Nigerian Newspapers: FG’s retirees groan under N230bn pension arrears

In Vanguard’s Nigerian Newspapers review programme, Today in the News, Vanguard reports that the agonies of retirees from the Federal Civil Service appear to be getting worse as the Federal Government has failed to release funds for payment of accrued pension rights in the first half of 2024, H1’24, which ended on Sunday.

Vanguard reports that the Federal Government had reneged for the full year 2023, FY ’23, as no funds were released despite budgetary provisions.

Reports on the reactions trailing the multiple suicide bombings in Gwoza LGA of Borno state permeate the frontpages of the dailies. 

The Punch reports that the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has grounded a US-registered Gulfstream g650er jet belonging to a leading Nigerian bank, over alleged unpaid import duty. 

The newspaper says electricity consumers have expressed worries over the adverse impact of the planned two-month power outage in Ondo and Ekiti states.

Daily Trust reports that at least 10 journalists have been arrested in the last one year through the controversial cybercrimes (prohibition, prevention etc) act 2015. 

The newspaper says Dikko Radda, governor of Katsina, has queried Abdulmumini Usman, Emir of Katsina, over the non-participation of some district heads in the recent Durbar staged during the Eid-El-Kabir festival.

The Guardian reports that banks are trading cash with point of sale (POS) operators as automated teller machine (ATM) galleries in major cities are without cash. 

The newspaper says the death toll from the multiple suicide bombings in Borno has risen to 23.

This Day reports that President Bola Tinubu said perpetrators of the Borno suicide attacks will be made to face justice. 

The newspaper says the Federal Government has concluded plans to commence the cross river and Akwa Ibom sections of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road.

The Nation reports that Ibrahim Lamuwa, permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, who is under probe over alleged sexual harassment, has embarked on indefinite leave. 

The newspaper says the consumer credit scheme of the Federal Government will take off with a projected n180 trillion available as loans to beneficiaries.