By Adedapo Adesanya

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has proposed a sweeping reform of retirement benefits for officers of the Nigeria Police Force under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), including lifetime monthly pensions equivalent to 100 per cent of their final salary and a gratuity of 200 per cent of their annual emoluments upon retirement.

According to the Leadership newspaper, the measure is part of federal government efforts to address persistent agitation from retired police personnel who say CPS payouts are inadequate.

The reform will see retired police officers receive a monthly pension equivalent to 100 per cent of their final salary for life and gratuity payments amounting to 200 per cent of annual emoluments, benefits that many officers have been clamouring for years.

According to the newspaper, retirees under the scheme have raised concerns over poor pension payouts, with some saying they receive as little as N30,000 to N80,000 monthly, while also lamenting the inadequacy of their lump-sum retirement benefits.

Some other recommendations include increasing active officers’ monthly pension contribution for serving police officers from the current 10 to 20 per cent, while employee contributions will remain at 8 per cent.

The new arrangement, which includes a monthly pension equivalent to an officer’s last salary and increased gratuity benefits, is expected to strengthen financial security for retired personnel and boost the morale of officers still in active service.

The measure is expected to significantly improve Retirement Savings Account (RSA) balances, enhance pension payouts, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the pension structure.

If approved by President Bola Tinubu, the augmentation plan for police personnel will reflect the government’s recognition of the police’s critical role in maintaining national security and public order, as well as the need to ensure officers’ dignity and stability after retirement.

Police pensioners who have been protesting against the CPS insisted that the scheme, which requires both employers and employees to contribute monthly into Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) managed by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), has worsened their welfare.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art is organising a two-day training for media practitioners in the art and culture segment.

The programme is scheduled for June 10 and 11, 2026, at the museum, located at the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.

The theme of the event is New Narratives & Singular Communication in Arts Journalism: The Museo del Prado Experience.

The training is being put together to enable participants to refine their storytelling and reporting skills in arts journalism; learn audience-focused, ethical, and impactful communication techniques; gain fresh perspectives on media engagement in the creative sector; and connect with peers and build valuable professional networks.

To be part of this initiative, journalists are required to apply through this link on or before May 25, 2026, as spaces are limited, and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

The organisers said this specialised workshop offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the world’s leading museum communication teams. The programme will be led by a highly respected and accomplished expert from the Prado Museum, bringing global insights and practical strategies to the Nigerian arts journalism landscape.

“At YSMA, we are excited to bring this opportunity to the Nigerian media community and to support the growth of thoughtful, innovative, and globally relevant arts journalism.

We encourage you to also share this opportunity with colleagues and peers who are passionate about covering arts and culture,” a notice from the organisation signed by its Head of Corporate Communications and Visitors’ Services, Mr Solomon Nkwagu, stated.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday confirmed the killing of a senior ISIS leader, Mr Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, in an overnight operation carried out by the United States and Nigeria.

President Donald Trump had earlier announced the elimination of the notorious terrorist via a post on his Truth Social.

Later, in a statement today, Mr Tinubu praised the action, describing it as “a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism.”

“Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State,” he said in the statement.

According to him, early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin.

He commended the partnership between Nigeria and America in waging war against terrorists, thanking his US counterpart “for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort.”

“I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation,” the Nigerian leader added.