A woman has been arrested in Adamawa State for allegedly posing as a vehicle inspection officer, VIO, and for being involved in job racketeering.

The Adamawa State Command of the Nigeria Police, which arrested the woman, identified as Face Samuel, said Wednesday morning that the woman was apprehended on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

The command said in a statement that the suspect on several occasions acted as a VIO and defrauded a number of people.

The statement named the victims as Blessing Kefas, Abel Samuel, Evlyne Amos, and Friday Adamu, from whom the woman collected the sum of N350,000 under the pretense of securing employment for them with the Vehicle Inspection Office, Adamawa State Ministry of Transportation.

According to the statement, which was signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, “The suspect confessed to committing the crime and further disclosed that the VIO’s uniform used in the fraudulent act was given to her by a yet to be identified person.”

Nguroje stated that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, has assured diligent Investigation to uncover other possible victims and collaborators involved in Face Samuel’s crime.

The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Pension Board, Habu Muhammad Fagge, has said that they have an inroads in the clearance of heavy Pension and Gratuity Debts of N48.6 Billion left over by the Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje-led administration.

Habu Fagge said within the span of Governor Yusuf’s two years in office, he has cleared over N21 billion in pension liabilities of N48.6 Billion inherited from Ganduje administration.

Speaking in an interview, Fagge described the state of the board at the time of the current administration’s takeover as “deeply troubling,” revealing that pensioners suffered irregular and arbitrary deductions under the previous government, sometimes losing half of their meager monthly entitlements.

“At one point, pensioners receiving N6,000 had N3,000 deducted without explanation. We couldn’t find any clear formula for the deductions,” he said.

According to Fagge, the previous administration borrowed extensively from the pension fund, leading to significant financial distress.

He explained that part of the recovery began when Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf approved deductions from the source for pension remittances— restoring regular payments and enabling the board to reach 100% monthly pension disbursement.

“We inherited N48.6 billion in liabilities and also had to remit N75 billion that had been levied on local governments and some MDAs.

“Despite this, we’ve managed to settle N16 billion so far, with another N5 billion scheduled for disbursement soon,” Fagge said.

He praised the governor for showing empathy, noting that “even though the debt was inherited, His Excellency took responsibility and ensured payments were made, purely out of concern for the pensioners.”

Workers in the employment of federal government of Nigeria on Tuesday began an indefinite strike in Oyon State over non-payment of their five months outstanding wage awards.

The workers, under the platform of federal workers forum, declared the commencement of the strike on Tuesday.

The declaration was made at the front of the federal Secretariat in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The workers vowed to continue until their demands are met by the federal government.

National Coordinator of FWF, Comrade Andrew Emelieze and the Secretary General, Comrade Itoro Obong, while speaking during the commencement of the strike, noted that the workers had earlier issued a 21-day ultimatum to the federal government before the strike was declared.

The duo said that the workers are demanding immediate payment of outstanding five months wage award arrears and implementation of 40% peculiar allowance and the payment of its arrears.

They said, “As earlier agreed, we the federal workers in Nigeria commence an indefinite protest nationwide today 22nd April, 2025 to press home our demands for justice for federal government workers in Nigeria.

“We had earlier issued a 21 days ultimatum to the federal government to attend to our plights but most unfortunately, our government has been adamant.

“We have however commenced the indefinite protest and day 1 has shown to be peaceful and successful as federal workers across the federation joined the protest nationwide occupying the different federal government secretariat across the federation despite heavy deployment of security operatives.

“It is an indefinite protest and we shall continue until the FG meets our demands.

“Our demands are straight forward. The Immediate payment of outstanding five months wage award arrears.

“The implementation of 40% peculiar allowance and the payment of its arrears. The immediate review of the heavy taxation of the federal workers’ poor wage.

“We will not stop calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rethink his policies towards the Nigerian workers, all that has come from Mr President has been a bad example , anti workers and horribly promoting hardship among the federal government workers”.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he would have loved to end the suffering of Nigerians but acknowledged that even with the best intentions, it is not an easy task, especially for a president.

Speaking Sunday night at a reception held in his honour as the recipient of the prestigious Sunhak Global Peace Prize Award, Jonathan reflected on his personal journey, the burden of leadership, and his lifelong dedication to peace and service.

The event, held in Maitama, Abuja, brought together political leaders, friends, and admirers who paid glowing tributes to Jonathan’s legacy as a statesman and peacemaker, and to also celebrate his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, Nigeria’s former First Lady, who was recently decorated with the Global Women’s Peace Ambassador Award by the Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI).

The event was organised by Chief Azibaola Robert, FNSE, family, aides and friends of the former president, who described the evening as a “gathering of friends to honour a man who has made Nigeria proud.”

In his remarks, Jonathan described the award as humbling and expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, co-founder of the Sunhak Global Peace Prize, for the global recognition.

Despite his humility, the former president acknowledged the emotional weight that comes with witnessing the hardship many Nigerians continue to face.

“I always feel sad when I see people suffering. I also went through suffering as a child because of my humble background. If I had the means, I would have made sure no Nigerian suffers. But it is not that easy. It is not possible – even for a president.”

He added that while he initially hesitated to accept higher political roles, preferring to focus on Bayelsa, his home state, he eventually embraced the calling and responsibilities of national service.

“I wanted to focus on Bayelsa, a small state, and see what I could do there. But here I am today. I will continue to do my little best until the last day I live on earth.”

Jonathan, famous for his landmark quote in the run-up to the 2015 presidential election: “My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian”, reiterated that his lifelong mission remains peace-building, saying it is the truest way he believes one can serve God.

Expectedly, the former president’s commitment to peace has earned him international acclaims. In awarding him the Sunhak Global Peace Prize in Seoul, South Korea, the organisers cited his conflict resolution efforts across Africa and his post-presidency dedication to democratic stability and good governance.

During Sunday’s reception, speakers highlighted defining moments in Jonathan’s presidency that showcased his character and principles.

Hassan Tukur, who served as Jonathan’s Principal Secretary, shared vivid anecdotes of the president’s foreign peace missions – leading ECOWAS to enforce peace in Côte d’Ivoire, standing firm during a coup in Guinea-Bissau, and mediating between warring political rivals in Kenya and Mali.

“He went to Mali in the middle of the night and negotiated peace. In Guinea-Bissau, he issued a 24-hour ultimatum to save the president and prime minister from execution. He led from the front and always chose diplomacy over force,” Tukur recalled.

Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and chairman of the occasion, described Jonathan as the embodiment of the Easter spirit – a man of hope and sacrifice.

“Easter is a day for peace and hope. It is the perfect day to honour a leader who once said his ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian. That moment changed our democracy,” Obi said.

Former Information Minister Labaran Maku echoed similar sentiments, calling Jonathan a “transformer” and a “national treasure.”