News
Telecoms Employees of Nigeria Appeals to Buhari For Payment of Pension Buy–Out
By Ikhili Monday EBALU, Benin city
Former workers of the defunct national carrier, Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and Mobile Telecommunication Limited (M Tel) under the auspices of former Telecoms Employees of Nigeria have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to order the payment of their pension buy – out.
The association in a statement in Benin signed by its President Mr. Gabriel Oluti lamented that they were only paid five years pension buy-out when the company was privatized by former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration as the 25 years pension buy-out as severance.
He stated that President Buhari recently approved N45billion severance package to be paid to workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways while leaving out that of former NITEL and M-TEL workers, insisting that NITEL was also liquidated like the Nigeria Airways after its privatization exercise failed.
He disclosed that former workers of the telecommunication companies whose entitlements and pension buy-out has been hanging with the Federal government were now languishing in abject poverty while many of them have died due to lack of proper health care.
They disclosed that about N90billion staff pension fund belonging to their members was lying idle in government account after the federal government’s liquidation of NITEL and M-tel staff pension scheme through the Bureau of Public Enterprises in 2006 and stressed that they were entitled to pension buy-out for 25 years as severance.
It would be recalled that the Association of former Telecoms Employees of Nigeria (ATEN) obtained a judgment at the liquidation Court which they entered as interested party as in the matter of Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 in the suit No FHC/ABJ/PET/16/2013 at the Federal High Court at Abuja as secured creditors who were qualified for pension buy-out for 25 years.
They alleged that the approval given to PTAD by the Minister of Finance to pay monthly pension was not acceptable as it completely violates the liquidation judgment of 25 years pension buy – out just as they insisted that the pension buy-out be removed from PTAD to the BPE as done in the case of Nigeria Airways noting that PTAD was the only statutorily establishment to pay monthly pension.
They contended that the delay in migrating from PTAD to BPE forced the ATEN to approach the ECOWAS Court of Justice for an order of mandamus against the Federal government and its concerned agencies.
Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
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Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
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I am writing to felicitate with Your Excellency, Atku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice-President of Nigeria (Zege Mule u Tiv & Wazirin Adamawa)
on the occasion of your 79th birthday anniversary.
I join your teeming admirers globally in celebrating you on this special day, an adorable Statesman and my Boss.
I recall with nostalgia, how countless generations have benefited from your generosity, wealth of experience and benevolence including being my key benefactor even as a young lawyer for my professional success.
Your Excellency, may your special day be filled with grandeur befitting your illustrious career.
I wish you continued success, prosperity, and an unending stream of accolades.
It takes a remarkable kind of fortitude to remain active in public life well into one’s golden years. Your dedication and patriotism remain truly exceptional.
May you enjoy a day of reflection on your many years of fruitful service to humanity. It is my prayer that God Almighty grants you many more healthy, fruitful, and fulfilling years ahead, and continues to endow you with wisdom, strength, and the grace to keep contributing to our nation-building.
Happy Birthday, Your Excellency.
Michael Kaase Aondoakaa SAN.
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
TAU reaffirms commitment to globally competitive learning
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