Connect with us

News

Dr. Chioma Nnenna Ejikeme: The Pensioners’ Angel

Published

on

Please Kindly Share This Story

By Bonaventure Phillips Melah

 

Although the history of pension and fate of pensioners in Nigeria only leaves the taste of ash in the mouth, there has been a positive deviation from the past and a continuing improved attention by the federal government on pension matters for some years now.

The system has however witnessed its greatest improvement under the supervision of Dr. Chioma Nnenna Ejikeme who was appointed Executive Secretary/CEO of the Pension Transitional Administration Directorate (PTAD) in January 2019 by then president Muhammadu Buhari and reappointed by President Bola Tinubu.

Dr. Chioma’s reappointment by Tinubu did not come as a surprise to the staff of the organization and Nigerians, in view of her quality service delivery which was powered by the deployment and use of high-tech innovations, compassionate administrative tactics, open-door policy and regular dialogue between her management and end users- pensioners themselves which takes place at the Abuja headquarters as well as zonal offices of the Directorate.

It was Dr. Chioma’s initiative and under her leadership that Nigeria launched the Micro Pension Scheme which allows self-employed persons and persons working in organisations with less than three employees to save for the provision of pension at retirement or incapacitation.

The government also prioritised the payment of pension arrears owed staff of current and privatized/defunct Federal agencies for which N54 billion was released to settle outstanding 33% pension arrears (the 33% pension arrears date back to 2010 when the minimum wage was increased to N18,000); Delta Steel Company (liquidated in 2005): 3,542 NITEL pensioners were placed on payroll, ending a 13-year wait for their entitlements;.

In the area of recoveries, PTAD recovered cash and non-cash assets totaling N16 billion previously trapped in various insurance companies and underwriters managing the pension funds of Federal Parastatals and Universities.

In July, the management of PTAD under Dr. Ejikeme wrote letters to all pensioners under the Directorate, updating them on their records and advised them to indicate any complaint if necessary in order to ensure they are given best service. The letters were dispatched to the pensioners who signed register in the register. Apart from being another way of improved service, the strategy helped to ensure that only living pensioners were authenticated as there was no room for proxy signature.

An astute administrator, the PTAD CEO is holds a Bachelor of Surgery (MB.BS) degree from the University of Nigeria, UNN, Nsukka, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Lagos. she served as a Medical officer in the Nigerian Air Force and was part of a team that coordinated, improved and facilitated health care delivery services within the Nigerian Air force. In 1997, Dr Ejikeme took a leave of absence from the Ministry of Defence to take up appointment as Commissioner for Health in Anambra State where she established a Central Drug Revolving Fund for the State Ministry of Health, established a Traditional Medicine Board which was the first to be established in the history of the state as well as re-organised the revenue collection procedure to ensure an effective and affordable health care delivery system.

With her past performance, especially at PTAD, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme has joined other rare gems, the very few amazons like the late Dr. Dora Akunyile, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr. Amina Mohammed and others to stamp her feet on the sands on time.

It is for people like her, who have also shunned corruption and other trappings of public office to give the people the best of their lives throughquality service, that we have unwavering hope that Nigeria sooner than later, rise up and take her rightful place as the best destination in Africa and the world.

Dr. Chioma Nnenna Ejikeme is therefore a Nigeria’s Pride as captured in my Book THE BEAUTIES OF NIGERIA   

Bonaventure Phillips Melah is an Abuja vased journalist and Author of many books. bonamelah123@gmail.com

08936062975

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Dangote leads marketers to reduce fuel price

Published

on

Please Kindly Share This Story

Nigerian filling stations have reduced their fuel pump price, five days after Dangote Refinery’s gantry price cut.

A market survey on Saturday and Sunday showed that Eterna, NIPCO, AA Rano and Ranoil filling stations have all dropped their fuel pump price to between N1,280 and N1,300, from N1,340 per litre in Abuja and environs.

This means that the aforementioned filling stations cut their fuel pump price by about N35 and N55 per litre.

However, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, retail outlets have not reduced their pump price, which is currently N1,335 per litre.

EDangote Refinery-backed MRS filling stations, on Friday, reduced their fuel price by N76 to N1,241 per litre.

The domestic fuel price reduction followed Dangote Refinery’s cut in the price of petrol at the gantry to N1,175 per litre after a global drop in crude oil prices.

Crude oil prices stood at $76 and $80 for West Texas Intermediate and Brent blends as of the time of filing this report.

It will be recalled that days after the reported completion of a peace deal with United States President, Donald Trump, Iran again shut the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a slight surge in oil prices as of Sunday morning.

 

Continue Reading

News

Police: Igboho not involved in rescue of kidnap victims

Published

on

Please Kindly Share This Story

The Nigerian Police has said Sunday Igboho was not involved in recent rescue operations of the abduction victims in Igboho community.

It would be recalled that a video went viral on Saturday where community members trooped out in their hundreds to celebrate and glorify Igboho, attributing a recent release of abducted villager to his stern warning to kidnapper to free abductees or face his wrath.

But the police has officially debunked claims that the hostages have been safely released. Furthermore, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police has denied that Sunday Igboho was involved in recent rescue operations.

Yhe Oyo State Police Command dismissed these claims as unsubstantiated, urging the public to rely only on official channels rather than social media rumors. The police also clarified they have no evidence of Igboho’s participation in successful rescue efforts.

 

Continue Reading

News

Fubara: Fathers are society’s foundation

Published

on

Please Kindly Share This Story

Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, has extolled the virtues of unconditional love and immeasurable sacrifice as the defining hallmarks of fatherhood and the bedrock upon which families and society are built.

In a goodwill message to commemorate the 2026 Father’s Day celebration, Governor Fubara paid glowing tributes to fathers for serving as the pillars that hold families together and, by extension, strengthen communities across Rivers State and Nigeria.

According to a statement by Onwuka Nzechi, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor on Media, Fubara noted that across the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State, fathers labour daily to provide for their families despite the economic and social challenges confronting the nation. According to him, Father’s Day is a special occasion set aside to honour the quiet love and selfless sacrifices that fathers make across generations and throughout the world.

“A father’s love is quiet strength. It is the man who leaves home before dawn and returns after dusk so his children can eat and go to school. It is the man who denies himself so his family can have. It is the firm hand that corrects and the open arms that forgive. That love is the invisible thread that holds our homes together, and that sacrifice is the foundation of our society.

“I have seen fathers labour under the sun, paddle through floods and endure hardship, all so that the next generation will have a better chance than they did. That is heroism without medals,” he said.

Governor Fubara emphasised that when fathers stand, families stand; when families stand, communities stand; and when communities stand, Rivers State stands. He stressed that responsible fatherhood produces stable homes, while responsible sons and daughters help to build peaceful neighbourhoods, harmonious communities and a prosperous state.

The Governor pledged that his administration would continue to draw inspiration from the resilience and sacrifices of fathers in building a Rivers State worthy of their commitment and labour.

He prayed that God would grant every father, grandfather, uncle, guardian and mentor good health, strength and long life to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Father’s Day, celebrated in Nigeria and many countries around the world on the third Sunday of June, highlights the invaluable contributions of fathers to the family and society at large.

 

 

Continue Reading

Trending