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Wike Moves To Resolve Pension Challenges …As CPS Bill Passes Ist Reading At RSHA
In line with his campaign pledge to address the challenge faced by pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has sent an executive bill to the Rivers State House of Assembly to reform the scheme.
The bill is part of efforts to review of the state Contributory Pension Scheme of 2012 as a way of addressing the plight of pensioners and civil servants in the state.
The Tide learnt that the new bill is designed to reform the old law towards to allow civil servants and pensioners have easy access to their retirement benefits.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, who read the letter of the governor on the floor of the Assembly, yesterday, said that the new bill was fashioned to review the previous law.
Tagged, Rivers State Pension Reform Bill 2019 (HA 23), Ibani said that the bill was aimed at putting to an end the sufferings of pensioners in the state.
He explained that the Contributory Pension Scheme introduced by the previous administration led to the exclusion of some pensioners from the state pension scheme due to the deficiencies in the enabling law.
The speaker said that the bill, when passed, would address the concerns of all retired employees of the Rivers State Government.
Also speaking, Majority Leader, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, who presented the bill on the floor of the House, opined that when passed into law, it would provide a smooth pension system that would address the needs of all civil servants and eliminate challenges in the old contributory pension scheme.
Amaewhule said that the Rivers State Pension Reform Bill from the governor seeks to repeal the Rivers State Contributory Pension Scheme Law of 2012.
The bill seeks to repeal the Rivers State Contributory Pension Scheme for Employees in the Public Service Law (No.7 of 2009) and the Rivers State Contributory Pension Scheme for Employees Law (Amendment No.1 of 2012).
He announced that when passed, the bill would substantially eliminate the impediments associated with the implementation of the pension scheme in the state.
The House leader further stated that the bill would eradicate the inherent challenges with the existing legal and policy frameworks for effective pension administration in the state and put smiles on the faces of pensioners.
According to the new bill, contribution of both state and local government councils in the state shall be charged on consolidated revenue fund.
According to the provisions of the new bill, “contributions payable by any other employer under this law shall be a charge on statutory allocation and subvention.
“An employee shall not make any withdrawal from his retirement savings account. Every employee in Rivers State Public Service shall retire at the age of 60 years.”
The new bill also provides that “a holder of retirement savings account shall, upon retirement, utilize the balance standing to the credit of his retirement savings account through programmed monthly or quarterly withdrawals calculated on the basis of an expected lifespan.”
It further recommended that “there shall be annuity for life purchase from an life insurance company.”
Finally, “the rate of contribution by the employee shall be 7.5 percent and 7.5 percent by employer. And the employer can agree to bear the full burden of the monthly emoluments of the employee,” the bill statement.
Shortly after it was read, the bill passed its first reading, as the House adjourned till tomorrow for more deliberations on the matter.
The second reading of the bill will take place tomorrow at 10am to allow for debate by lawmakers before a public hearing in line with the Standing Orders of the House.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.