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Anambra: I’ve cleared gratuity, pension arrears inherited from past government — Soludo

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Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo

The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has announced that his administration has successfully cleared seven years of accumulated gratuity and pension arrears inherited from his predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano.

This announcement was made during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at Ekwueme Square in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

Soludo reiterated his government’s commitment to workers’ welfare despite the prevailing economic challenges.

“With regard to the gratuities owed to our retired workforce, we have settled all arrears inherited upon assuming office.

“I am pleased to report that, barring cases where retirees have yet to complete documentation, we have successfully cleared four years’ backlog of pension arrears.

“In the civil service, retirees were owed four years of pensions totalling N14 billion. I am happy to announce that we have paid for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020. Only the year 2021 remains, and we are making arrangements to ensure it is paid shortly,” Soludo said.

The governor emphasised his administration’s commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and improved working conditions for public servants.

“Within the limits of our available resources, we remain determined to enhance the welfare and working environment of our workforce. This is not just a policy choice—it is a moral obligation,” he declared.

Earlier in the celebration, the Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Humphrey Nwafor, commended the Soludo administration for the progress made thus far.

However, he also urged the state government to expedite the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme, a key recommendation by the Joint Committee on Pension Reform.

He noted that this would provide long-term financial security for retirees and ensure a more sustainable pension system.

Nwafor also appealed for the payment of outstanding allowances owed to non-teaching staff under the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, and those in post-primary institutions.

These staff members, he said, have yet to receive the approved 17.5 per cent peculiarity allowance and deserve treatment comparable to the 27.5 per cent allowance granted to teachers.

In addition, the NLC chairman called for the immediate and full implementation of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure, CONJUSS, and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS.

He also stressed the need for increased training opportunities, improved welfare packages, and enhanced security for workers across all sectors.

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Critic files N250m defamation suit against Adamawa commissioner

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A fresh defamation lawsuit, with demands for damages has been filed against the Adamawa State Commissioner for Environment, Mohammed Sadiq by a famed critic of people in power in the state, Umar Jada, also known as Calculate.

This is a twist in the running war of words and legal battle between both parties.

Initially, it was the commissioner’s father, Sadiq Wali, who had taken Calculate before a Yola court over an audio comment against Sadiq Wali which the later claimed damaged his reputation, a fracas to which the commissioner was dragged into.

While that initial case is still running in court, Calculate dragged Sadiq Wali before the Adamawa State High Court and, accusing him of a deliberate attempt to malign and assassinate his character.

He is now demanding N250 million as general damages.

Cslculate’s case, filed under writ of summons No. HC/ADSY/2025, marks a surprising escalation in the public rift between the two political actors who only last week, acted as if a lull was in the offing.

In his deposition, Calculate alleges that on May 25, 2025, Mohammed Sadiq published a series of defamatory statements on his Facebook page, referring to him in demeaning language.

Calculate, praying the court to order the defendant to pay N250 million in damages for libel, is also asking the court to mandate Mohammed Sadiq to immediately remove the offending publications from his Facebook wall.

This defamation suit comes on the heels of the initial dramatic legal encounter when a Magistrate Court ordered the arrest and detention of Calculate following a high-profile defamation complaint by Sadiq Wali.

The arrest sparked public outcry, resulting in a legal intervention after Calculate filed an appeal before an Adamawa State High Court which granted him bail under less stringent conditions.

The present lawsuit by Calculate has now been seen as a counteroffensive, although it took many by surprise because a mediation move made last week by a prominent politician, Senator Ishaka Abbo appeared to be succeeding, with both parties thought to considering a peaceful settlement.

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Benue crisis: We’re just speaking English – Varsity don, John Ogi worries no arrest made yet

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A senior lecturer at Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, MOAUM, Dr John Ogi, has lamented that, until now, no arrest has been made regarding the unprovoked attack in Yelewata community, Benue State, where over 200 unsuspecting residents were killed a few days ago.

Ekwutosblog reports that President Bola Tinubu, who was in the state on Wednesday over the incident, had questioned why no arrest had yet been made.

Shortly after the president’s meeting with key stakeholders in Makurdi, the lecturer took to his official Facebook page to express concern over what may happen next.

He wrote, “My worries stand tall, with the number of securities I saw today in Makurdi and nobody has even been arrested as a suspect and no official intelligence information about the root cause of the killings or the sponsors. No open resistance done anywhere.

“We are just speaking english, after today, what is next is the big question. Has today’s engagement commissioned the beginning of investigation or is it a mark of possible signing for the job to end the killings and for lives to be protected to start?

“Let the work go beyond talking to action. Must a president visit before the job be done and done well. How long has this been going on before today.”

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Abia Government Confirms Herdsmen Attack In Umunneochi, Many Killed

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‎The Abia State government has confirmed an attack by armed herdsmen in the Umunneochi local government area, resulting in several fatalities.

‎The state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, who was silent on the casualty figures, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Government House in Umuahia.

‎”There have been some security breaches in the Umunneochi area of the state, leading to some fatalities,”

‎ Kanu said that the state security agencies had been put on full alert to address the security issue.

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