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Dr. Chioma Nnenna Ejikeme: The Pensioners’ Angel
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
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“My husband is dying,” El Rufai’s wife raises the alarm
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El Rufai is currently facing challenges in detention, and constantly bleeding from both his nose and mouth, indicating serious health issues.
In a public statement to mark El Rufai’s “150th Day in incarceration,” one of his wives, Aisa, made the claims and appealed to the international community to intervene over what she described as her husband’s prolonged detention and alleged denial of due process.
She argued that the former governor’s continued incarceration amounted to “punishment before trial” and posed a threat to Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Aisha also called on foreign governments, multilateral organisations and international human rights groups to closely monitor the legal proceedings involving her husband.
However, many people have taken to the social media to ask Aisa where she was when her husband, as governor of Kaduna State, was persecuting thousands of citizens, especially Christians from Southern Kaduna.
So others have wondered where Aisa was when her husband, then governor of Kaduna State threatened foreign elections observers that they would be taken back to their countries if they try to interfere in Nigeria’s electoral process.
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NiMet concludes 10-Day climate risk management training for agric professionals
The 10-Day train-the-trainer workshop on Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension (CRMAE) organized by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has come to a successful end.
The training workshop was organized by NiMet, in collaboration with some partners, including International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Sasakawa Africa Association, and others.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Prof. Charles Anosike, Director General/CEO of NiMet, described agricultural extension officers as the critical link between climate services and farmers, noting that they translate weather and climate information into practical guidance on planting dates, crop selection, and water management.
He said the training reflects the collective commitment of NiMet and its partners to ensuring that climate information is accessible, understandable, and useful to farmers across Nigeria.
Professor Anosike noted that the Nigeria-adapted Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum will strengthen the capacity of extension personnel to deliver climate-informed advisory services. Citing evidence that effective, localized extension services can increase agricultural productivity by 20–30 percent while reducing vulnerability to climate shocks, he urged participants to cascade the knowledge gained through extension networks, farmer groups, cooperatives, and rural communities.
He stressed that the programme’s success would ultimately be measured by improved farmer livelihoods, stronger climate resilience, and enhanced national food security.
The NiMet boss also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to institutionalizing and promoting the widespread adoption of the Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum as part of the Agency’s efforts to strengthen climate services for agriculture and contribute to national food security.
In a closing remark on behalf of the AGRA Country Director, Dr. Esther Ibrahim described climate risk management as an essential component of modern agricultural extension. She encouraged participants to apply the knowledge acquired during the training to provide farmers with timely, reliable, and actionable climate information that supports informed decision-making and resilient agricultural production.
Others at the event include Mr. Pierre Sibiry, ILRI Representative; Dr. Jim Hansen, Resource Person; Dr. Godwin Atser, Country Director, Sasakawa Africa Association; and Dr. Victoria Pillah of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The workshop concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants, who are expected to cascade the training across extension networks and farming communities, helping to bridge the gap between climate science and farm-level decision-making while improving farmers’
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Ex-President Jonathan expresses sadness over death of Amaechi’s mother
Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a former Nigerian president, has expressed sadness over the passing of Dame Ezinne Mary Amaechi, mother of former Governor of Rivers State and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice presidential candidate, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Jonathan expressed his feelings Saturday, in a condolence message signed by media aide, Ikechukwu Exe and sent to Nationwide Reports.
The former president his expressed his sympathies to Amaechi, the entire Amaechi family, and all those mourning the late matriarch.
He described the death of a mother as a profound loss, noting that although death is inevitable, the enduring legacy of a life dedicated to faith, family and service continues to inspire and comfort those left behind.
Dr. Jonathan observed that the late Mrs. Amaechi’s profile reflected a life of exemplary devotion to God, family and community. He noted that her reputation as “a woman of faith, compassion and quiet strength, as well as her commitment to promoting peace, unity and service, earned her the admiration and respect of all who knew her.”
He prayed that God Almighty would grant Rt. Hon. Amaechi and the entire family the strength, comfort and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, while urging them to “draw solace from the cherished memories of her exemplary life and the enduring values she imparted to her family and community.”
The former President also prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed matriarch.
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