Headline

‘We Face Death On Daily Basis Yet Receive N5,000 Monthly’ – Ogun Pensioners Cry Out

Published

4 years ago

December 13, 2021

Members of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), in Ogun State, have called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to implement the Consequential Adjustment in Pensions of retirees as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari under the benefits scheme since April 18, 2019.

The pensioners say avoidable deaths are being recorded among retirees daily because of their poor pension allowances, alleging that some pensioners still earn as low as N5,000 monthly, a paltry sum, not enough to feed them.

Speaking on Monday at an event marking the 2021 Pensions Day at the NUP secretariat, Waheed Oloyede, asked Gov Abiodun to increase to N1 billion monthly, the monies released to offset unpaid gratuities.

This, Oloyede said, would “reduce the anxiety of the expectant pensioners at the possibility of collecting the money before death comes knocking.

He, however, said the union appreciates the government for the release of quarterly payments throughout the year 2021.”

Oloyede further requested the implementation of the provisions of the Federal Government Circular on 33.4% increase in pension, as issued in 2010.

“The meagre pension of Five Thousand Naira (N5,000.00) minimum pension being paid is grossly inadequate to meet with the present economic demands.

“We again request for the refund of the unremitted Contributory Pension Deductions to retirees. These had accrued to over 150 months of unremitted deductions to the various PFAs.

“We finally make a request for the resuscitation of the suspended Bureau of State Pensions Committee and the Bureau of Local Government Pensions by the last administration. These are legal committees backed up by the Federal and State Laws,” he said.

The pensioners maintained that “many of our members are presently handicapped and incapacitated with different health challenges requiring immediate medical attention that will gulp much money and the children that could have been of valuable assistance are not gainfully employed.

“Feeding to many of us is becoming elusive as the meagre pension received cannot meet with the ever-soaring inflationary trend.

“Avoidable deaths are recorded on our members on a daily basis. Your Excellency, we passionately plead that you kindly ensure that our demands be met. Our amiable Governor, once again, we express profound gratitude for the opportunity granted us at a meeting with you. We are of the firm belief that our requests will be favourably attended to.”

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.