News
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
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News
Gov Alex Otti visits Nnamdi Kanu in Sokoto prison
Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor, on Sunday paid a visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
The governor was accompanied by officials of the Sokoto State Government during the closed-door visit.
Nnamdi Kanu was recently moved to Sokoto after he was convicted on terrorism-related charges and handed a life sentence by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Governor Otti had earlier promised to pursue every lawful and political avenue to ensure that Kanu gets justice. Sunday’s visit is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Abia State Government regarding his case.
Details of the meeting were not made public as of the time of this report.
News
Terrorists abduct bride, bridesmaids in Sokoto attack
Armed terrorists have abducted a bride-to-be, her bridesmaid, and eight other residents from Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State
The Sokoto abduction occurred around 1:30 a.m., according to residents, when the attackers stormed the village. Most of the victims were women, with only one man also taken.
One resident sustained injuries and is receiving medical treatment. Villagers told reporters that the bride was preparing for her wedding scheduled for later that morning when the raid struck, plunging the community into shock and mourning.
A community member described the attack as “tragic,” noting the delay in security response. “Security operatives were alerted immediately, but they only arrived about an hour after the bandits had fled,” he said, expressing frustration.
Business
Dangote Refinery to supply 1.5bn litres of petrol monthly
….Writes NMDPRA, Engages Marketers to Stabilise Fuel Market
Photo caption: L R: Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Vishwajit Sinha; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird; President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced plans to supply one billion five hundred million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) monthly to the Nigerian market in December 2025 and January 2026, a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted nationwide fuel availability through the festive season and into the New Year.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, disclosed the plans at the weekend, noting that the refinery will make available 50 million litres of PMS daily beginning December 1.
“In line with our commitment to national wellbeing, and consistent with our track record of ensuring a holiday season free of fuel scarcity, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will supply 1.5 billion litres of PMS to the Nigerian market this month. This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment. We will supply another 1.5 billion litres in January and increase to 1.7 billion litres in February, which translates to about 60 million litres per day,” Dangote said.
Photo caption: L R: President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Speaking during a visit by the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser complex, he stated that the facility currently has adequate stock and is producing between 40 and 45 million litres of PMS daily. He added that the daily supply of 50 million litres should dispel long-standing claims that domestic refineries lack the capacity to meet national demand.
Dangote also revealed ongoing engagement with petroleum marketers to strengthen distribution systems, including expanding the use of CNG-powered haulage.
“Our priority is to ensure Nigeria receives the products it needs. This is not driven by profit motives; it is about guaranteeing the availability of essential energy products. It is similar to the transformation we delivered in the cement sector,” he added.
He further noted that the refinery is progressing with its expansion plan to reach a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day. More than 100,000 workers are expected to be involved in the expansion of both the refinery and the fertiliser complex. Dangote emphasised that the Group remains committed to its vision, driven by the strong public support for the company’s role in shaping Nigeria’s economic development.
During the visit, the Managing Director of SSDC, Usoro Offiong Akpabio, commended Dangote’s leadership and his continued contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capability, national energy security and long-term economic competitiveness.
She described the South-South region as Nigeria’s natural energy corridor, with vast crude oil reserves, gas infrastructure, maritime assets, agro-industrial activity and emerging industrial clusters. She noted that deeper collaboration between the region and the Dangote Group could unlock opportunities in product distribution, CNG infrastructure, petrochemicals, agriculture, and employment creation.
Akpabio added that such partnerships would advance the Federal Government’s energy stability agenda and position the South-South as a strategic growth hub for the Dangote Group.
“As the statutory development body for the South-South, SSDC is mandated to drive regional economic development, infrastructure integration, human capital advancement, and private-sector–led growth. In this regard, we stand prepared to support State-level policy and regulatory support for Ease-of-doing-business across our six states. Enabling environments for Dangote Group’s expansion into strategic sectors such as gas processing, agro-industrial value chains, renewable energy, logistics, and export-oriented manufacturing,” she said.
In a letter from the refinery’s Managing Director, David Bird, to the Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, the company reaffirmed its readiness to host NMDPRA officials onsite at the refinery from December 1st to verify and publish its daily supply volumes. The refinery also sought the Authority’s support to ensure unhindered importation of crude, feedstocks and blending components, as well as smooth vessel loading for product evacuation.
“In the spirit of full transparency to the public we are willing to publish our daily production and stock volumes (online and print media),” Bird stated. “We seek the full support of NMDPRA to allow Dangote refinery to import our crude, feedstocks and blending components unhindered as well as support the lifting of our products by vessel. We continue to experience delays in vessel clearance which impacts not only the refinery operations but also our customers, adding unnecessary costs and inefficiencies”.
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