From David Onuoja, Abuja
About 106 former New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN) Staff, have died, while awaiting their benefits which amount to N2.1 billion
In a press release issued in Kaduna and signed by the Chairman, on behalf of the NNN Staff Joint Union, Friday Sule and Alhaji Sadiq Tela, on behalf of Elders Forum, said, the lives of the beneficiaries have become unbearable due to lack of fund to Carter for their health amongst others.
The payment of Benefits of the former NNN staffs, which are under the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), have been lingering for a long time now without payment.
The statement further said that about 106 beneficiaries have died as of January, 2025, despite 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.
Related News
It could be recalled that the duo of Barrister Iweka and Idi Sule, all former workers of the NNN 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 domicile in.
Following the painstaking efforts by New Nigerian beneficiaries, the matter was squashed and all garnishee orders instituted earlier vacated and all parties duely settled except New Nigerian beneficiaries who orchestrated for the settlements.
According to the release, “more than 100 days after the vacation of the 10 years old scorging court matter, all New Nigerian Beneficiaries who served the 19 Northern Governors are still wondering in the wilderness in pains.
“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 sized this opportunity therefore, 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”, it appealed.
However, the workers has lauded the incumbent Secretary to the State Government of Kaduna State who have so far facilitated engagements with the Northern Nigeria Development Company and the Northern Governors Secretariats.
“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.” It added.
