NASS Invasion: Speakers' Conference Chairman Commends Osinbajo's Timely Action

The Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa has commended the acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, for his timely action on the invasion of the National Assembly by the men of the Department of State Security (DSS) on Tuesday.

Men of the DSS invaded the National Assembly and prevented staff and lawmakers from going into the complex early Tuesday morning.

But Professor Osinbajo in a swift reaction ordered the sack of the DSS Director General, Lawal Daura for what the Presidency described as unathorised action.

Rt. Hon. Obasa who is also the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly described Professor Osinbajo's action as very timely which has not only succeeded in cooling the already heated polity but has also brought credibility to the Federal Government both at home and abroad.

"The acting President has acted timely and this has confirmed that the Presidency has no hand in the invasion of the National Assembly. This has brought credibility to the government and show its sincere commitment to rule of law and justice," the Chairman of Conference Speakers said.

Rt. Hon. Obasa condemned the invasion describing it as a desecration on the sanctity of the Parliament. "The action of the DSS is condemnable because it's a desceration on the sanctity of the Parliament. But the acting President has restored the pride of the Parliament through his timely action," he said.

The Chairman of the Speakers Conference further reiterated that he and his colleagues had warned in the communique issued at the end of their meeting in Lagos which ended in Lagos at the weekend that the Nigeria Police and in essence other security agencies should be more professional and apolitical in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities by desisting from invading and occupying legislative houses in the country.

"This invasion, coming barely 48 hours after our meeting, is sacrligeous and inimical to the growth of democratic values and ideals because the Parliament is the anchor on which Democracy stands. Any attempt to desecrate it, will have negative lasting impact on Democracy," he said.

LASG’s workers to get gratuity 3 months after retirement

AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Government is to introduce an efficient pension scheme for its workforce , an official said on Sunday.

Under the new regime , retirees will be paid their gratuity ( lump sum) within three months after retirement .

The Director -General , Lagos State Pension Commission ( LASPEC) , Mrs Folashade Onanuga , told the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) that the administration would soon unveil the new regime.

“Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode is working towards a three -month gratuity collection regime.

“Our amiable governor is working towards a regime that all pensioners will be able to access their gratuities within three months after retirement , ” she said.a

Onanuga also said that the governor was committed to the welfare of retirees as he had cleared the backlog of pensions.

She said : “Gov. Ambode is fully committed to retirees ’ welfare as he is working towards clearing pension backlog the administration inherited under the old pension scheme known as Defined Benefit Scheme ( DBS ) before the Contributory Pension Scheme ( CPS ) was introduced in 2004.

“He has cleared the pension backlog up till 2015."*

About N37 billion has been released by Gov. Ambode for 9 , 045 retirees since he assumed office.

The director-general , however , has advised retiring workers in the employ of the state government to study the two options available to them at retirement carefully before taking decisions .

According to her , the two options are Programmed Withdrawal and Annuity.

“The retirement options should be studied carefully before signing any deal with Pension Fund Administrators ( PFAs) .’’

AOnanuga , who described some PFAs as hookwinkers, said they had been deceiving retiring employees into taking wrong decision for their own selfish reasons.

“There are still pension ` fraudsters ’ parading themselves as PFAs and the Lagos State Government will put concrete measures in place to ensure that its retirees do not fall victims.

“It is important to note that pension fraudsters are still out there , retirees must be vigilant and courageous not to sign negative deals ; be wise , ’’ Onanuga warned.

According to her , the commission in order to guide prospective retirees in the state public service between July and December also held a seminar on retirement benefits and documentation on June 8.

“The commission ensured that the 1 , 200 workers slated for retirement between July and December participated."

Onanuga emphasised that it was the responsibility of the prospective retirees to study and master the features.

She said, for instance, a retiring employee ought to have signed up a PFA and his or her monthly contributions remitted into his or her Retirement Saving Account ( RSA).

“Lagos State Government approved 13 PFAs for its workers , among them are AIICO Pension Managers , ARM Pensions, Leadway Pensure PFA and Nigerian Life and Provident Company ( NLPC )

NAN