc on the country.

“This is another people-centred legislation. It will be a landmark legislation that Nigerians will remember this Ninth Senate for. I therefore urge my colleagues to support this bill”, said Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.

President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, referred the bill to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service for further work after passing Second Reading

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Tinubu Gov’t Unveils North Central Development Projects Across Eight Sectors

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Nigeria has the best cyclists in Africa - Sunday Dare

The Presidency has highlighted major development projects across Nigeria’s North Central region under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, covering eight key sectors, including road infrastructure, power, agriculture, education, aviation and security.

Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication and Presidential Spokesperson, disclosed this on Sunday, November 15, 2026, in a post on his X account.

According to Dare, the projects are designed to improve regional connectivity, expand economic opportunities, strengthen food security and promote development across communities in the region.

ALSO READ: ‘Tinubu Built Northern Alliances Long Before Presidency’ – Sunday Dare

He highlighted interventions spanning major road construction, renewable energy, agricultural support, educational development, security infrastructure and empowerment programmes.

In the road infrastructure sector, the listed projects include the Mararaban Jama’a–Pankshin–Langtang–Shendam–River Ibi corridor dual carriageway, Phase II rehabilitation of the Babban-Lamba–Sharan Road and construction of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway.

Others include the construction of the 600-metre Akwanga Underpass, completion of the Lafia Bypass, reconstruction of the Bali–Serti–Gembu Road and construction of the Gembu–Mbamnga–Yang Road, which commenced in early 2025. Improvement works are also listed along the Jalingo–Wukari corridor.

In the aviation sector, the government highlighted approval for the construction of an airstrip on the Mambilla Plateau.

The power and renewable energy initiatives include a 40-megawatt hydropower plant at the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam, expected to supply electricity to the national grid, as well as irrigation channels to support year-round farming.

Other interventions include the deployment of solar-powered mini-grids, installation of solar streetlights and provision of solar home systems to households.

On agriculture and food security, the Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Programme is expected to provide farmers with improved seedlings, fertiliser and agricultural training.

The list also includes support for hybrid potato farming, expansion of irrigated farmland through dam infrastructure and development of agricultural processing centres.

For women and youth empowerment, the initiatives include agricultural support for women and young farmers through the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative.

Vocational skills development and certification for women, start-up grants for small businesses, market women empowerment through business training and start-up tools, as well as rural grants and skills development programmes, are also highlighted.

In education, the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa is listed for transformation into the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology, alongside expanded scholarship opportunities and improved access to higher education.

On security, the government outlined plans for the establishment of a new Army Division in Jalingo, Taraba State, alongside strengthened security deployment to protect farming communities and improve safety.

The eighth area focuses on regional development, with the North Central Development Commission identified as a long-term regional development initiative. Additional federal road projects are also expected to improve connectivity and support economic activities.

Dare’s disclosure highlights the administration’s focus on infrastructure expansion, agricultural productivity, energy access and human capital development as part of its Renewed Hope Agenda.

 

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Shettima, Wife Depart Abuja for Jos as Tinubu–Shettima Campaign Takes Rally to Plateau

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Jos, Plateau State, alongside his wife, Hajiya Nana Shettima, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in the state.

The visit is part of the Tinubu–Shettima campaign’s engagements as the ruling party seeks to secure support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The campaign’s visit to Plateau is expected to highlight the Federal Government’s infrastructure and economic development projects in the state, particularly those aimed at improving road connectivity, boosting commerce and supporting agricultural activities.

SEE ALSO: Tinubu, Shettima Head to Jos for APC Presidential Campaign Rally

Among the projects highlighted by the administration is the ongoing 125-kilometre Akwanga–Jos highway, which forms part of the Akwanga–Bauchi–Gombe–Maiduguri Superhighway.

Other projects include the rehabilitation of the Sharram–Garram–Babban Lamba Road in Kanke and the approved Mararaban Jama’a–Kanke–Langtang–Shendam–Ibi Road, which is expected to improve connectivity between Plateau and Taraba states.

The administration says the projects are part of its broader development agenda to connect communities, facilitate access to markets and provide farmers and businesses with improved infrastructure.

The APC campaign is expected to use the rally to present the administration’s achievements and future plans while seeking the confidence of Plateau residents to continue its development agenda beyond 2027.

 

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Ogun Police Disburse ₦10.6m to Families of Fallen Officers Under IGP Welfare Scheme

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The Ogun State Police Command has presented cheques totalling ₦10.65 million to families and next-of-kin of deceased police officers who served under the command, as part of efforts to support dependants of personnel who died in active service.

The cheques, amounting to ₦10,658,391.36, were presented on Saturday, November 14, 2026, by the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi B. Babas​eyi, anipr, and dated November 14, 2026.

ALSO READ: How Ogun Driver Allegedly Stole Boss’s ₦45m Lexus and Plotted to Sell It for ₦10m in Cotonou

The presentation took place at the Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, under the Nigeria Police Force Group Life Assurance and the IGP Family Welfare Schemes.

The initiatives are designed to provide financial assistance to families of police officers who lost their lives while serving the country.

Accompanied by members of the Command Management Team, Ojajuni personally handed over the cheques to the beneficiaries.

Addressing the recipients, the police commissioner reaffirmed the Inspector-General’s commitment to the welfare of police personnel and their families.

He described the widows and families of the deceased officers as the “true superheroes”, acknowledging their resilience in coping with the loss of their loved ones who died in service to the nation.

Ojajuni noted that the financial intervention was a demonstration of the Force’s appreciation and institutional responsibility to support the families of fallen officers.

He said the initiative represented the Nigeria Police Force’s enduring commitment to standing by the dependants of personnel who paid the ultimate price in active service.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ejembi Ada Veronica thanked the Inspector-General of Police and the Ogun State Police Command for remembering their families and providing financial assistance.

She assured the authorities that the money would be channelled towards the education, upkeep and general welfare of the children and dependants left behind by the deceased officers.

According to her, the intervention would provide timely relief and help improve the stability of the affected families.

The Ogun State Police Command reiterated its commitment to supporting the families of fallen officers, assuring them of its continued solidarity.

 

 

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