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Ondo’ll offset accumulated gratuities, pension from January – Akeredolu

It was cheering news for retired workers and pensioners in Ondo State yesterday as the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has promised that the state will start clearing accumulated gratuities of retired workers and the remaining arrears of pension as from January, next year.

Akeredolu stated this in Akure while addressing the state retirees on the occasion of National Pensioners’ Day celebration with theme: “Pension Without Tension, Without Tears: A Task That Must Be Accomplished By The Union In The Years Ahead”.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Mr Alaba Isijola, the governor said necessary machineries were being put in place to ensure that pensioners in the state receive their pension and gratuities regularly.

Majority of retired workers since 2011 are yet to collect their gratuities while local government pensioners are also being owed three months pension and state pensioners are being owed one month pension.

Akeredolu said, “We inherited seven months pension arrears from the previous administration, but as at today, we have cleared almost everything. On the gratuities, the government has mapped out strategies of paying affected pensioners as from January (2019). So rest assured that Mr Governor will not promise what he cannot do. His love for workers and our fathers- retirees is unequalled”.
The governor said that welfare of pensioners was very paramount to his administration, hence the decision to approve three of the requests of the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) when its leadership visited him recently.
In an address, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Chief Raphael Adetuwo called on President Muhammadu Buhari and state governors to implement a section of the 1999 constitution that compels upward review of their pension to enable them cope with the economic reality in the country.

Adetuwo noted that continuous violation of Section 173 subsection 3 and 210 (3) of the Constitution by government had exposed many retirees to untold hardship as some of them collect ridiculous pension like two to five thousand naira monthly.

He said, “Besides, it is inhumane that there are still some pensioners whose monthly pension is less than N5, 000 while many receive over N500, 000 monthly”.

Adetuwo lamented that the thirty percent pension increase approved in 2014 was yet to be implemented by both the federal and state governments.

The NUP Chairman who commended Governor Akeredolu for paying their pension regularly since he assumed office, urged him to offset accumulated gratuities of many pensioners and harmonise the discrepancies in the monthly pension of retirees.

“Non-harmonisation of pension is another painful issue to pensioners. A grade one principal of a school who retired in 1986 received N40,000 per month while his counterpart who retired in 2013 received N250,000 monthly”.

“It is our belief that if there is a minimum wage, there must also be a minimum pension and people who are retired on the same post and the same grade level ought to be earning the same monthly pension, no matter the number of years separating their time or date of retirement”, the pensioners’ chairman said.

Adetuwo joined the call for the creation of Ministry of Pension Affairs by the Federal Government to resolve various challenges of the senior citizens with more pragmatic approaches nationwide.

Ondo’ll offset accumulated gratuities, pension from January – Akeredolu

It was cheering news for retired workers and pensioners in Ondo State yesterday as the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has promised that the state will start clearing accumulated gratuities of retired workers and the remaining arrears of pension as from January, next year.

Akeredolu stated this in Akure while addressing the state retirees on the occasion of National Pensioners’ Day celebration with theme: “Pension Without Tension, Without Tears: A Task That Must Be Accomplished By The Union In The Years Ahead”.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Mr Alaba Isijola, the governor said necessary machineries were being put in place to ensure that pensioners in the state receive their pension and gratuities regularly.

Majority of retired workers since 2011 are yet to collect their gratuities while local government pensioners are also being owed three months pension and state pensioners are being owed one month pension.

Akeredolu said, “We inherited seven months pension arrears from the previous administration, but as at today, we have cleared almost everything. On the gratuities, the government has mapped out strategies of paying affected pensioners as from January (2019). So rest assured that Mr Governor will not promise what he cannot do. His love for workers and our fathers- retirees is unequalled”.
The governor said that welfare of pensioners was very paramount to his administration, hence the decision to approve three of the requests of the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) when its leadership visited him recently.
In an address, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Chief Raphael Adetuwo called on President Muhammadu Buhari and state governors to implement a section of the 1999 constitution that compels upward review of their pension to enable them cope with the economic reality in the country.

Adetuwo noted that continuous violation of Section 173 subsection 3 and 210 (3) of the Constitution by government had exposed many retirees to untold hardship as some of them collect ridiculous pension like two to five thousand naira monthly.

He said, “Besides, it is inhumane that there are still some pensioners whose monthly pension is less than N5, 000 while many receive over N500, 000 monthly”.

Adetuwo lamented that the thirty percent pension increase approved in 2014 was yet to be implemented by both the federal and state governments.

The NUP Chairman who commended Governor Akeredolu for paying their pension regularly since he assumed office, urged him to offset accumulated gratuities of many pensioners and harmonise the discrepancies in the monthly pension of retirees.

“Non-harmonisation of pension is another painful issue to pensioners. A grade one principal of a school who retired in 1986 received N40,000 per month while his counterpart who retired in 2013 received N250,000 monthly”.

“It is our belief that if there is a minimum wage, there must also be a minimum pension and people who are retired on the same post and the same grade level ought to be earning the same monthly pension, no matter the number of years separating their time or date of retirement”, the pensioners’ chairman said.

Adetuwo joined the call for the creation of Ministry of Pension Affairs by the Federal Government to resolve various challenges of the senior citizens with more pragmatic approaches nationwide.

Ondo State Male Volleyball Team Beat Plateau, Qualify For Semi Finals

The chances of Ondo State winning another gold medal at the National Sports Festival were boosted today by the Male Volley Team, which beat their Plateau State counterparts.

The Ondo State boys won the game by 3-1 sets.

Plateau won the first set by 25-20 points.

The next three sets ended 25-18, 25-17 and 25-15 in favour of the Ondo Male team to book their place in the semi final stage.
http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/177b9b2b-8d27-45f5-9533-a85a179a65bc

The Nigerian Army has re-committed its commitment to defend human dignity and advance the cause of freedom of Nigerians throughout the country.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai made the pledge on Monday in a message to mark the 2018 “International Human Rights Day.”

NAN reports that the day is observed every year on Dec. 1o.

Buratai emphasised that the army firmly believe that the promotion and protection of human rights were “essential component of military operations.”

He, however, noted with regret the situation in some areas in the North Eastern States of of the country, “where heinous acts of terrorism continue to be perpetuated by Boko Haram terrorists.”

“We firmly embrace the idea and the message behind the International Human Rights Day and we are committed to doing our part to spread awareness and support for human rights every day.”

“On this day, I recommit the Nigerian Army to supporting the brave officers, men and women who are working daily to defend human dignity and advance the cause of freedom of Nigerians across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.”

While he paid tribute to the officers and men, who had paid the supreme sacrifice in the pursuit of human rights for people in the North East, he said the “resurgent acts of terrorism challenges the rights that we celebrate today.”

He, however, said he believe that freedom, including the right to live without fear would triumph eventually over terrorism, adding that the army remain committed to working toward that end.

The army chief appreciated the support and partnerships from local and International Non-Government Organisations in the effort to defend human dignity.

“I specifically note the support of the National Human Rights Commission.

“Its human rights training programme for military personnel and its Nigerian Military Human Rights Dialogue initiative have largely enhanced the human rights awareness and education of our personnel.

“I am also thankful for our partnerships with the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Red Cross and Crescent as well as Nigerian Bar Association,” he said.

NAN reports that the day commemorates that day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The formal inception of Human Rights Day dates from 1950, after the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V) inviting all States and interested organizations to adopt 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.

When the General Assembly adopted the Declaration, with 48 states in favour and eight abstentions, it was proclaimed as a “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations”, towards which individuals and societies should “strive backyard progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance”. (NAN).
https://citadelng.com/human-rights-day-army-pledges-commitment-to-defend-human-dignity/

President Buhari participates at the African Youth Congress against Corruption Summit in Abuja on 9th Dec 2018

Anti Corruption 1: President Buhari with L-R: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rep. of President of Rwanda Mr Anastase Murekezi, AU commissioner for Political Affairs Mrs Minata Samate Cessouma, Rep. of United Nations office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as he participated at the African Youth Congress against Corruption Summit in Abuja on 9th Dec 2018

Anti Corruption 6: President Buhari with Rep. of President of Rwanda Mr Anastase Murekezi as he participated at the African Youth Congress against Corruption Summit in Abuja on 9th Dec 2018

Akeredolu Seeks Igbo Support For Development

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has charged members of the Igbo Community in the state to always show commitment to the Ondo project.

Speaking at the 2018 Igbo day celebration in Akure, the Governor who congratulated the people on the occasion described them as people with rich vein of skills and experience who always contribute to the socioeconomic growth of the society and environment.

" Let me start by apologising for the inability of the First Lady to be physically present, she sends her warmest regards. The Fowoso activities in the past few days took its toil on her and that is why she is unavoidability absent".

"I want to congratulate you on this special occasion. No doubt, your skills and experience have greatly contributed to the socioeconomic growth of the state and the country at large, it is my hope that you will not red on your oars".

Governor Akeredolu who promised to solve some of the challenges facing the people especially in the area of construction of modern hall and civic centre, charged them to show more commitment to the ondo project.

" I have listened to the speech of the president and I can assure you that we shall do our best to solve some of the challenges facing you. I want to urge you to key into the ondo project by supporting various activities of government as no stone would be left unturned to transform the state".

Hackathon Final Day

27 Teams are prepared to give their all in today's hackathon final. The categories include Agricultural accessibility, Business linkage, Renewable and Clean energy and Education. Teams are given 3 minutes each to pitch their ideas. The teams are judged based on
Use of Technology
Relevance of solution
Teams competence
Potential social impact
Scalability
Innovation technology
Relevance of Policy
Pitch Quality.

The Jury consists of
Babajide Akeredolu
Prof. Ayo Ajayi
Malaika Toyo
Wale Adegoke

@make_it_africa @makeITAfrica
@ngrinnovation
#EmergeOndo
#developOndo
#ION
#TheCitadelTower

#FOWOSOsummit2018

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi currently addressing the participants at 1st FOWOSO summit holding @ Arcade, Near the DOME, Igbatoro Road, Akure.

The SSA to the governor on Agriculture, Pastor Akin Olotun shares his knowledge and opinions at the EmergeOndo introduction forum. "There can't be economy without ecology. Food security is not an alternative, it is an imperative".

#developondo
#emergeondo
#ngrinnovation
#thecitadeltowers

The Forum For Wives of Ondo State Officials, FOWOSO, will today continue their empowerment programmes @ the grand finale of the 2-day #FOWOSOsummit2018, as women and youths from the 18 LGA of the state will be empowered with Hair dryers, sewing machines, grinding machines etc.

Miss Chimere, a representative of the GIZ subsidiary MakeIT just left the stage after explaining in full detail what the company does and what they still want to do.

MakeIT is a company that links startups that would otherwise be working in silos with larger local companies in order to expand their business opportunities.

Alongside their very successful and extensive 9-month accelerator program, they offer the following services.
- mentorship
- investor guides
- exposure journeys

If you're still looking for a reason to join us, this is it.
#developondo
#emergeondo
#ngrinnovation

The stage is set and we are ready to embrace and empower the next set of innovators in Ondo state.

The OndoEmerge Hackathon is about to kick off and you do NOT want to miss it.
You can still join us at Curators Hub, Ilesa-Owo road, Beside A&T Hotels Akure.

@make_it_africa @makeITAfrica @ngrinnovation
#EmergeOndo
#developOndo
#ION

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to ensure appropriate funding for the Nigeria Armed Forces to enhance their capacity and professionalism.

Buhari made the promise at the maiden edition of the Nigerian Air Force International Air Power Seminar in Abuja.

The theme of the seminar is “Air Power in Irregular Warfare: A Framework for Understanding and Responding.’’

The president said government would accord priority to develop the capacity of the armed forces and other security agencies.

“We are committed to enhancing the welfare of all service personnel to enable them give their utmost in their service to the nation.

“We are also committed to ensuring that our armed forces are appropriately trained and equipped to deal with contemporary challenges of a globalised world, of which insurgency and terrorism have become of greatest concern.

“We will continue to support the drive to modernise the armed forces through budgetary enhanced allocation in their quest to meet the constitutional demands of protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Buhari said.

He said the seminar was timely as the military had been engaged in counter insurgency operations in the North East.

On the economy, Buhari said his administration was committed to diversifying the country’s economy.

He commended the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar for the initiative to hold the air power seminar. (NAN)

How true is this