By Naomi Sharang

Stakeholders in Abuja, on Friday, disagreed over the proposed establishment of Police Pension Board.

The stakeholders’ position was made known during a public hearing, organised by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, and chaired by Sen. Haliru Jika.

The bills are “Police Pension Board (Establishment) Bill, 2022, and the “Nigeria Special Forces (Establishment) Bill, 2022.

In his submission, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Baba, said that the police require a distinct board on its own for management and administration of pensions of retired police personnel in the mode of the Military Pension Board.

Baba was represented by Deputy Inspector-General Sanusi Lemu.

He said: “The Police as clearly stated by the title of the bill “Police Pension Board Establishment Bill 2022”, deserves to have a separate body for management and administration of pensions of its retirees.

“Exiting the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), being run and managed by Pension Commission (PenCom), is long overdue for the police on account of poor services being subjected to.

“The proposed board will boost the morale of police personnel to dispassionately discharge their duties of fighting crimes,” he said.

And kicking against the proposed board, Chief Executive Officer of Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria, Mr Oguche Agudah, urged the committee not to legislate liabilities.

He said that since the proposed body would be solely funded by budgetary allocations, avoidable burden would be placed on the Federal Government currently battling with N10.7 trillion budget deficit in 2023 fiscal year.

“We cannot in good faith, legislate liabilities,” he said.

President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, in his presentation, called for prompt payment of gratuities of retired police personnel or those who died in active service.

He said that the proposed board was well envisioned but the problem is sustainability as regards funding, adding that “the mistake of moving from known to unknown should not be made.”

Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Jika, said that the police deserved to be given the type of special treatment being enjoyed by the military with a special pension board.

He, however, assured the police that given the importance of the bill, the committee would before the expiration of the ninth assembly, pass the bill.

“I assure you that before the expiration of this assembly, we will pass and transmit the bill to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.”

Meanwhile, the stakeholders overwhelmingly supported the proposed bill for the establishment of Nigeria Police Special Force Academy, sponsored by Sen. Mohammed Ndume (APC-Borno). (NAN)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Femi Ogunshola

Stakeholders on Thursday tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recruit locals as ad hoc staff for 2023 general election, instead of non-residents of the state.

The stakeholders said this at the European Union (EU) Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme Publication series 2 seminar in Abuja.

“INEC should recruit locals as ad hoc staff electoral officers instead of non-residents of the state.

“The usual norm of deploying National Youth Service Corps members may portend more danger in the 2023 election. 

It is therefore, recommended that INEC should recruit staff who will use its local offices from the communities, for instance in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger and Sokoto, communities have been in dialogue with armed groups.

“These individuals will be better placed to work out a plan or agreement to enable their participation in the general election.

 This should not supersede the need to deploy technical staff to LGA offices who can train the election officers ahead of time,” the stakeholders said.

They urged INEC to engage with social media platforms and government agencies toward developing a code of conduct for engagements between the platforms and INEC.

“INEC should engage with social media platforms and government agencies with the aim of developing a code of conduct for engagements between the platforms and INEC.

“The commission may also propose a pledge between political parties on the use of the social media in election.

“INEC should device a plan with alternatives to move election materials promptly and safely to and from polling units in a way that inspires trust in the electoral process.”(NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Naomi Sharang

Seyi Tinubu, son of the APC, Bola Tinubu on Thursday, visited Alhaji Abdullahi Bodejo, National President, Miyetti-Allah Kautal Hore Association.

The visit, in company of members of City Boy Youth Movement (CBYM), a Tinubu/Shettima support group, was to seek the association’s support for the Presidential bid of Tinubu.

Tinubu also called on the youth to vote for the APC during the Feb. 25 and March 11 general elections for renewed hope for Nigeria.

He said: ” Let us all go and collect our PVCs before the deadline and vote APC.

“A vote for Tinubu/Shettima will carry the youth along as a priority as stated in their manifesto.”

Tinubu also stated his unreserved gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for endorsing his dad, the APC Presidential candidate and his running mate Kashim Shettima.

He further said that the youth wing of the APC/City Boy Youth Movement would always work with the Fulanis in ensuring that the APC won the general election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu was confered with the chieftancy title of “Sokajo Fulbe” (the Ambassador of the Fulani Youth).

Leader of the youth movement, Mr Favour Abayomi who also canvased the support of Miyetti-Allah, described Tinubu and Shettima as the best candidates for the presidency.

In his response, Bodejo said that the association’s decision to endorse and support the candidacy of Tinubu/Shetima, was due to the group’s community engagement with stakeholders and community leaders across the country.

He urged the group to remain focused to ensure victory of the APC during the polls.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Stephen Adeleye

All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Kogi Central Senatorial district, Malam Abubakar Ohere, has promised to ensure quality representation if elected.

He assured at a campaign rally in Ajaokuta, Kogi, that he would defend the rights of the people in the Senate if he emerged victorious.

Ohere gave similar assurances when Prince Suleiman Onyekehi, Deputy Director of Humanitarian and Social Services (North Central) of Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, hosted him.

The Ohere campaign train earlier paid courtesy visits to traditional rulers including the Ohi of Ajaokuta, Alhaji Musa Achuja; the Adogu of Eganyi, Alhaji Mohammed Adambe; and the Ovanebira of Eganyi, Malam Idris Isiaka.

Ohere appreciated the traditional rulers and APC faithful for their show of love as they turned out en-masse to receive him in Ajaokuta.

He highlighted the numerous achievements of Gov. Yahaya Bello’s APC-led administration in Ajaokuta such as the newly-built general hospital, rural electrification and provision of employment.

He listed Bello’s other achievements to include the grading and upgrading of traditional rulers, women and youths empowerment in agriculture, trades, and skills acquisition among others.

Ohere promised to build more on Gov. Bello’s legacies through quality legislative representation that would enhance the standard of living and the well-being of the people of Kogi Central.

He solicited the support of the people of Ajaokuta and the entire Kogi Central senatorial district who he enjoined to vote massively for him and for all APC candidates at the 2023 general elections.

Also addressing the rally, Onyekehi assured the people of Ajaokuta that APC-led administration would do more for them, and also appreciated Gov. Bello for his laudable achievements in Ajaokuta Local Government Area.

On their part, Malam Abdulraheem Egidi and Malam Jibril Abu, APC candidates for Ajaokuta House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats respectively, promised quality and passionate representation if elected.

Traditional rulers present, in their separate remarks, appreciated Gov. Bello for his love for Ajaokuta people, and reaffirmed their support for his administration.

The Ohi of Ajaokuta, also Chairman of Ajaokuta Traditional Council, assured the candidates of Ajaokuta’s continuous support for Gov. Bello, stressing that the governor meant well for the community. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem