The pathetic situation of awaiting pension payment beneficiaries of the New Nigerian Newspapers under the Northern States Governors Forum, has reached an alarming stage.
This followed the protracted dilemma of non payment of their benefits amounting to N2.1B just as the death toll of members waiting the payment of their benefits has reached 106 as at January 2025.
These were contained in a statement by Alhaji SadiqTela on behalf of the elders forum and Mr Friday Sule for Joint Union of the New Nigerian Newspapers which also said in spite of the out of Court settlement between the Northern Governors and Albert Iweka and Co which was reached on November 27, 2024 at the Federal High Court as facilitated by New Nigerian Beneficiaries, the Northern governors are still foot dragging over the settled matter thereby dashing the hopes of the beneficiaries that have waited for over 15 years with high expectations for the payment of their entitlements.
The statement explained that the duo of Mr Iweka Esq, and Idi Sule all former staff of the New Nigerian Newspapers had dragged Northern Governors to Court over payments of check off dues and later obtained a garnishee order that freezed the New Capital Properties Limited (NCPL) account where the proceeds of sales of NNN assets was domiciled.
It further said that following the painstaking efforts by New Nigerian beneficiaries, the matter was quashed and the garnishee orders instituted were vacated, a development that allowed all parties to be duly settled with the exception of the New Nigerian beneficiaries.
According to the statement; “More than 100 days after the vacation of the 10 years old scourging court matter, all New Nigerian beneficiaries who served the 19 Northern Governors are still wondering in the wilderness in pains and gnashing of teeth”.
The beneficiaries however, lauded the present Secretary to the Kaduna State Government who has so far soothed their wounds through strategic engagements with the Northern Nigeria Development Company and the Northern Governors Secretariats.
Thery noted that the efforts are consoling, adding however, that the reality of the present economic hardship, the over 800 beneficiaries with almost 10,000 mouths to feed are in serious pains and tears.
The statement further said; “The Northern Governors under the leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State have the deciding powers for the destiny of almost 1000 New Nigerian beneficiaries
“We beg our Northern Governors’ Forum to come to our aid as the death toll of NNN beneficiaries awaiting payment has reached 106 as at January 2025.
“In the Spirit of Ramadan, we beg our Northern Governors to show mercy on our families as most of us are unable to break fast,” it stressed.
