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Retired Career Ambassadors Call for Improved Pension

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Retired Career Ambassadors Call for Improved Pension

Retired Career Ambassadors Call for Improved Pension

…Insist N50, 000-N110, 000 Pensions, Short of Economic Reality

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has been asked to review the pension paid to retired career ambassadors as the current payment of between N50, 000 and N100,000 has fallen short of present economic reality.

This was the position of scores of ambassadors who thronged to the book launch written by one of their own, Ambassador Mohammed Ibrahim at the weekend in Abuja.

The book titled: “With Heart and Might”, detailed the 33 years’ experience of  the writer in the Foreign Service.

The book reviewer, Ambassador Brownson Dede, who was Assistant Secretary General for the Organisation of African Unity (now African Union) and Ambassador to Ethiopia and Eritrea, said: “After 35 years and representing the country at the highest level in the international fora, career ambassadors retired on a paltry pension of between N50,000 – 100,000 is just inadequate.”

Also Read: North East Stabilization and Development Masterplan will…

Dede, who was also the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to OAU, and 

Director General in the Ministry of Integrationn and Cooperation in Africa in the Presidency before his formal retirement in 2003, added that: “This is unthinkable for people who have served their country meritoriously, with heart and might, sometimes putting their lives and that of their family in danger as contained  in the memoirs of Ambassador MK Ibrahim.”

Ambassador Pius Ayewoh, who was Ambassador to Algeria and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN in Geneva, Switzerland also added his voice to the appeal, insisting that something urgently needed to be done to express the appreciation of Nigerians to the services offered by these former envoys.

He noted that this situation has placed some of the retired ambassadors in embarrassing situations like not being able to pay for medical upkeep and maintaining accommodation.

He called on government to do something urgently to ameliorate the sufferings of retired career ambassadors, who are faced with geriatric health challenges and rising cost of living, that cannot be met from such paltry monthly pensions. 

The ambassadors told our correspondent that an appeal/request for a pension review for career ambassadors was submitted to the federal government in 2017 and that it continued to be source of concern that five years after nothing has been said or done about it.

Retired Career Ambassadors Call for Improved Pension

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NAF Airstrikes Destroy Terrorist Enclave in Marte Axis of Lake Chad

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NAF Airstrikes Destroy Terrorist Enclave in Marte Axis of Lake Chad

By: Zagazola Makama

The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) on Monday conducted a precision air interdiction mission at a terrorist enclave in Kollaram, within the Marte axis of the Lake Chad region.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the l airstrike, which was executed at approximately 0610 hours, followed credible intelligence and surveillance reports indicating the presence of terrorist elements and their logistical infrastructure in the area.

The sources said that the post-strike Battle Damage Assessment (BDA), shows that the air interdiction resulted in the destruction of key terrorist structures and critical logistics, in the Lake Chad corridor.

A senior military source, who confirmed the operation disclosed that the strike was part of ongoing efforts to maintain aerial dominance and sustain pressure on terrorist enclaves in the North East theatre of operations.

“The operation was carried out with precision munitions tp ensure the neutralisation of only hostile targets. The destruction of these facilities significantly hampers the enemy’s ability to regroup or launch coordinated attacks in the region,” the source said.

He said that preliminary intelligence suggests panic and disarray within the terrorist ranks, with reports of survivors fleeing towards nearby islands for cover.

The source added that further reconnaissance is ongoing to track fleeing elements and prevent any regrouping attempts.

NAF Airstrikes Destroy Terrorist Enclave in Marte Axis of Lake Chad

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Friday 18th, Monday 21st Declared Public Holidays for Easter

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Friday 18th, Monday 21st Declared Public Holidays for Easter

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has declared Friday, 18th and Monday, 21st April 2025 as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter Celebration.

The Easter festival comes after the 40 days fasting (Lent), with a holy weekend starting with Good Friday, Sunday (the day of Resurrection of Christ) and Easter Monday, all showcasing the virtues of sacrifice and resurrection.

Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo while making the holidays declaration on Tuesday on behalf of the Federal Government, extended heartfelt congratulations to Christians across the country on the joyous occasion.

He emphasized the importance of the holidays to Christians, which embody the virtues of the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ, having to die for the redemption of man.

In a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the minister also called on Nigerians to use the holiday period to pray for the peace, unity, and stability of the nation.
He reassured citizens of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to foster national growth and development.

He encouraged Nigerians to extend love and goodwill to their neighbours through acts of kindness and generosity, wishing
all Christians a blissful Easter celebration, while extending warm holiday greetings to all Nigerians.

Friday 18th, Monday 21st Declared Public Holidays for Easter

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ActionAid Nigeria Describes Zike Massacre, Another Shameful Cycle of Violence

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ActionAid, Stakeholders Recommends Ways to Improve Journalism

ActionAid Nigeria Describes Zike Massacre, Another Shameful Cycle of Violence

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has condemned the massacre in Plateau State that left over 40 persons dead, describing it as yet another chapter in the shameful cycle of violence.

AAN, in a statement on Tuesday by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu said it
is “outraged by the savage attack on Zike community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, which left over 40 innocent Nigerians dead in a single night. This cold-blooded massacre, carried out in the early hours of Monday, April 14, is yet another chapter in the shameful cycle of violence that has plagued Plateau State.”

It insisted that: “This was not a sudden or unpredictable tragedy. Community members, raised alarms ahead of the attack. They warned of threats. They called for help. But once again, they were ignored. The attackers stormed Zike around midnight and operated for nearly two hours- killing, burning and destroying- while security forces were nowhere to be found.”

The statement further read that: “ActionAid Nigeria condemns this heinous act in the strongest possible terms and holds the Nigerian government accountable for its continued failure to protect lives of Nigerians in Plateau state and across the country.

“We stand in total and unshakable solidarity with the people of Zike and every community across Bassa, Bokkos, and Mangu that has suffered these atrocities. These are not numbers; these are human beings, families, farmers, and children. Nigerians who deserve to live in peace and dignity.

“ActionAid Nigeria demands immediate and concrete action from both the Federal and Plateau State Governments. These include:

“A thorough, independent investigation into the Zike massacre- followed by prosecutions.

“The urgent deployment of well-equipped and accountable security personnel to protect high-risk communities.

“Direct humanitarian intervention for survivors: shelter, food, trauma care, and medical support.

“A clear and time-bound strategy to end impunity and prevent further violence, with full community participation.

“Structural peace building measures to address the root causes of the crisis- land disputes, ethnic tension, state neglect, and militarised impunity.

The statement further added that: “ActionAid Nigeria also calls on President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, and the Chief of Defence Staff to go take action. Condemnations after each attack mean nothing if they are not followed by action.

“ActionAid Nigeria will continue to stand with the affected Nigerians, and amplify their voices.”

ActionAid Nigeria Describes Zike Massacre, Another Shameful Cycle of Violence

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