Death Toll Hits 106 As Nigerian Newspaper Retirees Cry Out Over Nonpayment Of N2.1bn Benefit
Juliet Vincent, Kaduna
Beneficiaries of New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN) under Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) have lamented the protracted dilemma of nonpayment of their benefits amounting to N2.1 billion, stressing that the death toll of members waiting for this benefit has reached 106 as January 2025.
A statement signed by Alhaji SadiqTela on behalf of Elders Forum and Friday Sule for Joint Union of the New Nigerian Newspapers says “Following the recent out-of-Court settlement between Northern Governors Versus Albert Iweka and Co which was adopted on the 27th of November, 2024 by the Federal High Court as facilitated by New Nigerian beneficiaries, expectations have been high, given the extreme poverty caused by the pending benefits. ”
“Recall that the duo of Barrister Iweka and Idi Sule, all former workers 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 New Capital Properties Limited (NCPL) account where the proceeds of sales of NNN assets was domiciled.
“Following the painstaking efforts by the New Nigerian beneficiaries, the matter was squashed and all garnishee orders instituted earlier vacated, with all parties duely settled except New Nigerian beneficiaries,” it stressed.
He pointed that “more than 100 days after the vacation of the 10 years old court matter, all New Nigerian beneficiaries who served the 19 Northern Governors are still wandering in the wilderness in pains and gnashing of teeth.
The worker however lauded the incumbent Secretary to the government of Kaduna State have so far soothed our wounds via strategic engagements with the Northern Nigeria Development Company and the Northern Governors Secretariat.
“These efforts are Consoling, but given the reality of the economic hardship, the over 800 beneficiaries who have almost 10,000 mouths to feed are already in tears,” he added.
He maintained that “the Northern Governors Forum under the leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State have the deciding powers for the destiny of almost 1000 New Nigerian beneficiaries
“We siezed this opportunity to 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.”
