Katsina State Governor, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda, has inaugurated Pension  Transition Board and Pension Bureau to ensure full implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme in the State

The inauguration ceremony took place yesterday at the Government House Council Chambers in Katsina.

In his address, Governor Radda appointed former Head of Service, Alhaji Garba Sanda Mani, as part-time Chairman of the Pension Transition Board, while Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi will head the State Pension Bureau as part-time Chairman.

The Governor explained that the Pension Transition Board comprises representatives from the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, and the Nigeria Civil Service Union.

Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, in statement, said other members include the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Local Government, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, the State Accountant General, the Director General of the State Pension Bureau, the Auditor General for the state and local governments, and Dr. Aminu Faruq, who will serve as an independent observer. The Executive Secretary of the Board will serve as member and secretary.

Governor Radda outlined the board’s mandate to include maintaining a database of state and local government pensioners exempted from the Contributory Pension Scheme, preparing budgetary estimates for monthly pension payments, and submitting monthly payrolls to the Office of the Accountant General and the Ministry for Local Government for direct payment.

The board will also ensure prompt payment of gratuities to civil servants who retire or die in service.

On the State Pension Bureau, the Governor named its membership to include the Director General and four Executive Directors: Alhaji Musa Rabiu Mahuta, Alhaji Abbati Ibrahim Masanawa, and Usman Shehu, chosen for their experience and integrity.

Other members include the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Head of Civil Service, a representative of the Ministry of Finance, the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, the state chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NULGE, and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission, and the Secretary of the State House of Assembly Commission. Dr. Faruq Aminu will serve as an observer.

The Governor explained that the bureau’s functions include supervising all contributory pension schemes established under the law, approving and maintaining a list of Pension Fund Administrators and Pension Fund Custodians as determined by the National Pension Commission, conducting public awareness on the management of the scheme, and receiving complaints from retired workers against pension administrators.

Governor Radda disclosed that his administration has successfully cleared accumulated inherited liabilities of retirees’ benefits amounting to approximately N30 billion within one year.

He explained that thorough verification reduced the amount to about N24 billion, which has been settled.

The Governor assured that after clearing the last batch of accrued gratuities worth over N20 billion, the government would ensure that no civil servant retires without prompt payment of their benefits.

The Director-General/CEO, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike has commissioned the Agency’s Meteorological Data Rescue Project, a major step toward preserving Nigeria’s climate heritage and strengthening its scientific capacity.

The project is designed to secure invaluable historical weather and climate records, some dating back to the 19th century, which were previously at risk of permanent loss. These include handwritten observation logs, ship logs, and early instrumental records that extend Nigeria’s climate history beyond the digital era and fill critical gaps in existing archives.

By systematically recovering, preserving, and digitising fragile paper records and old media, the Data Rescue Project safeguards Nigeria’s analogue climate history and ensures its long-term accessibility. The rescued data will support improved climate modelling, enhanced forecasting, disaster risk reduction, and more informed policymaking, while providing essential historical context for understanding present and future weather patterns.

Speaking during the inspection and commissioning, Professor Anosike described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future. He noted that the project goes beyond archiving, transforming historical data into a scientific foundation for climate resilience, sustainable development planning, and advanced meteorological services.

The initiative aligns with global best practices of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and reflects NiMet’s commitment to modernisation and digital transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. It also strengthens Nigeria’s contribution to global climate science by making historical atmospheric data available for modern analysis and decision-making.

With the successful commissioning of the project today, NiMet continues to demonstrate leadership in climate data stewardship, digital preservation, and the strategic use of science and technology to support national development.

Four members of the Rivers state house of assembly have reversed their earlier stance and reaffirmed support for the impeachment process against Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, and Ngozi Odu, his deputy.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, the lawmakers said Fubara has shown no remorse over the allegations levelled against him by the assembly.

Last week, the state parliament commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy.

The lawmakers launched the process after Major Jack, leader of the assembly, read gross misconduct charges against Fubara, signed by 26 members of the house.

But on Monday, Sylvanus Nwankwo, the house minority leader who represents Omuma state constituency, and Peter Abbey of Degema state constituency, asked the assembly to suspend Fubara’s impeachment and explore alternatives to his removal from office.

Two days later, on Wednesday, Barile Nwakoh, the deputy minority leader representing Khana constituency I, and Emilia Amadi, who represents Obio/Akpor constituency II, also appealed to their colleagues to halt the impeachment process in the interest of peace and stability.

Nwankwo, who was flanked by his colleagues, said they decided to reverse their position after realising that the governor and his deputy were unwilling to govern in accordance with the constitution.

“We made a plea to our colleagues to seek a political solution to the issues between the Rivers state house of assembly and the governor, but while that appeal was pending, we observed that the governor and his deputy deployed media aides to continuously attack the Rivers state house of assembly, rather than seek a political resolution to this matter,” Nwankwo said.

“We have rescinded our plea; the impeachment process should continue.”

Also speaking, Amadi claimed that Fubara interpreted their appeal for restraint as a sign of weakness.

“We had earlier resolved to consider a political solution, but the governor and deputy governor are ignoring the house and pushing us into the background,” she said.