News
Abiola family, Kingibe may receive over N400m settlement
Going by the resolution of the Senate that the winner of June 12 1993 election, Chief Moshood Abiola and his running mate, Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe, should be declared winners of the election and paid their entitlements, the Federal government may have to pay more than N400 million as compensation to the late Abiola’s family and Kingibe.
Both were the presidential candidate and running mate in the June 12, 1993 election that was annulled by the regime of former military President Ibrahim Babangida.
The Senate, at plenary on Thursday, resolved that Buhari should declare the duo ex-president and ex-vice president respectively and pay all entitlements due them.
Sunday Tribune conducted an investigation into how much the family of Abiola is likely to be paid as emoluments and entitlements duo in compliance with the resolution of the Senate.
According to the 2007 Remuneration Act for political officeholders, the president is entitled to an annual basic salary of N3,514,705, while the vice president earns N3,031,572.50.
Since the two officers are not entitled to monetisation of most of their allowances, they are only entitled to 50 per cent of their basic salary as hardship allowance, 10 per cent leave allowance, 250 per cent as constituency allowance and 300 per cent of basic as severance gratuity.
For Abiola, his emoluments for the four-year period of October 1, 1993 and September 31, 1997 will amount to N68,185,277 made up of: basic salary- N14,058,820; hardship allowance-N7,029,410; leave allowance- N1,405,882; constituency allowance- N35,147,050 and; severance gratuity- N10,544,115.
Kingibe, on the other hand, would earn N58,763,506.50 from: basic salary- N12,126,290; hardship allowance- N6,063,145; leave allowance- N1,212,629; constituency allowance- N30,315,725 and; severance gratuity- N9,094,717.
In addition, through Decree 32 of 1999, Nigeria commenced payment of entitlements to former presidents, their deputies and former parliamentary leaders.
This transformed into the remuneration of former Presidents, heads of Federal Legislative Houses and Chief Justices of the Federation (and other Ancillary Matters) Act of 2001.
In it, former presidents and heads of state were entitled to N4.2 million annually, while past vice presidents and past chiefs of general staff were entitled to N3 million per annum for their upkeep.
“As from the commencement of this Act, all former-Presidents and Heads of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (in this Act referred to as “former Heads of State”) shall be-(i) paid the sum of N350,000 per month as up-keep allowance; and (ii) entitled to the perquisites of office specified in Part I of the Schedule to this Act; and (b)Vice-Presidents and Chiefs of General Staff of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (in this Act referred to as “former Vice-Presidents”) shall be- (i) paid the sum of N250,000 per month as up-keep allowance; and (ii) entitled to the perquisites of office specified in Part II of the Schedule to this Act.”
The Act also made provisions for domestic staff, security aides, vehicles and up-keep allowances for families of deceased presidents.
Since he died on July 7, 1998, Abiola would not be entitled to an officer, not below the rank of a chief administrative officer; a personal secretary not below Grade Level 12; three to four armed policemen; one Department State Service (DSS) officer not below Grade Level 10 as an Aide-de-Camp to be attached for life and paid by the State Security Agencies; three vehicles to be bought by the Federal Government and liable to be replaced every four years; and drivers to be paid by the Federal Government and other benefits.
Kingibe, however, will henceforth be provided with: an officer not below the rank of a chief administrative officer; a personal secretary not below Grade Level 10, two to three armed policemen; one DSS officer not below Grade Level 8 as an Aide de Camp to be attached for life and paid by the State Security Agencies; two vehicles to be replaced every four years.
He will also have drivers paid for by the Federal Government; free medical treatment for them and their immediate families within Nigeria; treatment abroad where necessary; 30 days’ annual vacation within and outside Nigeria at Federal Government expense; a modestly well-furnished and equipped office in any location of their choice in Nigeria; a well-furnished three-bedroom house in any location of their choice in Nigeria.
According to the 1999 law, amended in 2008 and 2010, remuneration of the former leaders shall be subject to review whenever there is an increase in the salary of the serving President and Vice-President; and the Federal Government shall in its annual budget make provision for the remuneration of former Heads of State and former Vice-Presidents.
Abiola’s family would be entitled to the payment of the sum of N1,000,000 per annum, which would amount to N18 million calculated since 1999 for the up-keep of the spouse and education of the children his up university level.
The money spent on education of his children still in school when he died would also be calculated and paid.
In 2008 and 2010, the Act was amended to give Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, (RMAFC) the mandate to fix remunerations of the ex-leaders from time to time in line with economic realities, especially whenever the salary of the serving President is raised. Federal Government also makes provision for the remuneration of former heads of state and former vice-presidents in its annual budgets.
In the case of death, the family of an ex-president is entitled to the sum of N1 million per annum payable in the sum of N250,000 per quarter, and the deceased former Vice-President’s the sum of N750,000 per annum payable in the sum of N187, 500 per quarter. The allowances applied to the upkeep of the spouse and education of the children of deceased former leaders up to the university level. (Tribune)
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.
The Guild of Private Broadcast Managers has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Guild’s National President, Ambassador Patrick Uzoyi-Peters, JP MNGRM, the guild described the milestone as a testament to the NUJ’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
“For seven decades, the NUJ has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape, advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists, and ensuring that the voice of the people remains strong and unyielding. Your resilience, professionalism, and dedication to ethical journalism have been instrumental in fostering transparency, accountability, and national development”.
Celebrating this historic achievement, the Guild’s President, Uzoyi-Peters recognized the sacrifices and contributions of journalists across the nation who work tirelessly to inform, educate, and empower society.
The Guild reiterated it commitment towards collaborating with the NUJ in promoting responsible journalism and strengthening the media industry for the greater good.
While wishing the NUJ continued success, growth, and greater impact in the years ahead, President Uzoyi-Peters prayed that the anniversary serve as a renewed call to uphold the principles of truth, fairness, and press freedom in our collective pursuit of a more informed and just society.
News
Family Marks one-year Memorial of Late APC Chieftain, Ojougboh with Charity Outreach
By Ikenna Oluka
The family of the late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, led by his wife, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, marked his one-year memorial anniversary with a series of charitable initiatives aimed at honoring his legacy of philanthropy and service to society.
The memorial activities included the donation of school books and bags to pupils of Erigbe Primary School, in Agbor within the Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education.
The outreach also included extension of financial assistance to patients at Central Hospital, Agbor, and the provision of toiletries, cash, and food items to children at the Salve Regina Children’s Home, Agbor.
The outreach was carried out under the ‘Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation’, a family-led initiative established to immortalise him and continue his lifelong commitment to education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Speaking during the event which took place recently, Mrs. Ojougboh reaffirmed the family’s dedication to sustaining the ideals of the late APC chieftain, describing him as a man who strongly believed in education and giving back to society.
“We are here to celebrate the life of my husband, Late Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who passed on a year ago. In his honour, we decided to give back to society. He was a man who valued education and was always willing to help others. It is only fitting that we continue his legacy through acts of generosity,” she stated.
Honouring his passion for education
The first visit was to Erigbe Primary School, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education. The Foundation distributed school bags, writing materials, and food packs to the pupils. The family encouraged the pupils to take their education seriously and strive to become responsible citizens.
Supporting patients at Central Hospital, Agbor
At Central Hospital, Agbor, Mrs. Ojougboh and her entourage moved through the medical wards, offering financial support to patients to assist with their treatment costs. The hospital staff and beneficiaries responded with prayers and words of gratitude for the kind gesture.
Reaching out to orphaned children
The outreach team also visited Salve Regina Children’s Home in Agbor where they donated cash, food items, and toiletries to the children.
The Matron of the home expressed her deep appreciation to the Ojougboh family, commending their commitment to sustaining the late politician’s legacy of compassion and social impact.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s enduring legacy
Reflecting on her late husband’s contributions to society, Mrs. Ojougboh emphasised that his legacy of generosity and service to humanity would not be forgotten.
“Dr. Cairo was a selfless man who touched many lives. His contributions to the Nigerian political landscape, his mark in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, and the country at large, will always be remembered. He may be gone, but his impact will continue to be felt for generations,” she said.
The Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation has pledged to continue supporting education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in his memory, ensuring that his vision for a better society lives on.
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