News

Jubilation As 1,768 Lagos Retirees Get N5bn Accrued Benefits

Published

3 years ago

May 1, 2023

No fewer than 1,768 Lagos State retirees have been paid N5 billion retirement benefits in April by the state government.

Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Lagos State, Mrs Ajibola Ponnle, disclosed this at the 100th Retirement Bond Certificate Presentation to the state’s civil service retirees, organised by the Lagos State Pension Commission, LASPEC, in Lagos.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishment, Trainings and Pension, Mr Olawale Musa, Ponnle said the accrued pension rights were paid into the Retirement Savings Accounts, RSAs, of the retirees, alongside their monthly contributions.

She noted that the state had been a consistent high flyer in the pension industry, with over N50.7 billion paid to 13,928 retirees from May 2019 till date.

According to her, the beneficiaries are in the Mainstream, local governments, State Universal Basic Board, SUBEB, Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM, and other parastatals of the state government.

Ponnle stated that one of the state government’s major priorities in actualising the vision for a ‘Greater Lagos’ was to provide a safe retirement and welfare for its staff.

She said this would be done through a dynamic, efficient and effective workforce that would pilot the agenda.

“We are currently working on some reforms based on global best practices to reduce post-retirement financial difficulties. We are committed to building an environment that is safe, secure and sustainable for all residents of Lagos State.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will continue to raise the bar of governance to improve livelihood and maintain the safety, peace and prosperity of everyone living in Lagos,” she said.

According to her, the 100th retirement bond presentation ceremony, since the inception of the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, in Lagos, was a special centenary festivity and a blessing for the state to have sustained the event this far.

Ponnle said that Lagos State had maintained its leading role in the administration of the CPS and payment of pension obligations to its retirees.

She said, “The state government is truly grateful for your hard work and recognises the need to protect your retirement benefits. Hence, Lagos State was one of the first states to implement the CPS, with an objective to ensure its workers receive income regularly in their retirement.

“I use this occasion to thank you all for the return of the governor for a second term of service to our great state.”

According to her, the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu through LASPEC collaborates frequently with policy makers and stakeholders in the industry, to strengthen the governance, management and effectiveness of CPS in the state.

The commissioner urged the pensioners to only seek advice from competent and reliable sources on the different options available for investing the funds in their retirement accounts.

She said: “Do not hesitate to contact LASPEC or even the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions for questions or clarifications regarding the modalities surrounding your retirement benefit matters.

“I congratulate every retiree present and wish you all the best. I pray that God will give you good health to enjoy your benefits.

In his address, , LASPEC’s Director-General, Mr Babalola Obilana, thanked the state governor for working assiduously to ensure the consistent payment of pension liabilities and first class service to the state’s retirees.

Obilana said the governor had shown great commitment to the ideals of the CPS, by prioritising the welfare of the public service workforce even in retirement.

“His administration has initiated various programmes to secure the financial freedom of our senior citizens.

“Today, we are here to celebrate your dedication and service to Lagos State. Your labour while in the public service has not been forgotten. Thank you for your contribution to the dream of a Greater Lagos,” he said.

The director-general advised the retirees to be prudent with their expenses, while praying that God grant them long life and good health to enjoy their retirement.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

11 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

12 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.