Connect with us

News

Retired Police Officer Laments N40,000 Pension After 35-Year Service

Published

on

Esther Marcus, a woman who claims to be a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police from the Nigeria Police Force, has shared her experience of being underpaid after 35 years of service.

In the now-viral video, Marcus, who claimed to have joined the force before clocking 16 years, disclosed that after retiring in 2018, she received N1.7 million as her gratuity and was subsequently placed on a monthly pension of N40,000

Voicing her frustration over what she called the “dirty contributory pension scheme,” she said, “My name is Esther Marcus, a retired DSP of the Nigerian Police Force. I retired on November 1, 2018. I just want to use myself as a case study. It’s applicable to every other police officer under this dirty contributory pension scheme.

“After serving for 35 years, though I joined the Nigeria Police Force at a very young age, I escorted a friend; unfortunately, she was not selected, but I was chosen because I was tall, even though I was not yet 16 when I joined the Nigeria Police Force.

And when I retired in 2018, I waited for over a year before I was given N1.7 million… after 35 years. Then, after waiting for another three months, they started paying me N40,000 as my monthly pension after giving me N1.7 million after serving for 35 years. And that applies to every other policeman and policewoman who retired under this dirty scheme called the contributory pension scheme. That’s what we’ve been going through.”

According to her, the Federal Government’s responses to their pleas have been largely ignored, despite multiple public hearings on the issue.

Advert

Marcus added, “This struggle has been ongoing for over 10 years now because when I retired in 2018, there was a police retirees’ meeting. They started it in 2017 or thereabouts, and all our cries to the Federal Government have been met with deaf ears. It’s not an insult, but that’s the truth.

“They are aware of what we’re going through. They’ve held about three or four public hearings on this case. But when the Army was retiring, the DSS and other paramilitary forces — there was nothing like a public hearing.”

Marcus also highlighted what she saw as inequality within the police force, claiming that senior officers like the Assistant Inspectors General (AIGs), Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), and the Inspector General (IG) have been exempted from this pension scheme.

“The AIGs, DIGs, and IGs have exempted themselves from this dirty contributory pension scheme. They only left the Commissioners of Police downwards; they are the ones suffering it,” she said.

“The president cannot say he hasn’t heard this issue. He knows what is happening,” she added.

Marcus, determined to continue the fight for justice, vowed that the retired police officers would not stop advocating for their rights, saying, “Let me tell you, we will never stop fighting because even those coming behind us… you cannot just see pure injustice and not fight against it. It’s not possible.”

“How do you expect me to survive on N40,000? That’s for me as a DSP. We have two-star officers, and one-star officers, who are receiving N28,000. And you want them to survive on this? What offence did the police commit to deserve this ill-treatment?” she questioned.

We will not stop fighting,” she affirmed. “What we are planning now is to go and occupy their National Assembly and call CNN to cover the whole programme.”

She added that anyone opposing this reform is akin to a vulture, waiting for the vulnerable to perish.

“Anyone who is against us will not escape from this evil bondage,” she said. “That person, that man, that group who doesn’t want the police to be exempted from this evil— they are vultures because a vulture only waits for its victim to die, then it comes to feed. And that’s what’s been happening.”

Marcus further expressed her frustration, stating that it is unrealistic to expect police officers to stop engaging in corrupt practices when they know retirement will bring them into such financial circumstances.

She said, “You want the police, knowing fully well that when they retire, they are going into hell; you want them to stop corruption? They will continue collecting. They will continue extorting. They will continue enriching themselves by whatever means they can.”

News

Dependable political ally’ — Tinubu celebrates Abdulmumin Jibrin at 50

Published

on

 

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Abdulmumin Jibrin, the member representing the Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency in the house of representatives, on his 50th birthday.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Tinubu described Jibrin as a dependable political ally and commended his intellectual rigour, entrepreneurial drive and commitment to public service.

The president praised Jibrin’s pursuit of knowledge, noting that his academic background at the University of Abuja, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, SBS Swiss Business School in Switzerland, Bayero University, Kano, and other institutions has shaped his approach to leadership and public service.

Jibrin holds two PhDs in international relations and economics, as well as an MBA from Bayero University. He also attended executive education programmes at Harvard Business School, Oxford and London Business Schools, and INSEAD in France.

Advert

Tinubu also acknowledged Jibrin’s record in public service, including his leadership of the house committees on finance, appropriations, land transport, foreign affairs, and housing and habitat.

According to the president, the lawmaker has contributed to debates and policies on public finance, fiscal policy, infrastructure and housing.

Jibrin also served as executive director at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

“Abdulmumin Jibrin represents a generation of Nigerians whose pursuit of knowledge, enterprise, and public service has been driven by a desire to make a difference,” the president said

His journey from scholarship and business into national politics reflects intellectual curiosity, resilience, and a deep commitment to Nigeria.
“At 50, he has much to celebrate, but I am confident that his most consequential contributions to our nation are still ahead.”

The president wished Jibrin renewed strength, good health, wisdom and fulfilment as he marked the milestone.

He also urged him to continue using his experience and knowledge to mentor younger Nigerians, strengthen democratic institutions and contribute to the development of Kano state and Nigeria.

Jibrin rejoined the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2025 after he was expelled from the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP).

Continue Reading

News

Ibrahim Little Condemns Attack on Journalists, Calls for Government Commitment to Ending Thuggery

Published

on

 

The gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Ibrahim Ali Amin Little, has condemned the recent attack on journalists covering the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Saturday

Little, in a statement signed by his Executive Assistant, Adnan Mukhtar, described the attack as unfortunate and unacceptable, calling on security agencies to demonstrate greater commitment to ending political thuggery in the state.

“Politicians are guilty of recruiting and using thugs during political rallies, and I believe this is absolutely wrong. Such actions contribute to the destruction of the future of our young people by exposing them to immoral and criminal activities.

Advert

“It is important that we tell ourselves the truth. A government that claims to be fighting thuggery, phone snatching and drug abuse should not be seen sponsoring or encouraging thugs to attend political rallies. This is unfortunate, unacceptable and uncalled for.

“Political rallies should be platforms for presenting ideas, engaging citizens and seeking their support, rather than breeding grounds for violence and criminality.”

Little extended his sympathy to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the affected journalists and all other victims of the incident.

He assured the people of Kano that, if elected, his administration would have zero tolerance for political thuggery and other forms of violence, stressing that his government would prioritise the protection of lives and property and create an environment where journalists and citizens can carry out their legitimate activities without fear.

Continue Reading

News

Kano Allocates N27.8bn for ICT, CBT Centres Across 44 LGAs

Published

on

 

The Kano State Government has earmarked N27.806 billion for the establishment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the state’s 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Muhammad Tajuddin Uthman, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Kano Press Centre, where he outlined a number of initiatives being undertaken by the government to improve security, education, healthcare and access to technology across the state.

Uthman said the proposed ICT and CBT centres would be established in each of the 44 LGAs to provide residents, particularly students, with access to computers and digital examination facilities without having to travel long distances to Kano metropolis.

The commissioner explained that the initiative was designed to address the difficulties faced by students from rural communities who are required to travel to the state capital to sit for examinations conducted electronically.

According to him, the government considers the establishment of the centres necessary because examinations and other important services are increasingly moving online, making access to computers and reliable internet-enabled facilities essential for students and other members of the public.

Uthman cited areas such as Dambatta and Gaya as examples of communities where students sometimes have to travel to Kano to access CBT facilities, stressing that the new centres would bring such services closer to the people.

He said the centres would not be restricted to examinations, as residents of the respective LGAs would also have opportunities to use the computers and other facilities for various digital activities, thereby improving their digital literacy and access to online services.

The commissioner disclosed that each of the proposed centres would have three compartments, with each compartment designed to accommodate 100 students at a time, giving each centre a total capacity of 300 students.

Uthman further stated that each centre would be equipped with 300 computers to ensure that a large number of candidates could participate in computer-based examinations and other digital activities simultaneously.

He explained that the government was also making provisions for uninterrupted power supply at the centres, with electricity expected to be supported through the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), generators and solar-powered systems.

According to him, the centres would operate on a 24-hour basis to maximise their usefulness and ensure that students, residents and other users could access the facilities beyond conventional working hours.

Advert

Uthman said users would be required to pay affordable charges for some of the services provided at the centres, explaining that the fees would help sustain the facilities, maintain the equipment and ensure that the centres remain functional after their establishment.

On security, the commissioner said the state government was strengthening existing security arrangements in the 44 LGAs through additional measures, including the deployment of forest guards to areas where insecurity has been identified as a challenge.

Uthman said the additional security arrangements were aimed at improving rapid response to security threats and enhancing the safety of residents, particularly in local government areas and communities considered vulnerable to attacks.

He further disclosed that military bases would be established in strategic locations across the state as part of measures to strengthen security and improve the government’s ability to respond quickly to emerging threats.

The commissioner said the government was determined to ensure that security challenges did not prevent residents in rural communities from accessing government services, education, healthcare and other opportunities.

On healthcare, Uthman announced plans to provide a rural emergency ambulance for wards across the state’s 44 LGAs as part of efforts to improve access to emergency and basic healthcare services for people living in rural communities.

He explained that the ambulances would be designed specifically for rural environments and would help transport patients requiring urgent medical attention from remote communities to appropriate healthcare facilities.

According to the commissioner, the ambulances would be in the form of tricycles adapted for emergency medical transportation, making them suitable for communities and roads where conventional ambulances may experience difficulties.

Uthman added that each ambulance would have two drivers assigned to it to ensure availability and continuity of service, while qualified drivers would be recruited by the government to operate the vehicles.

He said the rural ambulance programme was specifically intended to bring emergency healthcare closer to rural dwellers and reduce delays in transporting patients to health facilities.

The commissioner also disclosed plans to establish electric vehicle charging points in the metropolitan area as part of the government’s efforts to promote cheaper and more sustainable transportation.

Uthman said the charging infrastructure would support users of electric motorcycles and electric tricycles and would make it easier for residents to adopt electric vehicles as an alternative means of transportation.

He explained that increasing access to charging facilities would contribute to reducing the cost of transportation for residents while also supporting the state’s transition towards cleaner energy-powered mobility.

The commissioner commended Abba Bichi for his contribution towards the provision of solar-powered facilities, describing such initiatives as important to the state’s efforts to expand access to reliable and alternative sources of electricity.

Uthman also said the state government would continue its efforts to revive entrepreneurship, stressing that the development of small businesses and self-employment opportunities remained an important part of its strategy for improving livelihoods and economic opportunities for residents.

He said the various initiatives in ICT, healthcare, security, renewable energy and entrepreneurship were aimed at bringing government services and opportunities closer to residents across the 44 LGAs, particularly those living in rural communities.

Continue Reading

Trending