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Ebonyi workers jublilate as Nwifuru clears payment of gratuities from 1996 to 2023
Ebonyi workers jublilates as Nwifuru clears payment of gratuities from 1996 to 2023
By Francesca Hanger
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has successfully cleared the lingering gratuities of Ebonyi workers from 1996 to 2023
Disclosing this in a statement, Engr. Jude Chikadibia Okpor, Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Information & State Orientation stated that the last batch of retirees scheduled for payment of gratuities by the Governor Francis Nwifuru led administration have received their payment.
According to the Statement: “As at Thursday 9th May, 2024 the last batch (phase 11) which comprises of spill over retirees between 1996 to 2021 were cleared and paid with a total number of Two Hundred and fifty six retirees receiving their payment in full, bringing the total gratuity amount paid in that category to #394,907,784.91 kobo.
“Also, cleared and paid during the 7-day exercise were retirees between (2022 – 2023), with a total number of Two Hundred and and Seventy Seven (277) Retirees cleared and paid in that category, with a total Gratuity paid, amounting to #1,030,972,870.05.
“It is indisputably correct to say that the Ebonyi State Government under the pragmatic leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, FNIOB, GGCEHF has practically cleared ALL arrears of gratuity owed retirees from the creation of the state to 2023, with a total Gratuity sum of Five Billion, Thirty Six Million, Two Hundred and Eleven Thousand, One Hundred and Four Naira, Six Kobo (#5,036,211,140.6) paid
.to a total of Two Thousand, and Ninety Nine (2,099) Retirees. “Further breakdown of the total sum and beneficiaries revealed that Governor Nwifuru led administration in the first phase of the exercise paid a total of Three Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty Five Naira, Sixty Four Kobo (3,610,330,485.64) to One Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty Six (1,566) Retirees, who patiently awaited their entitlement between (1996 – 2021).
“While a total number of Five Hundred and Thirty Three (533) Retirees were cleared and paid a total Gratuity Amount of One Billion, Four Hundred and Twenty Five Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira, Ninety Six Kobo (#1, 425,880,654.96) in the second phase.
“With this summation, it has become clearer than ever that, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, FNIOB, GGCEHF, the most humane and workers’, friendly Governor of Ebonyi State, does not only make promises but keeps to the last letters of his promise.”
Recall that Governor Nwifuru had before now promised Ebonyi workers that the processing of gratuity of a potential retiree would promptly commence once he/she proceeds on pre- retirement leave.
“We therefore call on Ebonyians to continue to reciprocate His Excellency’s good gestures through prayers and loyalty to his administration as his government girds loins for better gestures in favour of Ebonyi people.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep grief over the passing away of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.
Reacting to the development on Saturday Mbah said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.
“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.
He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
No fewer than seven people lost their lives on Saturday following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The deadly incident occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, a notorious route that cuts through the Sambisa Forest—an area long plagued by insurgent activities.
The victims were part of a convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military from Damboa to Maiduguri.
According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the explosion struck as the convoy—organized to provide safe passage through the volatile region—was underway. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road serves as a vital link between the state capital and several local government areas in southern Borno, including Chibok and Gwoza.
For years, the route remained closed to civilian traffic due to persistent terrorist threats. However, under the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, the road was reopened, with military escorts deployed to accompany travelers twice weekly after clearing the area for explosives.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of the corridor, despite consistent military presence. The blast also comes just days after Governor Zulum publicly raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram activity in the state, highlighting the persistent threat the group poses to peace and development in the region.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while investigations and security operations in the area continue.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.
It was gathered that the vehicle was parked around 1:05pm opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the official attended prayers at a nearby mosque.
Security source, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the ONSA official returned from the mosque only to find the vehicle missing.
According to him, a sources said the theft was immediately reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m., leading to a swift response by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command promptly activated a stop-and-search operation at various checkpoints and across all entry and exit points in the capital city.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits and recover the vehicle.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen Hilux.
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