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By Ramatu Garba

Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has inaugurated the payment of N6billion gratuity and death benefits to 3,313 pensioners in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the official inauguration ceremony of the 4th Tranche payment to some categories of retirees from 2020 to 2023 was held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.

NAN also reports that the Governor presented a dummy cheque of N4.5 billion to the Chairman of the Pension Board, Alhaji Habu Fagge, for the benefits of the senior citizens.

Yusuf reiterated the commitment of his government to resolving the years of hardship faced by the retirees and their families as well enhancing the welfare of civil servants in the state.

He said the payment covered different batches of beneficiaries, including the backlog accumulated over the years, which had subjected many retirees and their families to untold hardship.

Yusuf recalled that his administration had earlier released N6billion to the first batch of 4,915 beneficiaries and another N5billion to the second batch of 1,722 retirees.

The governor further revealed that an additional 1,579 beneficiaries received payments amounting to N5billion on Jan.9,

“Today, this government is releasing the sum of N6billion for the payment of death benefits and gratuities to retirees within the range of N2.5 million and below from the year 2020 to 2023,” he said.

Yusuf said with the latest release, the total amount paid so far stood at N22 billion, adding that another N5billion had already been set aside for the next batch for further payments of retirees by August.

“We shall settle all outstanding pension benefits to the tune of over N48 billion to alleviate the sufferings of our senior citizens,” he said.

The governor commended the management and staff of the Pension Board, as well as the EFCC and ICPC, for their doggedness, investigation and reportage on the issue of the 324 houses built during the previous administration as part of pension investments.

He, however, warned that the government would not condone any form of underhand dealings, stressing that anyone found wanting making dubious arrangements or favouritism would be dealt with accordingly.

Yusuf urged the pensioners to remain patient, assuring them that all their entitlements would be cleared.

The Executive Chairman, Kano State Pension Trustee Fund, Alhaji Habu Fagge, said the board earlier had a backlog of N48billion from previous administration, out of which the present administration has paid the total sum of N22billion.

Also speaking, the National President, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Mr Godwin Abumisi, commended the governor for his giant and remarkable strides in paying retirees their gratuity and death benefits.

Abumisi named Yusuf a ‘Star Performance Governor’.

The Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim, who spoke on behalf of the Emirs of Kano, Rano, and Karaye, commended the giant strides of the governor, especially toward retirees as well as Kano residents.

Hajiya Amina Muhammad, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, applauded the kind gesture of the governor, saying it would go a long way in alleviating their sufferings. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and sunshine over the country from Friday to Sunday.

NiMet’s weather outlook released in Abuja envisaged thunderstorms in the northern region on Friday.

It predicted light to moderate rains during the morning hours over parts of Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa and Bauchi States, while the remaining parts of the region would be sunny with patches of cloud.

According to it, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected during the afternoon or evening hours.

“In the central region, sunny skies with patches of cloud are expected over this region during the morning hours.

“While thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Niger and Plateau States during the afternoon and evening,” it said.

The agency predicted cloudy skies over the southern region with prospects of morning light rains over parts of Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

It anticipated moderate rains over most parts of the region later in the day.

NiMet predicted sunny skies in the northern region on Saturday with patches of clouds during the morning hours.

It envisaged isolated thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Jigawa, Bauchi, Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, Yobe and Kaduna States.

According to it, thunderstorms with moderate rain are expected during the afternoon or evening hours over parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Borno, Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Zamfara and Kaduna States.

“On the central region, early morning thunderstorms with light rains are anticipated over parts of Niger and Plateau States.

“Afternoon or evening thunderstorms with moderate to heavy rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Benue, and Plateau States.

‘“Cloudy skies are expected over the southern region with chances of morning rain over parts of Abia, Ebonyi, Ogun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa States,” it said.

It envisaged moderate to heavy rains over the region during the afternoon or evening periods.

NiMet predicted thunderstorms for Sunday in the northern region and envisaged moderate rains during the morning hours over parts of Taraba, Borno, Jigawa, Yobe, Kano, Katsina and Kaduna States.

It said that the remaining parts of the region would be sunny with patches of cloud.

It added that thunderstorms with moderate rains would be expected during the afternoon or evening hours over parts of Kebbi, Zamfara, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Borno and Yobe States.

According to it, cloudy skies are anticipated over the central region during the morning hours with chances of thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger and Plateau States.

It envisaged light to moderate rains over parts of Benue, the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa and Plateau States later in the day.

NiMet anticipated morning rains over parts of Ondo, Edo, Ogun, Cross River, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom during the morning hours in the southern region with the rest of the day being cloudy.

It added that moderate to heavy rains would be expected over the southern region during the afternoon or evening periods.

It urged the public to take extra care as strong winds might precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms would likely occur.

“Ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collision.

“Driving under heavy rain should be avoided. Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets.

“Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees,’’ it said.

It advised the airline operators to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

The agency advised the public to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet by visiting its website www.nimet.gov.ng (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Jane-Frances Oraka

By Ibrahim Bello

UNICEF has appealed to the Kebbi House of Assembly to set up a committee on Child Protection Act to facilitate the inclusion of allowance for children in the state.

The UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, in-charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, Mr Micheal Juma, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the House in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.

According to Juma, UNICEF focuses on advancing the Child Rights Act.

He said that within the framework, there is pending Child Protection Act in the state, which was supposed to have been sent to the Executive for approval.

“The UNICEF is seeking your support in terms of rallying around members of the Assembly and the Executive to endorse the Child Protection Act to become a law for the interest of children in Kebbi,” he said.

On Child Benefit Allowance, Juma pleaded with the Assembly that its acceptance would enhance inclusive social development for children from poor local government areas of the state.

“We want to look at the support we can give to the children in order for them to access education, healthcare, sanitation, nutrition and safe drinking water in the state,” the officer said.

He also spoke on the Social Protection Act, saying that the multidimensional poverty in Kebbi was high compared to other states in the country.

Juma said that UNICEF would support the state to ensure the most deprived women and children had social protection development.

Responding, the Speaker, Alhaji Muhammad Usman-Zuru, appreciated UNICEF’s interventions in various sectors of social and economic development in the state.

Usman-Zuru reiterated the commitment of the Assembly to supporting the agency in actualising its mandates and desired objectives.

“We will sit down at the executive session to look at the possibility of Child Benefit Allowance, to see how we can consider the establishment of a committee for that purpose.

“For the Child Rights Act, we are on top of it, to forward the bill to the executive in order to deliberate extensively on it,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bukola Adetoye/Sam Oditah

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, says the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will unveil an ambitious 20-year strategic blueprint for traffic management in the state.

Giwa said this at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos in commemoration of LASTMA’s 25th anniversary.

According to Giwa, the blueprint seeks to recalibrate LASTMA’s systems in anticipation of intensifying urbanisation and future vehicular demands.

He said the conference with the theme: “Enhancing Traffic Efficiency and Safety on Lagos Roads: Challenges, Opportunities and Innovations,” underscores the strategic alignment with smart governance, participatory policymaking, and digital innovation.

“As we commemorate this historic milestone, let me reaffirm that LASTMA remains irrevocably committed to its mandate: fostering safer roads, enforcing lawful conducts and elevating the commuting experience in Lagos.

“Traffic management, as we continue to stress, is not an adversarial endeavour—it is a shared civic enterprise requiring the collective participation of government, citizens, and the private sectors.

He said the epochal occasion would serve as an opportunity for solemn retrospection, thoughtful acknowledgement of institutional milestones, and a renewed affirmation of unwavering commitment to public service excellence in the ever-evolving terrain of traffic management.

He highlighted the most salient achievements in the past 25 years of LASTMA’s existence to include digital transformation and technological innovation, capacity enhancement and professional development, excellence in emergency response and incident management.

Others include public enlightenment and advocacy engagement, inter-agency synergy and regulatory harmonisation and infrastructure expansion and operational visibility.

He noted that from inception, LASTMA had metamorphosed into a formidable force within the ecosystem of urban transportation, improving commuting time, fostering road safety, enhancing enforcement protocols, and championing transportation reforms.

He attributed LASTMA’s achievements to astute leadership and institutional foresight of those who had stewarded the agency over the years.

He said LASTMA, conceived in the year 2000, had grown into a formidable force with over 4,000 dedicated operatives strategically deployed across Lagos to ensure traffic flow, dislodge congestion, respond to emergencies, and enforce extant road traffic laws.

“I assert with conviction that LASTMA is no longer merely an intervention agency, it is a reference model for traffic management, emulated across Nigeria and studied internationally,” he said.

Giwa said the forthcoming second Lagos Traffic Conference, scheduled for July 15 at Eko Hotels and Suites, would constitute the intellectual fulcrum of the anniversary celebration.

“This high-level convocation will assemble a constellation of policymakers, transport technocrats, academics, development experts, and civic leaders—both domestic and international—to interrogate prevailing mobility challenges and recreate pragmatic, forward-thinking solutions.

“We will celebrate this moment not only as a triumph of the past but as a clarion call to greater responsibility in the future. May the road ahead be one of vision, vigilance, and veritable progress,” he said.

Also speaking, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, reassured Lagos residents, especially motorists of more vibrant, resourceful and service oriented organisation moving forward.

“Part of what we are going to project at the celebration of the anniversary is looking into the future, to project traffic management in the next two decades.

“In the next two years, we will ensure that we fully embrace technology for informed decision and planning,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma