The NAFDAC Head of Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Taskforce, Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, also said the agency would work to ensure that fake cosmetics and other counterfeit products were completely wiped out of the country.
News
We are dying! – Soar narrative of Pensioners’ ordeal
By Idibia Gabriel, Kaduna
Life for many pensioners in Nigeria has largely been full of disappointments. Struggles and worries which come from delays and botrlnecks of accessing their gratuities and pension entitlements have seen many falling into unsavoury conditons. Plights of elder citizens struggling to get their entitlements have occasioned narratives of illnesses and untimely death.
This narration is the lamentation of a 63-year old pensioner, who worked with the Kaduna Polytechnic (Kadpoly), Mr. Bala A. Zakka. He made some startling revelation on a number of vexing issues, including alleged 16 years unpaid arrears and balance of their gratuities.
Zakka, in an interview with our Kaduna correspondent also lamented that out of about 700 of them that retired from Kaduna Polytechnic under the reform pension, many have died awaiting in vain for the arrears and balance of their gratuities. He also alleged that the Polytechnic management collected cheques containing certain money for arrears of 24 months, but only paid them 15 months, and nothing is heard of the remaining balance of the nine months till date.
According to him, their colleagues in other Federal Government agencies, including National Eye Centre, collected same amount, and paid out all to the affected pensioners: Excerpts:
Tell us who are you, where you worked, your service years and your complaints?
My name is Bala O. Zakka. I’m 63-yrs-old. I started working in Kaduna Polytechnic 29th November, 1979 to April 2008. I had my last salary in May 2008. I retired in April 2008, under the new pension reform, earning our salaries on counts.
We earn salary on counts but we’re paid our gratuity on Grade Level (GL) instead of the counts. When they came for screening in 2011 with Pension Transition Arrangement and Directorate (PTAD), the Federal government agency handling payment of the pension, they screened us and confirmed in the form of data that the new salary structure is on counts and promised that they’re going to reflect it and pay us the differences of the gratuity.
We waited but nothing came and they came again and conducted another fresh last screening and said we should wait for the arrears, that they’ll pay us our actual differences and implement the counts on our pension. Up till that time and now, the implementation did not take place; they’ve not paid us the differences.
What are the differences?
The differences that i saw in one of the pension office in gazette was about over N400,000. Now, they said we should wait for the payment, that the differences will reflect, but till now nothing has been done. Up till December 2017, when the minister announced that our arrears will be paid and that there’s money for that, in the PTAD, and that everybody will be cleared even within that December, nothing has happened till now. They shifted it to July 2022 to pay, and they said the reason was because the minister re-scheduled it, but till now nothing has been heard again.
On the counts, can you expatiate?
As someone who retired on counts 8.15, I’m supposed to be collecting N66,000, monthly, as the way they give the data. But they slashed it to N56,000. There was 30per cent rise to N61,000. The increase is just N6,000, that’s what I’m earning now, N61,000. This affected all the categories of my colleagues. So, I’m pleading with them to do something for us. We’re stranded. And many of us have lost their lives. We’re still waiting and crying to see that they give us something.
Are you aware of any pensioner(s) who has been paid?
The Immigration, the Warders engaged lawyers at that time, and they were able to pay them their entitlements, with maybe only 6 months remaining.
At the last meeting they had with the national union comprising of army civilian, precisely on 28th – 29th July, this year, they promised to pay us. But there was disagreement between them because PTAD said they want to split the payment to three times. But the union said since it is not every pensioner that is affected, it should be paid at once. Since then, we didn’t hear anything again.
How about your usual monthly pension?
Our usual monthly pension on GL has been running uninterrupted, and we are commending them for that. We’re talking about the arrears and balance of our gratuity. They don’t delay army’s own payment because it is a separate account, but only the civilians are suffering the delay.
You also talked about certain amount of money sent to the Polytechnic authority as arrears, can you explain?
Again, in addition to that, there was certain amount of money sent to our management as arrears around December 2019, about 24 months arrears cheque. The management paid 15 months leaving nine months. Till date, we’ve not seen anything again.
The arrears and balance of gratuity does not affect civilians who retired on their own, only we the reform staff. For instance, while I collected gratuity of N2.3 million – N2.75 million, my colleagues before then collected N6 – N7 million, as gratuity.
How many of the retirees are affected or victims of this shortfall?
Well, the affected numbers of retired staff is 700 from Kadpoly but many have died awaiting the arrears of gratuity and left their family and loved ones suffering.
What do you want to say to the government?
I and my colleagues are appealing to the Federal Government to help and come to our aide. Many of us are dying. No security for farming now. To see the daily bread now is hard. Even though they’ve been trying in monthly payment, let them try more to assist us because it’ll help us to reduce the tension on us because of our responsibilities.
“Affected army representatives reluctantly ate heavy banquet lunch provided for them during the last meeting they had with PTAD on ground that they were not there for such balance diet when their colleagues are suffering. And they were not going to be there for them continuously to eat with their other retired pensioners. All they said they want is their money not eating food there,” Zakka stated.
Contacted, PTAD office in Kaduna staff said the matter is beyond their schedule and directed our correspondent to contact their headquarters in Abuja.
They, however, acknowledged notice of “I’m Alive Verification” being conducted on affected Kaduna Polytechnic pensioners in the State for N200.00 cost of data. Also in the same vain, these allegations were corroborated by the Polytechnic pensioners executive officials when contacted during investigation.
News
Invoke executive order for state, LG police, Afenifere tells Tinubu
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, on Saturday, urged President Bola Tinubu to invoke an Executive Order for the establishment of state and local government Police.
Afenifere, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi,in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also called for the erection of close-circuit television sets and deployment of modern technology for security purposes in strategic locations to end insecurity.
Ajayi said, “There are indications that Tinubu is desirous of putting an end to this deleterious menace. Towards the end of January this year, he approved the procurement of digital tracking tools to enhance the apprehension of bandits, terrorists and armed robbers.
“On Monday, April 22, this year, he used the occasion of addressing participants at the African Counter-Terrorism Summit which opened on that day in Abuja to assure everyone of his government’s readiness to ensure greater security. Unfortunately, recent happenings have not shown that the President’s desire in this respect is being worked upon.
“President Tinubu should get state and local government police off the ground immediately through the invocation of an Executive Order while the process of amending the Constitution continues.
“Close circuit television sets, deployment of modern technology for security purposes including drones must be effected immediately.”
He explained that the statement was motivated by the recent reports of banditry and kidnapping in Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Zamfara and Niger States, respectively which made a research organization declare Nigeria as one of the top nations where kidnap ranks highest globally.
Ajayi noted that Fulani herders and farmers’ clashes kept occurring in Osun, Ondo and Oyo State; Otu, Igbeti and Alaga in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State were the latest victims.
The Afenifere spokesperson also said, “In order to end insecurity, enhance people’s welfare and ensure the sustenance of Nigeria as one of the top investment destinations in Africa as desired by the government, there is the urgent need by the Federal Government and security agencies to be more innovative and decisive.”
He lamented that banditry, including armed robbery, kidnapping was still occurring on South-West roads such as Lagos-Ibadan, Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode; Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan; Ore-Ijebu Ode-Lagos, Ikirun-Osogbo-Ilesa; Lokoja-Abuja, Owo-Benin and Ibadan-Iseyin-Saki.
“Latest reports have it that on Monday, May 13 instant, eight cocoa farmers were kidnapped at Marindoti Cocoa Farmers’ settlement in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State. Three students of Millicent Secondary School in the same area on their way to write their Senior Secondary School Examination, were also kidnapped at the same time.
“A sum of N31 million was reportedly paid to ransom three people who were kidnapped at Longe village on Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road last week Sunday. On Thursday, May 16, one Seliat Adeniji (nee Raji) was kidnapped in her Ebedi home in Iseyin, Oyo State. Her guard was killed in the process.
“Hon Bello Hassan representing Zurmi/Shinkafi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives last Tuesday claimed that terrorists have sacked about 50 communities and abducted over 500 people in his area of Zamfara State as bandits overran Zurmi, the second most populous town in the state killing palace officers as well as policemen.”
To put a serious check on all these, the Afenifere spokesman said that there was an urgent need to dig deep into the roots of the menace and to be decisive in applying the necessary measures.
News
NAFDAC shuts cosmetic shops in Lagos, seizes counterfeit products
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has shut three shops and raided others during a clampdown on the sale of unregistered “Dr. Teal’s” brand of cosmetics in Lagos State.
The agency disclosed this in a post on its X handle on Saturday, stating that the action came after a complaint from the trademark holder.
The statement read, “NAFDAC has shut down three cosmetics shops and raided others, targeting the sale of unregistered ‘Dr. Teal’s’ brand cosmetics. This action follows a complaint from the trademark holder regarding potential counterfeit products.
“Two suspected shops along Excellent Line at the Trade Fair Complex were targeted, resulting in sealed shops and invitation letters issued to attendants.”
It added that another development unfolded at Okas Global Link Limited where NAFDAC confiscated over 200 cartons of various Dr. Teal’s products and other unregistered cosmetics, suspecting them to be the source of distribution.
A shop identified as Cubana Stores at Phil Hallmark Plaza was also reported to have been sealed for stocking and selling the moisturising body and bath products of the alleged unregistered Dr. Teal’s brand.
NAFDAC added that according to its regulations, shop owners found guilty of selling unregistered products face penalties of up to ₦5m fine.
It said shop owners were also being questioned as part of ongoing investigations.
In the statement, the agency emphasised the health risks associated with fake cosmetics, stating the potential dangers of using products containing harmful substances.
News
Traders, soldiers clash at Banex Plaza in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed intelligence officers to Banex – an electronics and telecommunications gadgets market, in Abuja following a conflict that ensued between soldiers and some traders on Saturday.
A viral video seen by our correspondent on X on Saturday showed a multitude of civilians overpowering some soldiers during a free-for-all fight at Banex.
The Defence Headquarters, and the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu could not be reached for comments as of press time.
Meanwhile, a trader who simply identified himself as Abdul, told our correspondent on Saturday that the conflict ensued over the sale of a mobile phone.
“There’s a problem at Banex now. Some soldiers came to complain about a phone, and during an argument with the traders, a fight ensued,” Abdul simply revealed.
When contacted over the development, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, Benett Igweh has deployed officers of the FCT Intelligence Response Team to the scene of the incident.
“The CP has deployed the Intelligence Response Team to the scene,” Adeh confirmed.
-
Finance4 months ago
Court orders Sen. Victor Umeh to repay N136m bank debt to AMCON
-
Abuja Update3 months ago
UNDP, FG partnership needed to achieve inclusion, equity- Minister
-
Abuja Update2 months ago
Banks drive stock market performance with N147bn gain
-
capital market2 years ago
Rt.briscoe, FBNH, Others halts negative performance of stock market
-
Submission Guidelines4 months ago
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: POETRY COLUMN-NND
-
Health1 month ago
Capacity training will reduce migration of health workers- NPHCDA
-
Business4 weeks ago
Tingo Group unveils Tingo Electric, Tingo Cola drink at Lagos launch
-
News5 months ago
Oil thieves sponsoring malicious media campaign against Navy – Spokesman