KASHIM SHETTIMA: THE SOUR SIDE FOR A CONSPIRACY

By: Inuwa Bwala.

Nobody is trying to force the Vice President Kashim Shettima on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a running mate in 2027.

While it remains Mr President’s prerogative to pick a working partner, it remains a fact that, he should have known the value of Kashim Shettima, having worked with him at very close quaters in the last two years.

Far beyond this, the President is so committed to his covenant with his vice and does not need the ongoing circus show to stick to it.

Those orchestrating for a change in the ticket are perhaps afraid of the evident cause for continuity, hence the desperation to create a make belief that the Vice Presidential slot is open for contest.

Several attempts have been made to drag Shettima and his supporters into needless controversies so as to make an issue out of their blind postulations.

And ever since I got the winds about plans to make an issue out of the perceived plot to substitute the Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 Presidential elections, I knew it is a matter of time for backlashes, as witnessed at the APC Zonal rally in Gombe on Sunday.

Reading the body languages of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu and his praise choristers, everyone within the hall knew that, there was a grand conspiracy to downplay Kashim Shettima’s position in the endorsement: which was the primary motive for the rally.

And while the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje was quick to play safe sensing the possible consequences, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and the Zonal Vice Chairman Mustapha Umar were not so wise to recognize danger.

The governor escaped with jeers, but the APC vice chairman was not so lucky: he received the beating of his life from irrate delegates.
Those who try to link Borno state Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, with the mob reaction to the failure to endorsed Shettima were just being mischievous, as it was spontaneous

Those who witnessed it told me that, both Governor Yahaya and the APC Zonal chairman had ignored calls from delegates to recognize Shettima as an inseparable part of the ticket, which resulted in the jeers for Yahaya and the beating for Mustapha.
While it is not trying to justify the attendant violence and disruption of the rally, one should not fail to point out to leaders, the wisdom in harkening to popular demands at an occasion like this.

Of course, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State could not have done anything at the particular stage, even if they did not approve of the violence.
Common sense dictates that, as the political atmosphere becomes increasingly charged in the face of perceived plans to shortchange Shettima, who has endeared himself to Nigerians, speakers at such functions should learn from theGombe experience.

KASHIM SHETTIMA: THE SOUR SIDE FOR A CONSPIRACY

Harmonizing Retirement Age in Nigeria: A Call for Consistency
By Raphael Oni

The retirement age in Nigeria has sparked intense debate, with various government agencies and institutions operating under different retirement ages. This inconsistency raises concerns about fairness, equity, and the need for a unified approach. Recently, the organized labour sector, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has emphasized the need for a consistent policy across all government agencies and institutions.

The Current State of Retirement Age in Nigeria

Different government agencies and institutions in Nigeria have varying retirement ages, including:

• National Assembly Service Commission: 65 years
• Judicial arm of government: 65 years for judges
• Foreign Service: 60 years for officers
• Nigeria Police Force: 60 years for personnel
• National Pension Commission (PenCom): 50 years, extendable to 60 years with approval

This disparity raises questions about fairness and equity. Why should employees in different agencies have different retirement ages? A uniform policy would ensure equal treatment and dignity for all employees.

Benefits of Harmonization

Harmonizing retirement age in Nigeria would bring several benefits, including:

• Consistency and fairness: A uniform retirement age would ensure equal treatment for all employees.
• Simplified administration: A single retirement age would simplify administrative processes and reduce confusion.
• Improved planning: A consistent retirement age would enable employees to plan their careers and retirement more effectively.
• Enhanced morale: A fair and equitable retirement policy would boost employee morale and productivity.

International Best Practices

Many countries have a uniform retirement age for public servants, such as:

• United States: 65 years (with option to retire earlier with reduced benefits)
• United Kingdom: 65-68 years (depending on the scheme)
• Canada: 65 years (with option to retire earlier with reduced benefits)
• Australia: 65 years (with plans to increase to 70 years)
• Morocco: 60 years (with discussions to raise to 65)
• South Africa: 65 years (new reform)

Proposed Harmonized Retirement Age for Nigeria

Based on international best practices and Nigeria’s economic and demographic context, a harmonized retirement age of 60-65 years could be considered. This would allow employees to retire with dignity and adequate pension benefits while ensuring sustainable pension obligations.

Agency-by-Agency Analysis

• Foreign Affairs: Harmonizing retirement age would ensure equal treatment for Foreign Service officers.
• National Assembly Service Commission: Harmonization would ensure consistency across all government institutions.
• Judicial: Given the importance of judicial experience, the retirement age may be justified, but harmonization would ensure equal treatment.

Challenges and Considerations

Implementing a harmonized retirement age policy would require careful consideration of:

• Pension sustainability: Ensuring sustainable and adequately funded pension obligations.
• Employee morale: Balancing the needs of employees affected by changes to their retirement age.
• Economic context: Considering the economic implications of a harmonized retirement age policy.

Conclusion

Harmonizing retirement age in Nigeria is a necessary step towards ensuring fairness, equity, and consistency across all government agencies and institutions. A uniform retirement age policy would promote simplicity, improve planning, and enhance employee morale. The government should consider adopting a consistent policy that applies to all, taking into account international best practices and Nigeria’s economic and demographic context.
Raphael Oni a seasoned journalist, Editor-in-chief of Diplomatic Extra, a Specialized Magazine

Harmonizing Retirement Age in Nigeria: A Call for Consistency

WHITHER BORNO SOUTH STAKEHOLDERS: A REJOINDER

BY: Yamta Bulama Bata Mshelia.

Amidst the very wide acclaim, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has been getting for his leadership style; a news item captioned ” Borno South Residents Urge Action Against Discriminatory Politics “, authored by one Ishaya Malgwi, writting on behalf of a self styled group; BORNO SOUTH STAKEHOLDERS, caught my attention in the social media.

In the said piece Ishaya Malgwi, the convener of Borno South Stakeholders: an amorphous socio-political group comprising mainly Southern Borno elites in diaspora, tried painting the people of Southern Borno as ungrateful for the present government in Borno state under Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

I had earlier read another write-up by Alhaji Yusuf Adamu, expressing appreciation to the governor for the numerous projects executed in Southern Borno: Biu in particular.
With Alhaji Yusuf Adanu’s piece, one would have been happy that contrary to Ishaya Malgwi’s postulations, the governor has done something worthwhile in the southern part and one can afford to ignore the Borno South Stakeholders under Ishaya Malgwi, but for the fact that as a stakeholder by all ramifications, and I am from Southern Borno residing in Biu, I could not resist the urge to correct the the erroneous impression being created by the so-called Borno South Stakeholders.

As a witness to some of the projects executed across Southern Borno which run contrary to the claims by the self styled group called Southern Borno Stakeholders, I have always had my suspicion about this group, which registered as agents of unity and development, but which has metamorphosis into an opposition: that does not see anything good in the government of Borno state.

I have interacted with so many people who were unsuspecting lured to join the group, most of whom opted out after realizing that it was more of a selfish self serving assemblage much more than a collection of development strategists.

I have also keenly followed their programmes and shall expose their real motives in the fullness of time.

I hasten to state that no governor, in the recent history of Borno state, has done what governor Zulum has done or is doing in Southern Borno in terms of development.
I stand to be corrected, but I am also aware that Southern Borno has its fair share of representation in the government, and I know that so many projects have been completed and are ongoing in Southern Borno.

I have made contact with like minds, and we are compiling the list of projects executed in each local government area in Southern Borno.
I am sure that, except perhaps those working in Ishaya Malgwi’s conclave, most Southern Borno stakeholders may not agree that we are mere onlookers on the political scene either.
It is needless to clarify that in Zulums government, the chairman of the ruling party is from Southern Borno: and one will wonder what political relevance Malgwi is talking about.

To my limited knowledge, I know that the Deputy Governor is from Southern Borno, the Deputy Speaker of the state Assemnly is from Southern Borno, the Deputy Chief of Staff is from Southern Borno, there is a Commissioner from each Local Government, except Gwoza and Chibok which had problems, there is a sizeable number of Advisers, SSAs, SAs and Technical Advisers from each Local Government and untill recently the Head of Service is from Southern Borno and many others.

I know, as a matter of fact, that many Southern Borno State indigenes have gained appointments through the instrumentality of the Borno State Governor.
We may concede it to Borno South Stakeholders as a right to express their opinions and orchestrate their sentiments because we are approaching another political phase, and the polity is already heating up.
But it is completely inaccurate to state that Professor Babagana Umara Zulum is running a government of exclusion to the detriment of Southern Borno.

We should learn to appreciate that which is good even when it does not favour us, just as we are previledged to also criticize.

Mshelia is an indigenes of Hawul Local Government.

WHITHER BORNO SOUTH STAKEHOLDERS: A REJOINDER