By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has disclosed that it has paid about N5.12 billion for 90,689 pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

In a statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications Unit of PTAD, Mr Olugbenga Ajayi, on Monday, August 11, 2025, it was disclosed that, “This payment reaffirms the administration’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that pensioners receive their due entitlements in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.”

This development, Business Post reports, is coming after Mr Tinubu approved measures aimed at improving the welfare of pensioners under the DBS.

In the statement today, PTAD said it paid N276.0 million as one-month pension arrear of 8,626 pensioners under the Customs Immigration and Prison Pension Department (CIPPD), N619.6 million in two-month pension arrears of 9,681 pensioners in the Police Pension Department (PPD), N408.7 million in one-month pension arrear of 12,773 pensioners under the Civil Service Pension Department (CSPD), and N3.8 billion as two-month pension arrears of 59,609 pensioners in the university sector of Parastatals Pension Department (PAPD).

The agency said, “In keeping with its assurance to clear outstanding pension liabilities as funds are disbursed by the federal government, the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has finalised the disbursement of N5.12 billion to 90,689 pensioners across the four pension departments, reaffirming its continued dedication and unwavering commitment to pensioners’ welfare.”

Employees of Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group Plc have taken their commitment to community impact beyond the trading floor, volunteering their time and expertise to combat child malnutrition in underserved Lagos communities.

Through Project BLOOM (Bringing Life to Our Overlooked Minors), a multi-stakeholder initiative co-championed by NGX Group and Health Emergency Initiative (HEI) Nigeria, in partnership with the Lagos State Government, NGX Group staff volunteers joined healthcare workers at the inaugural outreach in Aiyetoro Primary Health Centre, Yaba, to distribute life-saving therapeutic foods, conduct health screenings, and train caregivers on preparing nutritious meals with locally sourced ingredients.

According to UNICEF, Nigeria ranks second globally in the percentage of children affected by stunting, with 32 per cent of children under five stunted and over two million suffering from severe acute malnutrition, many without access to treatment.

Project BLOOM targets severely malnourished children and their caregivers across seven underserved Lagos communities of Ifako Ijaiye, Agege, Iwaya, Makoko, Bariga, Ilaje, and Ajegunle, combining nutritional aid, health support, and education to drive long-term change.

The chief executive of NGX Group, Mr Temi Popoola, represented by Group Chief Finance, Investment and Strategy Officer, Mr Adebayo Opatade, said, “At NGX Group, we believe the growth of our markets must be matched by the growth of our communities.

“Project BLOOM shows how our platform, partnerships, and people can work together to address urgent social challenges. By empowering employees to lead from the front, we turn commitment into sustainable impact.”

Executive Director of HEI, Dr Pascal Achunine, added: “We cannot sit on the sidelines while our children suffer from preventable malnutrition. Project BLOOM is about immediate action today while creating a sustainable path forward for caregivers and their children.”

Speaking on behalf of the Lagos State Health District IV, Dr Oludolapo Shotunde described the outreach as: “A timely and commendable intervention that aligns perfectly with our health priorities and community needs”. Honourable Oladimeji Saheed, representing the Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area, commended the “bold vision and compassion” of the programme and pledged ongoing community support.

Project BLOOM, which aligns with NGX Group’s CSR pillars of Community and Workforce, supports UN SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Beneficiaries will be monitored over a three-month period in collaboration with local health authorities to track recovery and inform future interventions.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have filed a suit against the Niger State Governor, Mr Umar Bago, over the alleged threat to shut down a private radio station in the state, Badeggi FM Radio.

In the suit, marked FHC/L/CS/1587/2025, and filed on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP and NGE sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the governor and NBC from further harassing, intimidating, and/or threatening to shut down Badeggi FM radio, revoke its licence, and profile the station’s owner.

“Unless the reliefs sought are granted, the governor will continue to threaten, intimidate, and harass the radio station and its owner and may weaponise the NBC against the station,” the groups said.

They asked the court to determine “whether by Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and Section 2(1)(t) of the NBC Act, the NBC has the legal duty to protect Badeggi FM from the ongoing intimidation from the governor.”

The plaintiffs also appealed to the court to declare “that by the combined provisions of Section 22 of the Constitution and Section 2(1)(t) of the NBC Act, the NBC has the legal duty to protect Badeggi FM station and other broadcasting outlets in Nigeria from any threat, intimidation and harassment”.

In the suit, SERAP and NGE argued that “the failure and/or neglect of the NBC to protect and defend the independence of Badeggi FM radio against arbitrary executive interference and ongoing intimidation constitutes a breach of its statutory duty to ensure fair, independent, and lawful broadcasting practices in Nigeria.”

They noted that “the ongoing intimidation, and threat by Mr Bago to strip Badeggi FM station of its licence, further threat to demolish the station’s premises and profile its owner is unlawful and a violation of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom”.

According to them, “the allegations of inciting violence against Badeggi FM and its owner are vague, unfounded and unsubstantiated and apparently made to silence the radio station”.

Recall that last week, SERAP and NGE asked the governor to reverse his directive of an immediate revocation of the operational licence of Badeggi Radio station. He accused the privately owned station of consistently inciting the public against the state government through its broadcasts.

Governor Bago issued the order during an expanded All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus meeting held at the Hauwa Wali Multipurpose Hall in Government House, Minna.

According to him, such conduct was not only unprofessional but a deliberate attempt to destabilise the current administration’s efforts under the New Niger Development Agenda.