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Kano’s Kabir Yusuf: Best Pension-Paying Governor, Says Tonnie Iredia

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Retired public servants as distinct from political office holders in Nigeria live in penury. The value of their pensions is not only too little for survival, disbursements are never regular leading to huge arrears of the otherwise meagre entitlements of retirees.

At the beginning of a new administration at federal and subnational levels in Nigeria in 2023, no less than 21 states of the federation reportedly owed retirees as much as N790billion inherited pensions and gratuities.

According to detailed findings by a team of Vanguard Newspaper reporters, only Kaduna and Kebbi states were up to date in the payment of pensions and gratuities to their retirees. All others led by Rivers and Benue states were ridiculously indebtedto the tune of N119 billion and N100 billion respectively.

Although the federal government often displayed a ‘father Xmas’ approach in bailing states out of financial problems, the government at the centre had itself failed to implement pension adjustments under the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, since the scheme’s inception some two decades ago.

It was therefore not only states that were owing retirees, the federal government did not perform better. Indeed, by July 1, 2024, that is more than a year in office by the present administration federal retirees alone were owed about N230bn pension arrears.

The rationale for the government’s neglect of citizens who had spent the better part of their lives serving the nation has remained inexplicable. Some states only pay current debts while pushing forward the inherited liabilities.

The few states that tried to clear the mounting indebtedness were visibly half-hearted in implementing the policy. It is against this backdrop that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state is singled out today for commendation for his pragmatic and continuous releases of appreciable sums to ameliorate the pains of retirees in his state.

Since 2023, Kabir has released a total of 22 billion in four tranches to pay pensions and gratuity. His consistent approach in dealing with the subject suggests that the debts will be a thing of the past at the end of his first tenure in office.

Having paid 50 percent in his first two years in office in line with his election promises, it is logical to conclude that he would ensure he keeps to his promise.If other governors can emulate the Kano example, the real essence of governance will take shape in the country.

More importantly, the high level of corruption in Nigeria today would drop considerably because serving public servants may no longer see the need to desperately pursue avenues for self-enrichment in order to avoid what is happening to their predecessors now to be their lot in future.

Put differently, whereas the anti-corruption agencies are making great moves in retrieving stolen public funds, giving retirees their entitlement will dissuade serving public servants from corruption.

Of course, Kebbi, Kaduna and other people-oriented leaders that have made different efforts to improve the leaving conditions of Nigerian workers past and present similarly deserve the same commendation being given to Kano today.

Hopefully,such praises would alter the disposition of some states that before now did not see the expedience of appreciating public servants who had diligently served society.

Here, a note of warning ought to be sounded to leaders in government particularly state governors who rather than paying entitlements to deserving citizens, divert public funds to themselves.

Unfortunately, such leaders have ignored the public cry in the land that they should stop the extortion of huge emoluments to enrich themselves as well as their friends and families. As a result, it would remain impossible to have enough funds to pay salaries, pensions as well as gratuities and still be able to develop society.

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It is generally believed for example that funds expended on legislators at both federal and state levels are enough to make Nigeria a greater country. In fact, newspaper and other frivolous allowances to law makers are far higher than the meagre pensions of retirees, yet the country is always able to satisfy such irrational spendings on the comfort of political office holders.

The case of state governors who maintain long convoys which accompany them on any trip within and outside the country is another example. It is indeed quite irritating to realize that all personal requests of leaders are taken care of from the public treasury. But when it comes to emoluments to public servants both serving and retired,such leaders are quick at remembering the supposed poor economic status of Nigeria.

To make matters worse, political office holders in many states are paid bogus allowances at the end of an 8-year tenure, a policy which is not extended to citizens who had spent 35 years in office. Sadly, the leaders were able to ensure that pension law provisions were made to accommodate their extortion which in clear terms is as bad as a typical crime against humanity.

The atrocious insensitivity is neither new nor reducing.The trend began from Lagos where the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension) Law No 11 of 2007 provided for unreasonably lavish goodies which were quickly adapted or increased in some other states.

The law approves a house each in preferred locations within the relevant state andor Abuja; an average of two to six new cars every three or four years; 100 per cent of the incumbent’s basic salary; free health care for the beneficiary and family members, local and abroad and furniture allowance, house maintenance allowance, utility allowance, car maintenance allowance, and entertainment allowance etc.

It also provides for personal assistants, policemen, and operatives of other security services for life; including 30 days of annual vacation within and outside Nigeria.

Due to public outcry, some states purported to have reviewed the provisions but without substantially reducing the bogus expenditure. Indeed, some governors who are receiving such emoluments are reportedly also getting unapproved emoluments from the National Assembly where they are currently serving as senators.

In 2019 however, a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the Federal Government to recover pensions collected by former governors who had gone on to serve as ministers and federal legislators.

Bearing in mind the high degree of impunity in the land, no one knows if the order had been obeyed or not. What remains obvious is the trend whereby political leaders live in opulence while the people they claim to be representing in different arms of government are in penury.

Leaders who abhor agitations and criticisms need to take note of the issues raised above and redress them without delay. One of the things begging for action now in our clime is an immediate end to the culture of long-drawn-out arrears of pensions and gratuities.

To faithfullyclearthe debts in line with the proactive stand of governor Abba Kabir of Kano is recommended. In addition, the irritating pension laws which approve bogus allowances for former political office holders who served for no more than 8 years should be abrogated.

To avoid a recurrence of such disposition towards official extortions,the existence of arrears of pensions and gratuities in any state should be made an impeachable offence to replace the current frivolous impeachments that are used to settle political scores.

It is worthy of note that President Bola Tinubu has himself gotten concerned over the poor management of pension matters in Nigeria. A few days ago, Tinubu directed the National Pension Commission (PenCom) topromptly implement “long-overdue pension increases and a minimum pension guarantee, which would provide a safety net for the most vulnerable pensioners under the CPS.

”In like manner, it is germane that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has openly berated the plight of retired police officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

“According to the police boss, many retired police personnel”live in humiliating conditions that have instilled fear and anxiety among serving officers, thereby weakening morale across the ranks.”

If urgent steps are not taken to fall in line with the above feelings, no one can predict the nature of public reactions to sufferings by retirees. Only last month, retired police officers protested in Abuja, lamenting their poor treatment and humiliating pension payments.

In January, the federal government had to propose a 53 per cent increase in the 2025 budget allocations for military retirees following a series of ugly protests at the Ministry of Finance in Abuja over their unpaid entitlements.

A trend whereby retired personnel of armed services have to protest before getting their entitlement is clearly dangerous. It is thus a matter for regret that leaders in Nigeria take action on sensitive matters such as the livelihood of the elderly only after several protests. It is unwholesome and gravely derogates from the country’s reputation.

Tonnie Osa Iredia is Professor of Mass Communication, former DG NTA and Veteran Broadcaster write from Benin.

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League of Veteran Journalists Held Validation Meeting of a Draft Charter

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January 7, 2026

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By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

The proposed League of Veteran Journalists of Kano State has held a validation meeting of a draft charter of the league.

Dr. Saminu Rijiyar Zaki, while presenting the draft at the League of Veterans held in Kano, said one of the requirements was that the members should be of the highest standard of integrity and should not affect the independence of the league.

Dr. Saminu, who is of the Department of Information and Media Studies, Faculty of Communication, Bayero University Kano, said there should be grounds for discipline for gross violation of the code of ethics.

He said for misuse of the league’s resources, complaints against any member should be written in person to the secretariat.

Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya addressing the Press after the meeting

Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya addressing the Press after the meeting

Executive Committee Adjudication
Should make a recommendation.

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A veteran journalist, Malam Nasiru Gwadabe, made observations and said the league should be addressed as the Forum of Media Stakeholders, not the League of Veterans, because it involves all sections of journalists.

On her part, a retired staff of the State Ministry of Information and a veteran journalist, Maryam Yerima Muhammad, said the proposed funding of the association as provided in the draft charter is very serious.

She said most of the veterans are retired. How can a veteran contribute with the little pension he acquires monthly from retirement?

She called for subvention to be given to the league to operate.

A media scholar, Dr. Hassan Alhaji Yau, also proposed the establishment of an interim management committee of the league, in which a veteran with over fifty years’ experience, Malam Ahmad Aminu, was appointed as the chairman.

Closing the gathering, the State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, while addressing the press, said the League of Veteran Journalists in Kano will chart a new course for journalism in the state and Nigeria.

Media scholars from Bayero University who graced the occasion are Professor Hajara Umar Sanda, Professor Nura Ibrahim, Professor Hadiza Ibrahim, Malam Mukhtar Magaji, Associate Professor Gwani Ibrahim Siraj Adhama and Professor Hassan Yau.

Some of the veterans that graced the occasion are former President of the NUJ, Comrade Sani Zoro; former Chairman of NUJ Kano Council, Abbas Ibrahim; former Permanent Secretary Abubakar Rimi Television, Faruk Umar Usman; Alhaji Ahmad Aminu; Malam Bala Muhammad; Muhammad Sunusi Jibrin; Abdullahi Malam; Abba Murtala Yankaba; Muhammad Dahiru Sheka; Abdulkadir Kwakwatawa; Ibrahim Ahmad Karaye; Hajiya Aishatu Sule; Prince Ajayi Maimayatan; Ado Saidu Warawa; Bala Nasiru, among others.

Some of the journalists called for a comprehensive media policy in Kano that will guide the revival of the state’s comatose industries, religion, and culture.

The draft charter was adopted as moved by Malam Bala Muhammad of the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University Kano, and was seconded by Malam Abdullahi Malam, a former bureau chief of the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano.

 

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Dangote Cement Making Measurable Impacts In Benue Host Communities — FG

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2 hours ago

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January 7, 2026

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The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has said that Dangote Cement Plc is making measurable impacts in its Gboko Host Communities of Benue State.

At the commissioning of Dangote Cement’s multi-million-naira water projects, scholarship awards and youth skill acquisition programme, the minister commended the company for its impactful contributions to host communities.

He also commended the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for partnering and supervising the training of youth during the skill acquisition programme.

Represented by an Assistant Director of Mines and Environmental Compliance, Benue State, Mrs. Adijatu Usman, the minister said Dangote Cement is meeting its obligations under the Community Development Agreement (CDA).

He said the CDA ensures that mining companies plough back part of their profits into their host communities.

He said: “I can tell you that the Dangote Cement has delivered several projects for its host communities.

“The project was a fall out of a Federal Government policy, for companies such as Dangote to give back to its host communities.

“It is a Federal Government policy for mining companies to reinvest part of their profits into host mining communities so as to impact the communities, and as a result of that policy we have had series of engagements with them.

“There are six of these communities here. We sat with them several times and these projects are certified community-based projects because the community agreed that they needed these projects. And we are here today because the projects have been completed.

“What we expect is for the communities to see these projects as their personal projects; own them, and protect them, so that they will be sustainable. That way there will be economic development within the communities.

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“We share in their joy as we present these projects to them, and we think that mining will be sustainable.”

Speaking at the commissioning and handover ceremony of the projects to the communities, Head of Social Performance at Dangote Cement Plant in Gboko, Dr. Johnson Kor, stated that the projects were delivered to communities that have challenge in access to good water supply.

Dr. Kor said: “We are here today to commission CDA projects that were earmarked for these host communities since last year December 2024. We have done many of them and these are the ones that have been completed, and they are water projects among them motorized and solar powered boreholes.

“Community Development Agreement was entered in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the host communities, the stakeholders and the Plant.

“It is a five-year agreement, and this is the first year and by next year we will be going into the second round and as you can see, we are also working on some electricity projects which are yet to be completed.

“These are areas where they hardly get water, despite having hand dug wells, they are perennially in need of water and some of them are using water from the streams or river because of their proximity to River Benue.

“Therefore, we felt there was need to provide water for them, and they are happy with this kind of gesture exhibited by the Dangote Cement Plc.

“The boreholes are located in Pass Brother, Mbaakpoghol-Mbatyu; Mbaswa-Mbatser and Agboghol-Amua communities.”

District Head of Mbaakpoghol-Mbatyu, Chief Kunav Anum, observed that as a community, his people were very happy to have one of the boreholes located in the community.

He said: “We are very excited. We didn’t know that this would happen so soon in this community. It came as a surprise, so we are grateful to Dangote Cement Plc for the gesture.”

The monarch said the community had accessed electricity earlier through Dangote Cement, even as he pledged that the community would continue to support the company.

A statement from the company had said: “In further demonstration of this commitment, the scholarship fund has this year been reviewed upward to ₦28,800,000.00, and its scope expanded to cover all six host communities, strictly in line with the provisions of the Community Development Agreement (CDA). This deliberate expansion reflects our desire to ensure equity, inclusiveness, and shared benefits across all our immediate communities.

“The company has executed several projects, with others still ongoing, including the Women Empowerment Programme, the Farmers Empowerment Programme and the Youth Empowerment Programme, all aimed at improving livelihoods in the host communities.”

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Ex-Running Mate of Peter Obi, Datti Baba Ahmed, Declares Interest for Presidency

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2 hours ago

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January 7, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, formally declared his intention on Wednesday to run for president in the 2027 elections. The announcement was made during a gathering at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja and comes amid ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s opposition.

Baba-Ahmed’s declaration follows closely on last week’s departure of former presidential candidate Peter Obi from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress–a move that has sparked debate over the future of the party and opposition dynamics ahead of the next general election.

Addressing supporters, Baba-Ahmed stressed that his presidential ambition predates the 2023 polls and is not a reaction to Obi’s exit.

“I have decided to contest for the presidency in 2027. I am not following anyone’s trajectory or stepping into anyone’s shoes,” he stated.

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“Before His Excellency Peter Obi filed for the presidency, I had already aspired to the office. The records are there.”

He recalled contesting the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential primary in October 2018 before later joining forces with Obi under the Labour Party in 2023.

“I saw a rare opportunity for national unity in Peter Obi’s candidacy, and that is why I decided to flow with it,” Baba-Ahmed explained.

Responding to questions about identity and eligibility, he affirmed: “I am a practising Muslim and a Hausa man, but first I am a Nigerian. The constitution grants me the right to contest. I am doing this because Nigeria needs help.”

However, he noted that he would await official party and electoral guidelines before further campaign steps: “As a law-abiding citizen and loyal party member, I will wait for INEC’s timetable and the Labour Party’s call for aspirants.”

In his response, Labour Party National Chairman Julius Abure commended Baba-Ahmed for his loyalty amid speculation of defection. He highlighted that key figures, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, also remain with the party.

“On the night Peter Obi defected, Dr. Baba-Ahmed called to confirm he was not leaving the party–the platform through which we secured millions of votes in 2023,” Abure said.

He added that Baba-Ahmed had proposed and helped organize the unity meeting held at the party secretariat.

“The Labour Party is intact,” Abure asserted. “We will not let Nigerians down. We remain united and committed to offering a genuine alternative.”

Baba-Ahmed’s entry adds a new layer to the emerging 2027 presidential contest, signaling early positioning and potential reshaping of opposition alliances.

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