News
Otti signs law stripping former Abia governors, deputies of pensions
Abia State governor, Alex Otti, has assented to the Abia State of Nigeria Governors and Deputy Governors Pension Repeal Law of 2024 recently passed by the Abia State House of Assembly.
Assenting to the bill, the governor who explained that the bill is an executive bill, thanked the State House of Assembly for expeditiously passing the bill and assured the House of the maximum support of his administration.
He said it was his belief from the onset that government was not going to continue with the practice of paying pensions to former governors and deputy governors in the state as the money would have been better used in offsetting the backlog of pensions owed Abia retired workers since 2014.
“I want to make a few things clear, one that even before we came onboard a lot of people who had followed our views understood that we were not going to continue with the practice of paying pensions and allowances to this set of former government officials. A lot of people had confronted me to remind me that very soon I will also be a former governor and I agree, ” Otti said.
While stressing that government is not about self-interest, the governor said he believed that repealing the pensions for governors and deputy governors was the right step to take as it is all about good governance and stewardship.
“It’s all about good governance. It’s all about stewardship to our people and I strongly believe that any leader who believes that leadership is a business has lost his way.
As far as I am concerned, leadership is stewardship and if you now want to take up all the resources that belong to the people you are leading, I’m not sure that is morally correct,” Gov Otti stated.
According to him: “Government is not about self-interest and it’s actually self-interest that destroys government, and if you accuse me of belonging to a class, I would readily admit, but add that I have happily committed class suicide because I would have benefitted if this law had continued.
But we all know that it’s not the best for the country, for this state, for the workers who were hitherto owed for months, and for pensioners who we are still struggling to defray several months and years of arrears from 2014. It’s more appropriate for us to use the funds that would have been used to pay former elected political office holders.”
Otti appreciated the House for the cordial relationship existing between it and the executive arm of government which according to him is built on trust, respect and understanding that they are working for the common good of the people.
Presenting the bill for his assent earlier, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emereuwa, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Austin Meregini, said the bill repeals Law No. 4 of 2001 which empowers the state government to pay pensions to governors and deputy governors in the state.
He thanked the governor for working harmoniously with the State House of Assembly.
Again, the national grid has collapsed again making it a record eleventh blackout experienced by Nigerians.
A BusinessDay report quotes data obtained from the Nigerian System Operator’s portal (niggrid.org), as indicating that the collapse occurred at 1:56 p.m.
This incident follows a pattern of instability, with the grid suffering about 12 consecutive collapses in 2024,” the report says.
It adds that the cause of the latest failure is yet to be disclosed.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
L R: Chairman of the APC in Kano State, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, former commissioner for Rural and Community Development in Kano State, Hon Abbas Sani Abbas and the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin when the ex-commissioner joined the APC at the residence of Senator Barau in Kano on Friday.
Abbas Sani Abbas, former Commissioner for Rural and Community Development in Kano State, has officially dumped the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made during his visit to a prominent APC leader in Kano, where he pledged his allegiance to the ruling party.
Hon. Abbas, known for his grassroots mobilization and dedication to community development, explained his decision to switch parties.
“I believe the APC offers the platform to achieve the vision of a better Kano and a stronger Nigeria. My move is guided by a desire to contribute more effectively to good governance and development,” he stated during his visit.
The defection was celebrated by top APC leaders in Kano, including the party’s state chairman, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, popularly known as Ɗan Sarki, Jikan Sarki, and other key stakeholders.
Welcoming Hon. Abbas to the party, the APC leader commended his decision and assured him of full support. “Hon. Abbas Sani Abbas is a dedicated grassroots mobilizer and a leader committed to the service of humanity. We are proud to have him join our great party,” he remarked.
Speaking further, the APC leader emphasized the party’s commitment to inclusivity and development. “Together, we will continue to promote the values of good governance, inclusivity, and service to humanity. This is a significant moment for our party in Kano as we strengthen our ranks with capable individuals like Hon. Abbas,” he added.
Prince Abdullahi Abbas also expressed confidence that the former commissioner’s experience and dedication would add value to the party’s efforts in Kano State and beyond.
Party loyalists and political observers in Kano have hailed the defection as a significant boost for the APC, particularly in its grassroots mobilization efforts. Many believe Hon. Abbas’s entry into the APC will solidify the party’s influence in rural communities across the state.
Hon. Abbas concluded by expressing optimism about his new political journey. “I am fully committed to working with the APC leadership to ensure a brighter future for Kano State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Bola Tinubu is expected to leave Nigeria for an international event in Abu Dhabi.
He is expected to participate in the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2025).
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Presidential spokesman on Friday, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, invited President Tinubu to attend the Summit, which will take place in the emirate from January 12 to 18.
“The Summit will bring together global leaders to accelerate sustainable development and advance socioeconomic progress.
The event, ‘The Nexus of Next; Supercharging Sustainable Progress,’ will enable policymakers, business, and civil society leaders to explore pathways to fast-track the transformation to a sustainable economy and evolve a new era of prosperity for all.
“ADSW, a testament to the power of collaboration, has been held annually for over 15 years. It provides a global platform to foster multi-stakeholder cooperation in addressing global challenges and accelerating growth.
“It has birthed high-value agreements and strategic partnerships between governments, industry leaders, and clean energy pioneers worldwide, driving impactful alliances and advancing the sustainability agenda worldwide.”
Onanuga said the President would use the summit to stress his administration’s reforms, including those related to energy sufficiency, transportation, public health, and economic development.
The Nigerian leader and his entourage would also meet with the emirate’s leadership to discuss issues of interest affecting the two nations.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and other senior government officials will accompany the President.
“He will return to Nigeria on Thursday, January 16.” Onanuga said.
At the time of filing this report, Preparations to take off were being made.
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