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Vehicles burnt as gas explodes in Lagos filling station

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Vehicles burnt as gas explodes in Lagos filling station

No fewer than nine people have sustained various injuries and many vehicles burnt after a gas explosion triggered a fire at the Mobil Filling Station near the Airport Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos State.

Our correspondent learnt that no casualties were reported at the filling station when the explosion occurred around 10:49 a.m. on Thursday, causing panic and fear among residents and business owners.

Speaking to our correspondent, an attendant who did not want his name in print for personal reasons, said the fire that emanated from the point spread immediately, affecting about nine vehicles parked at the premises.

He said, “I was attending to a customer when I heard a loud noise from the gas point and before I could imagine what was going on, the vehicles parked close to the gas truck were already gutted by fire.

“My colleagues and I, as well as customers who came to buy fuel quickly ran away. A gas truck was refilling the storage tank when it happened.”

An eyewitness who gave his name simply as Tunde said the extent of the damage was due to the fast spread of the fire.

He said, “The fire was so fast that no one could wait to move out of their vehicles from the station. Before the firefighters arrived, we tried our best to see how to reduce its spread but it was too much. It would have been fatal if the place was crowded due to fuel scarcity.”

A fruit seller named Adamu, who was in the area when the explosion occurred, told our correspondent that the fire started while a gas tanker was discharging its content into an above-ground storage tank, which then ignited.

“The fire started when the tanker was inside the station. The explosion was heavy. I saw yellow buses carrying at least three people to the hospital,” he stated.

Adamu’s account was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Maintenance Agency, Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, on Thursday. He stated that their investigation revealed damage to the pipe of the eight-ton LPG gas cylinder while its content was being discharged.

He explained that the damage to the cylinder led to a rapid gas leak, which then ignited and caused the explosion. He added that further investigation would provide answers regarding the cause of the incident.

Oke-Osanyintolu noted that the explosion resulted in severe burns for two adult males, while around seven other people sustained minor injuries.

He added that about 10 vehicles, both commercial and private, were damaged, including parts of a nearby two-storey building.

He said, “All injured parties were promptly rescued and provided with immediate medical attention by the agency’s pre-hospital care team, in collaboration with LASAMBUS. They were later transferred to LASUTH for further treatment.

“The fire was successfully contained by the combined efforts of the agency’s LRT and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, preventing it from spreading to surrounding areas.

“The site is being cordoned off to ensure safety and to return the environment to normalcy as quickly as possible.”

Oke-Osanyintolu revealed that two LPG gas cylinders, one weighing about 12 tons and the other eight tons, had been secured at the premises to prevent further explosions.

Similarly, in response to the incident via its X.com handle, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service stated that its crew found a gas truck discharging its content into an above-ground storage tank when it ignited.

The fire service stated that the raging inferno engulfed “eight vehicles, including the tanker itself, and affected parts of the uppermost floor of a nearby two-storey building.”

The statement explained that the numbers of the victims could not be ascertained, adding that the injured victims had been taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja for treatment.

A similar explosion occurred in late April, injuring nine people, including a pregnant woman, in the Ajegunle-Apapa area of Lagos State.

The explosion was reportedly caused by a gas leak that ignited a high-tension cable, sparking a fire in the area, which is known for its gas cylinder trading activities.

Labour gives Nasarawa three-week ultimatum on N70,000 wage

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Labour gives Nasarawa three-week ultimatum on N70,000 wage

Organised labour in Nasarawa State has given Governor Abdullahi Sule, a three-week ultimatum to begin the payment of the N70,000 new minimum wage.

Labour also called on the governor to commence the payment of backlog of workers’ entitlements running into N250m.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Nasarawa State, Ismaila Okoh, made the call at a press briefing in Lafia on Thursday.

Okoh spoke at the end of an emergency meeting held by labour with workers in the state.

He warned that failure to meet the demands, workers in the state would embark on a strike.

“We are giving the Nasarawa State government until the end of August to start paying the new national minimum wage and other entitlements of workers in the state in order to avert an indefinite strike.

“Civil servants in the state have made enormous sacrifices for the development of the state, so it is important for the state government to act fast in improving the welfare of workers,” the NLC chairman said.

When contacted, the state Head of Civil Service, Abigail Waya, said the government had yet to conclude plans for the implementation of the new minimum wage.

She, however, assured the workers of the state government’s commitment to improving their welfare.

Our correspondent reports that the atmosphere around the civil service in Nasarawa State had been characterised by uneasiness, uncertainty and apprehension following repeated pronouncements by the state government that it was ready to commence payment of the new national minimum wage.

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How I branded Onyeka Onwenu as ‘Elegant Stallion’

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How I branded Onyeka Onwenu as ‘Elegant Stallion’

Nigerians continue to mourn the loss of a beloved creative talent, Onyeka Onwenu, who died on July 30 after performing at a friend’s birthday party in Lagos. Rather than focusing on her passing, I’d like to share a personal reflection on how I came to brand her as the “Elegant Stallion.”

In the 1980s, Onyeka was Nigeria’s beloved music diva and broadcaster. Her success in music and pop culture paved the way for her entry into movies when Nollywood exploded in the 1990s. Her iconic nickname, “Elegant Stallion,” was born out of entertainment journalism and became a brand she proudly identified with until her death.

Sometimes in 1987, a young Zimbabwean music promoter, Steve Chigorimbo, arrived in Nigeria for music business. He came from Harare and recruited famous Nigerian musicians for a southern Africa tour, billed as Music Against Apartheid.

I had the privilege of covering the Music Against Apartheid tour in southern Africa, featuring Onyeka, the late Sonny Okosuns, and Christie Essien-Igbokwe. As the Entertainment Editor of The According, I was invited to be the MC for the sold-out concert at the Rufaro Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe. The night before a stadium sold-out concert, Steve urged me to be the MC.

Earlier, the tour had taken the groups to Lusaka, Kitwe and Kabwe, major cities of Zambia. The first major performance in Zimbabwe was at the Rufaro Stadium. By the afternoon of the concert date, Rufaro Stadium was packed with excited concertgoers, including university students.

The mood was intense. When Onyeka walked onto the stage, she was poised, elegant and magnificent. She approached the microphone confidently; her band slowly began to belt out rhythms from her latest dance release then, Winnie Mandela, one of the tracks from the Dancing In The Sun album.

She walked onto the stage, seduced the microphone, and held it tightly as she smiled at the crowd. Then she steadily began to caress the microphone. As she began to sing, the toned back muscles of her legs cushioned, her neck vein vocals popped and pushed the smooth chocolate skins onto radiance.

The night before the concert, I met a young Zimbabwean woman named Zolfor West, who would later inspire the nickname “Elegant Stallion.” After an unforgettable one-night stand together, she called me her “stallion,” symbolising power and strength from our previous night’s happy-ending rendezvous.

The next evening, as I watched Onyeka perform on stage, I was struck by her poise, elegance, and magnificence. I wanted to capture her essence in my review, so I drew inspiration from my encounter with Zolfor. I wrote: “Onyeka has matured from a saint to a sinner, from a pretender to a real performer. Here comes our Elegant Stallion.”

That description stuck, and thanks to entertainment journalism, Onwenu became synonymous with the “Elegant Stallion” brand. Today, we remember her as an iconic, hot, sexy, brilliant broadcaster, singer, and entertainer who left unforgettable moments in our lives.

I was a young bohemian entertainment reporter with The According. You were a charming songstress who blew our minds with your beauty and talents. You were an electrifying singer, an engaging storyteller, a broadcaster and a great actress.

Both of us were stubborn, single young career-focused people. We came to impact our world. You wanted me to write what you liked about you. I wanted to be just as objective as journalism ethics dictated.

Between our stubbornness, we felt deep admiration and appreciation for our creative minds. Thence we fought at every opportunity our presence privileged us. I also remember my goofs, silliness and young arrogance.

I was mischievous, unyielding, and excited by the privilege to report, write and document the happenings in Nigeria’s complex entertainment business. We engaged each other whenever our paths crossed: you were famous and legendary. We both happened to our generation, simultaneously.

Onyeka, you were a decade and three years older. We had a similar disposition. You were brave, brilliant, beautiful and fearless.

As time ticked fast, we learnt from each other that through those years, we truly adored each other’s creative brilliance.

Onwenu has galloped into eternal sunset. Go well, my elegant stallion.

  • Azuka Jebose authored this piece

Anioma State proposal sparks rift among Delta’s political bigwigs

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Anioma State proposal sparks rift among Delta’s political bigwigs

In this report, MATTHEW OCHEI delves into the heated controversy surrounding the proposed creation of Anioma State, following a bill sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, a move that has deeply divided political stakeholders across Delta State

The controversy over the creation of Anioma State as an additional state within the South-East zone has continued to generate issues, with a group threatening to recall the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Ned Nwoko, for sponsoring the bill which has scaled the second reading at the National Assembly.

Anioma is an Igbo-speaking group of people in Delta State, covering nine Local Government Areas in the South-South zone. The clamour for Anioma state had been in abeyance for three decades, championed by the then Premier of Mid-West Region, the late Dennis Osadebe. It was put to rest but not forgotten when Delta State was created on August 27, 1991. Nwoko resurrected the call in another dimension as an additional state in the South-East zone.

Speaking on the issue, an Asaba chief, Prof Leroy Edozien who backed the bill, posited that the only way to get the Anioma state is to join the South-East zone, to make the zone complete, having six states like others.

Prof Edozien, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, advised President Bola Tinubu to write his name in gold by creating an additional state to address the marginalisation in the southeast zone.

He said, “The Federal Government will not just wake up one day and say they want to create states, there must be a reason. Creating additional states beyond what we have now is not easy, because many zones are agitating for new states.

“But, presently, the South-East zone has five states, while all other zones have six states each. If you are the President or the Senate President or key elements in the creation of the state, if you are to create just one state, will you put it in a zone where they already have seven, or six and leave the zone that has five?

“If they said today, they are going to create an additional state; there is no doubt that the state is going to be in the South-East. Let’s face the more controversial aspect of it, and that is the state to be in the South-East zone. If you want something, you must be savvy about it politically.

“For those who have strong feelings against it, are we having a regional government? No, it is not a South-East government, it’s a zone and not even constitutional, but just for political convenience and arrangement to help bring people together to collaborate.”

Prof Edozien said the purpose of state creation is to bring government closer to the people, which is one of the benefits of the creation of Anioma state, adding that it will be very viable as it has abundant human and natural resources to become a state.

“I’m in total support of the creation of Anioma State. We have to be pragmatic about it, you can’t say because we don’t want to be in the South-East, therefore, we can’t have Anioma State. Let us have the state, if it means we will be in the South-East, so be it. We have linguistic and cultural affiliations with them. There is no ethnic group in Nigeria that does not have the good and the bad side, but we must learn to live together and believe in the concept of unity in diversity.”

Throwing his weight in support of the bill, the National Coordinator, Ukpe Anioma, Alex Ipeazu urged all Anioma sons and daughters in the nine LGs of Delta North Senatorial District to speak in one voice for the creation of Anioma state, irrespective of the geopolitical zone it will belong.

Ipeazu stated this in Asaba during an advocacy and sensitization event organized by the Ugo Anioma Movement to enlighten stakeholders on the creation of Anioma state from the present Delta State.

He said Anioma indigenes in the nine LGAs of Delta North would be the greatest beneficiaries when the state is created, and called for total support of all, irrespective of political, religious and ethnic inclinations to realise the age-long clamour for Anioma state.

He hinted that the creation of Anioma state would usher in more opportunities for infrastructural development, job creation, political appointments, economic growth, more revenue, and lots more.

“We are all Igbo, speaking the same dialect of Nnua (welcome) and Ndo (sorry) and none is superior to the other. And if we fail to support Senator Ned Nwoko’s aggressive drive for the creation of Anioma state because of sentiments bothering on the geopolitical zone it should belong to when created, we will be further divided, and rendered politically irrelevant forever,” Ipeazu pointed out.

Also, an ex-Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development, Chief Dan Okenyi, who recalled that the clamour for the creation of Anioma state had been on for many decades, gave an assurance that the state would be created this time around under the doctrine of necessity.

While calling for more sensitisation and awareness to allay fears and misconceptions in the minds of some persons, Okenyi clarified that the ongoing agitation for Anioma state was not about Nwoko representing Delta North in the Senate, but that God was using him to push for the creation the state. He added that the two other senators representing Delta Central and Delta South senatorial districts were in full support of the creation of Anioma state

Two prominent sons of the Ndokwa-Ukwuani axis of Delta State, Dr Godwin Ossai, and Chief Ugo Asibelua, reaffirmed the support of their people for the creation of Anioma state. While dismissing the fear of perceived marginalisation if the state is added to the South-East when created, they said the Anioma people had a close affinity with the Igbo in the South East and assured that there would be lots of gains.

The threat to recall Nwoko from the Senate, however, came from the Delta State socio-political group, “The Ndokwa Renaissance,” which urged the sponsor of the bill to withdraw it or face consequences.

In a resolution signed by its President, Mr Chinedu Ebgenumolise and Secretary, Dr Uti Onyeukwu, the group condemned Nwoko’s proposal without due consultation of the people of Delta North who they said will be negatively affected by such a move.

“We warned that if Senator Nwoko fails to withdraw his proposal which is dangerously self-serving, undemocratic and unconstitutional, we will be left with no option but to institute legal action to compel him.

“We will mobilise the people of Delta North Senatorial District to recall Senator Ned Nwoko as our representative at the Senate. The Delta North has been an integral part of the South-South from the colonial era to date. Why would the lawmaker want the peaceful and progressive Anioma land to be made part of the South East where violent agitation for secession has heightened insecurity,” they said.

Adding his voice against the move, a former House of Representatives member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Mr Pascal Adigwe, complained about the surreptitious use of his picture to drive home the propagation of Anioma state creation proposal.

Adigwe, who was Director General of Ned Nwoko Senatorial Campaign Council in 2023, told The According that he was never carried along nor consulted for the new agitation for Anioma state. He said what is needed most now is to focus on the governance and development of Delta North.

“There is no faceoff between me and Nwoko, the only thing I responded to was to stop using my name and picture we took for different purposes to represent and put my endorsement to the creation of Anioma state and which zone it should go. That’s my protest. When it’s time to play politics, we will play it. Are we even creating a state? Do you know what it takes to create a state? It is not time for that yet, nobody is creating any state.

“We have tried it in the past, but it didn’t work, so it’s not now. When the time comes, we will sit down and discuss the state to be created and which zone it will be. It will be a collective effort then. As I said, let’s focus on governance and development of the area first.”

To address the controversy surrounding Anioma state, Delta North monarchs have urged for a more inclusive dialogue and broader consultation with key stakeholders, especially on issues regarding the state creation and impact on Nigeria’s geopolitical landscape. The monarchs cautioned that the unity, cohesion and identity of the people of Anioma should not be compromised under whatever guise.

Rising from their quarterly meeting at Owa Oyibu, Ika North East Local Government Area, the monarchs, under the aegis of Delta North Traditional Rulers Forum, appealed for calm among the political class and proponents of the Anioma state agenda, insisting that the input, views and opinions of all strata of the Anioma community should be aggregated in the pursuit of the goals for the creation of Anioma state.

In a five-point communiqué signed by its Chairman and Obi of Owa, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor 11 and the Vice Chairman and Obi of Ubulu-Unor, Dr Henry Kikachukwu 1, the monarchs underscored the importance of engagements across the board and unity of purpose. They added that the people should unanimously agree to speak with one voice, based on issues of common interest to the entire Anioma Nation as one indivisible entity with a common identity and heritage.

The monarchs said, “We should stop washing our dirty linen in public. Senate Ned Nwoko, who is representing Delta North in the National Assembly and other elected representatives of the people, political class and other critical stakeholders should work together and engage the people to know what they want, rather than embark on what is perceived as personal aggrandizement.

“We enjoined those currently agitating for the Anioma state project and the drivers of the initiative to maintain the status quo, pending when a comprehensive dialogue and all-inclusive consultations have been concluded to give the initiative a clear direction.”

The monarchs frowned on a situation where the issue of the Anioma state creation and the zoning formula has polarised the political class and other critical stakeholders, saying such acrimony is capable of derailing the entire overall objective and depriving the zone of the much desired social, economic and political development.

The stakeholders agree to the creation of Anioma state but to be added to the South-East geopolitical zone is the bone of contention. As it were, consultation and sensitisation are ongoing to bring people together to speak in one voice, even as members of the political class are also busy working underground to truncate the move.

Botswana’s Tebogo beats Lyle in stunning 200m win

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Botswana’s Tebogo beats Lyle in stunning 200m win

Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo claimed a surprise Olympic 200m gold medal as Noah Lyles was denied a sprint double at Paris 2024.

Tebogo, 21, stormed clear of his rivals to clock an African record of 19.46 seconds and finish ahead of American Kenneth Bednarek, who crossed the line in 19.62.

Lyles, crowned the world’s fastest man by five-thousandths of a second in a historic 100m final four days earlier, was unable to compete at the head of the race and matched his Tokyo bronze in 19.70.

Having burst out on to the track to huge cheers before the race, Lyles was seeking to become the first man since Usain Bolt to complete a 100m and 200m double at an Olympic Games.

Two months ago, Tebogo lost his mother, he inscribed her initials on his nails to always have her closer to him.

Now, he has not only become his country’s first ever gold medallist at the Olympics, but also the first ever African athlete to win a gold medal in the event 200m.

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‘Fake Gateway United lose 13-1 to Al Merrikh’

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‘Fake Gateway United lose 13-1 to Al Merrikh’

Gateway United FC of Abeokuta have denied losing 13-1 to Al Merrikh in a recent friendly, adding that the scandalous loss was suffered by another Nigerian club who are illegally using their name and logo.

The Nigeria National League side made this clarity in Thursday’s release by the media department titled, “Unauthorised use of Gateway United FC name, logo,” in which they sternly warned the imposter against further use of their name and logo.

The release read, ”It has come to our attention that a team impersonating Gateway FC recently played a match against Al Merrikh and suffered a 13-1 defeat. We wish to clarify that Gateway United FC had no involvement in this match. This was an illegal use of our club’s name and logo, and we were not aware of or associated with this event in any capacity.

“For the record, Gateway United Football Club of Ogun State, with its secretariat at MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, had no participation or knowledge of the said match.

“We appreciate our fans’ support and understanding as we address this matter. Please rest assured that we are taking the necessary steps to present such incidents in the future. We hereby warn anyone or any organisation impersonating Gateway United FC to desist immediately or face the full wrath of the law. Furthermore, we demand that Al Merrikh pull down our logo from their website and social media channels immediately.

“For official updates and information about Gateway United FC, please refer to our verified communication channels.

Thank you for your continued support.”

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Ogun LG chairmanship candidates to pay N250,000 – OGSIEC

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Ogun LG chairmanship candidates to pay N250,000 – OGSIEC

Ahead of the November 16 local government election in Ogun State, the state’s Independent Electoral Commission, on Thursday, announced a N250,000 administrative fee for chairmanship candidates.

The Chairman of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, Babatunde Osibodu, represented by Olatunji Akoni, also announced N150,000 administrative fee for councillorship candidates. However, female councillorship candidates will pay N100,000.

Osibodu, who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, on Thursday, said the fee was subsidised for female candidates to encourage women participation.

“At OGSIEC, we are committed to gender sensitivity and actively advocate female participation in the democratic process. The commission has, therefore, set the administrative charges for the political parties presenting candidates at the elections.

“It is N250,000 per chairmanship candidate, N150,000 per male councillorship candidate and N100,000 per female councillorship candidate,” the OGSIEC Chairman said.

He promised that the election would be free and fair to reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people at the grassroots.

The Chairman of the Social Democratic Party in Ogun State,  Yinka Williams, urged OGSIEC to do everything possible to convince political parties that the election would be free and fair.

“There should be voters’ registration, which is very important to this election,” Williams said.

Present at the stakeholders’ meeting were representatives of security agencies, traditional rulers and political parties,  among others.

N30m maize harvested from Kwara poly farm – Rector

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N30m maize harvested from Kwara poly farm – Rector

The Kwara State Polytechnic farm harvested 25 tonnes of maize from its farm, estimated at N30m according to the market survey.

The volume of harvest also amounted to about 10 per cent of such produce that enters one of Ilorin’s grain markets at Ago daily.

The Rector of the institution, Dr Abdul-Jimoh Mohammed, who disclosed this, recounted how the institution turned its land encroachment challenge into a blessing.

He added that the farm’s cassava yield would give an estimated 180 tonnes when harvested later in the year.

“Today, we are harvesting our first farm produce and I believe it necessary to make it public.

“It’s our response to the challenge by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to maximise the potential of the institutions and we intend to sustain the process,” he said.

Speaking during the harvest of the farm yields on Thursday, Mohammed said “With the effort of the management and support of the Ministry of Tertiary Institutions, we have been able to reduce the level of encroachment through the farming initiative.

“We began by engaging in commercial farming. We deploy this initiative to reduce the vacant land, discourage encroachment and make food available and affordable to members of the polytechnic communities and Kwarans.

“We started by cultivating 20 hectares, although we initially cleared 10 hectares and another 10 hectares later with the planting of cassava and maize and we will also plant soybeans towards the end of the rainy season, as advised.

“Come next rainy season, the management is planning to cultivate another 20 hectares and we are also considering leasing spaces for farming to interested members of the public.

“Although we are still working on the modality for this arrangement, the management will forward whatever modality we agreed on to the governor who has been encouraging us on this initiative through our supervising ministry.”

500 Edo farmers get FG’s tomato seeds

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500 Edo farmers get FG’s tomato seeds

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has empowered over 500 smallholder farmers in Edo State with seeds, to boost tomato production in the country.

The Edo State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Samuel Owoicho, who distributed the seeds to members of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria in Benin, on Thursday, said the effort was to alleviate the high cost of tomatoes in the state.

While urging farmers to cultivate tomatoes in their backyards for self-sufficiency, Owoicho said the initiative was geared toward making Edo State self-sufficient in tomato production and reducing market prices.

“The Federal Government is dedicated to empowering farmers and ensuring a sustainable future.

“The farmers have been trained on best practices for tomato cultivation. The training will ensure they maximise the yield and quality of their produce.

“Tomatoes are not only a staple in our diets but also a key crop that supports the livelihoods of many farmers across the country.

“Recognising the significance of tomato farming, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has been actively working to provide support and foster growth in this sector,” he said.

The director noted that the ministry was committed to ensuring that tomato farmers had access to high-quality seeds and inputs.

“We have partnered with research institutions and seed companies to develop and distribute improved seed varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases, have higher yields, and are better suited to our climate

“Additionally, we are facilitating access to fertilisers, pesticides, and other essential inputs at subsidised rates to reduce the cost burden on our farmers,” he stated.

In his remarks, the state Chairman of AFAN, Bako Dogwo, commended the Federal Government for the empowerment.

Dogwo noted that the seeds would boost tomato cultivation in the state and the country.

A’Ibom pensioners demand govt palliative

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A’Ibom pensioners demand govt palliative

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Akwa Ibom State chapter, has appealed to Governor Umo Eno to include members in the list of beneficiaries of government palliative packages and the living minimum pension arrangement.

The state NUP chairman, Ekpenyong Ekpo, made the demand during a press conference held at the union’s secretariat at Uko Eshiet Street, Uyo, the state capital, on Thursday.

He lamented that the government had excluded members of the union from previous palliative distribution, adding that such was not good for a union whose members were either old or sick.

“My only point is that the palliative items to help the downtrodden did not reach the pensioners. We believe that if the pensioners, the majority of them very old and sick people, are listed in the palliative arrangements, it will go a long way to keep them.

“The government should also honour the approval of the Federal Government by implementing the minimum living pension,” Ekpo said.

Earlier, the Secretary of the union, Cosmas Essien, who read the press statement text, appreciated the governor for paying the accumulated gratuities to the civil service pensioners up to 2018, Local Government pensioners up to 2014 and retired primary school teachers up to 2012.

He urged the governor to impress on SUBEB to include the NUP in the committee for the payment of gratuity to the retired primary school teachers and the next of kin.

Essien appealed to the governor to establish a pension commission or board, given the autonomy granted LGs in the country.

He added that such a board should be saddled with the responsibility of controlling the direct payment of salaries and pensions to teachers and LG staff.

Essien further said that the commission or board, when established, would create a channel through which pensioners could convey their requests or matters to the governor and get reliable information on issues about them.

The union appreciated the governor for the N20,000 added to all pensioners up to 2011 who were in low pension base of between N1,000 and N5,000 and urged him to implement the consequential adjustment and 20 per cent pension review based on the circular issued by the Salaries and Wages Commission.

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