News
What my abductors wanted to do with me- Freed Corps member
Freed National Youth Service Corps member, Rofiat Lawal, who was abducted along the Benin-Ore Expressway last Tuesday, has disclosed that her abductors threatened to force her into marriage and take her to Sokoto if her family refused to pay a ransom.
She also said one of the abductors, who are Fulani, took her NYSC uniform and wore it.
Rofiat was abducted on her way to the place of primary assignment in Oyo State while coming from Edo State.
The abductors initially demanded a ransom of N20m but after several negotiations, they reduced it to N5m.
A friend of Rofiat, identified as Agbakwara, who raised the alarm about her abduction on his Facebook page, had on Saturday narrated how she was eventually freed after her family paid a ransom of N1.1m to an account purportedly belonging to a family of another kidnapped victim.
Rofiat said on Sunday that the kidnappers waylaid the vehicle she boarded along the Ore area of the expressway and disclosed that out of the 10 passengers in the vehicle, six of them were kidnapped and led into a bush along the expressway.
She added that valuable items such as money and mobile phones were taken from all the victims, including her NYSC uniform, which one of the kidnappers wore.
The corper said they trekked for seven hours on the first day they were abducted before they were allowed to rest.
She said, “On our way coming from Benin to Ore, they stopped our vehicle. I was sitting at the front and what I heard was gunshots. When I raised my head, I saw three people with guns in front of the vehicle and three people at the back. The driver tried to escape but he could not. So, they asked us to lie down and took six of us.
“They led us into the bush, searched us and collected our phones and money. Some of the victims were market women and they collected all their money, which ranged from N600,000 to N1.2m and so on, but I was with N15,000, which they took from me. One of them took my NYSC uniform and wore it.
“After they collected our valuables, we trekked from 3 pm to 10 pm in the bush. During the day, they would ask us to sit somewhere in the forest and at night, they would ask us to start trekking. That was how we spent the four days with them.”
In a significant move that would surely gladden the hearts of beneficiaries, the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has finalized the payment of another instalment of pension arrears arising from the NGN32,000 increment approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR in 2024.
Announcing the payment, the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Tolulope A. Odunaiya reiterated the unwavering commitment of the federal government towards the full settlement of the outstanding balance accruing from the increment. The Executive Secretary further emphasized the unflinching determination of the Federal Government to proceed with its programmes aimed at improving the welfare of pensioners in line with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to a statement on Monday, signed by Olugbenga Ajayi, Head, Corporate Communications, the latest instalment, which totals NGN8.6 billion, covers all 148,625 eligible Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensioners across the Police, Civil Service, Parastatals, as well as the Customs, Immigrations and Prisons Pensions Departments of the Directorate.
The payment, Ajayi stated, is in continuation of the Federal Government’s settlement of arrears accruing from the second pension increment of NGN32,000 approved by Mr. President in July 2024. PTAD had earlier fully settled the arrears of the first increment of 20/28% approved by the President, which took effect from January 2024.
The breakdown of the payment is as follows:
1. The sum of NGN5.7 billion was paid to 59,342 eligible pensioners under Parastatals Pensions Department (PaPD);
2. The sum of NGN2.3 billion was paid to 71,084 eligible pensioners under the Civil Service Pensions Department (CSPD);
3. The sum of NGN310 million was paid to 9,579 pensioners under the Police Pension Department (PPD); and,
4. The sum of NGN276 million was paid to 8,620 pensioners under the Customs, Immigration and Prisons (now Correctional Service) Pension Department.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and Founder/President of Dangote Group, is retiring as chairman of Dangote Sugar Refinery, effective today, June 16, 2025, after leading the board for 20 years.
To take over from Dangote, is Arnold Ekpe, a seasoned executive with extensive experience in Africa’s banking and industrial sectors who has been appointed chairman
Dangote’s retirement comes shortly after his 68th birthday, which was marked by tributes from industry leaders and Nigerian President Tinubu, as well as symbolic cakes from major banks.
“In line with the principles of good corporate governance and succession planning, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc hereby announces the retirement of our esteemed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, Alhaji Aliko Dangote (GCON), effective June 16, 2025,” read the statement released by the company.
Dangote founded the company in 2005. Under his leadership, the Dangote group has grown into one of the biggest brands in Nigeria’s sugar industry.
Arnold Ekpe brings an expansive experience having held executive roles across the banking and industrial sectors in Africa.
“Following a rigorous selection and transition process, the Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Arnold Ekpe, Independent Non-Executive Director, as the new Chairman of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc. effective 16th June 2025. We welcome Mr. Ekpe to his new role and look forward to the next chapter in our Company’s journey under his leadership. We also express our deep appreciation to Alhaji Aliko Dangote for his years of exemplary service and unwavering commitment to excellence,” the statement read.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in the North East, has endorsed President BolaTinubu for a second tenure.
The development took place on Sunday, during the North East Consultative Meeting held at the International Conference Centre in Gombe.
At the event, the chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, alongside his counterparts from Borno and Yobe States, and other key stakeholders of the APC in the North East Zone, unanimously endorsed the Tinubu-Shetima ticket for the 2027 General Elections.
Governor Yahaya commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for demonstrating bold leadership and capacity in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges within a span of less than two years in office and noted that the President has taken decisive measures aimed at restoring Nigeria’s economic stability.
He called on Nigerians to give the President another chance to consolidate on the progress recorded so far.
In his remarks, the Coordinating Chairman of the APC North East Consultative Forum and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, stressed that the North East has no justification not to support the Tinubu administration, highlighting the region’s stake in the current government, which includes the Vice President and the National Security Adviser, among others.
Governor Buni commended the Federal Government’s sustained efforts in addressing insecurity in the region and stated that President Tinubu deserves a second term to fully reposition the country.
Earlier, the Chairman of the North East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, lauded President Tinubu’s achievements in the last two years. He emphasized the importance of national unity, stating that no region in the country can thrive in isolation.
Governor Zulum reaffirmed the strong working relationship between President Tinubu and Vice President Shetima, describing their synergy as mature and intact.
He appealed to stakeholders in the North East to continue supporting APC-led administrations at all levels, insisting that continuity is crucial for the nation’s progress.
The event was attended by APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Coordinating Minister of Health Prof. Ali Pate, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tugga, Minister of Livestock Development Idi Muktar Maiha, Minister of Transport Saidu Ahmed Alkali, former Governor of Bauchi State Mallam Isa Yuguda and former Governor of Adamawa State Bala James Ngilari, among others
-
News2 years agoBreaking: Tinubu’s authentic ministerial nominees
-
News2 years ago“Anytime we want to kill terrorists, President would ask us to take permission from France but they were killing our soldiers-” Niger Republic coup leader
-
News2 years ago“I’m leaving the Catholic church because Bishop Onah is oppressing me,” says Okunerere
-
News3 months agoSenate to speed up conclusion of Nigeria Forest Security Service Bill
-
News2 years agoDokpesi and the Gazebo Mystique
-
News2 years agoRadio Nigeria’s veteran broadcaster Kelvin Ugwu dies three months after retirement from service
-
News1 year agoPersons against Allagoa’s reforms behind protests at NSITF
-
News2 years agoTsunami: Tinubu orders dissolution of managements, boards of MDAs, to sack all Buhari’s political appointees