News

Retired Cops Protest, Reject IG’s Role In Pension Dispute

Published

1 year ago

February 26, 2025

Editor

Retired police officers have called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to step aside from matters concerning their removal from the Contributory Pension Scheme, insisting that they do not trust his involvement in the process.

The retirees made their position clear during a protest at the National Assembly on Wednesday, urging lawmakers to take full control of the matter without interference from the police hierarchy.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Chairman of the Kaduna State Chapter of the Association of Retired Police Officers under the CPS, CSP Manir Lawal (retd.), expressed concerns that recent developments had heightened their fears.

“That meeting at Jabi some weeks ago raised our tension. Before then, we were 100% sure that the National Assembly would exit police retirees from the CPS. But after that interaction, we became very worried,” Lawal stated.

He accused the IG of interfering in a matter that should solely be handled by the National Assembly, noting that other security agencies such as the Army, and Department of State Services had already been removed from the scheme.

“We are here to tell the lawmakers that we only know them as lawmakers. The Inspector General of Police is a civil servant, so he’s not a lawmaker. We see no reason why he should be interfering in the affairs of the National Assembly.

“The IG and other senior officers from the rank of AIG upwards are not under the CPS. Why is he encouraging us to remain under it while he and others are out? Let him answer this question for us,” he added.

Lawal further decried what he described as years of financial injustice under the CPS, claiming that retirees receive only 25% of their pension savings, while the remaining 75% is withheld by PENCOM and used for investments.

“The cheating is too much. PENCOM has killed many of us with this CPS. This lupsum is a disaster in the sense that no matter the amount of money you contributed while in service, the moment you retire, that money will be divided into 100%. Then out of that 100%, it’s only 25% that will be given to a retiree.

“While PENCOM holds the 75%, then they are using it to yield interests in millions of naira. But we that were the original owners of the money, Kobo is not added to us in our monthly income. We don’t want anything from PENCOM. We want to go.”

The retired officers urged the IG to withdraw from the process and allow the National Assembly to make the final decision on their exit from the pension scheme.

He (IG) should stop, back out and allow the National Assembly to do their work. It is them we trust.

“If the IG is good, he is the number 12th IG, all of them made us continue to remain under the CPS, at that meeting in Jabi, he confirmed that we are suffering, if the IG truly cares about us, he should have acted immediately. That is why we are here today—to demand justice,” Lawal stated.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

5 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

5 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.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.