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5 Tips to Write an SEO-Friendly Blog Post for Nigerians

Blogging is big in Nigeria at the moment.  So many Nigerian bloggers publish posts on a daily basis, however,  not all of them understand the concept or importance of  SEO(Search Engine Optimization) in online writing. While blogging appears to fun, it is important to keep in mind that is it a business and attention should be placed on driving web traffic, showing expertise, and generate leads.

SEO generally, is the process of improving a website or blog’s visibility on search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Search engines are basically the main source of generating traffic to any website and this is the reason for why it is of utmost important. Fortunately, SEO does not have to feel difficult to implement, as long as certain rules and tricks are employed. ZEODigital, the Best SEO company in Nigeria offers 5 tips on creating an SEO-friendly blog post.

Plan Your Post

Planning is never a waste of time. Ask yourself the following: “What exact message do I want to convey to my audience?”, “What are the main points of the post?” How do i capture their attention enough to engage them?

No matter the topic, an audience will only respond to content that resonates with them or their situation. Planning allows you to add a relevant call to action and incorporate related links in the text. Ensure you give the post a structure:  an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Draft an initial summary of your post before you begin.

Employ keywords

Keywords are essential to Search Engine Optimization. There are so many apps  and extensions that can help you generate and compare keywords. Before you start on your post, decide on the topic, complete your planning, then make a list of keywords that you know are valuable but also relevant to your post, then place them where they will have the most impact on the readers as well as search engine crawlers indexing your content.

Keywords are best placed in the title of the post, headings and subheadings, preamble,  anchor text (text you hyperlink to other related pages on your site), title tags and meta descriptions. Ensure however, that you do not include too many keywords at a time. It will not only make your post difficult to read, you may also get penalized by Google.

Use Paragraphs, headings and subheadings

Paragraphs and headings are essential to any blog post as they give it a firm structure, ensuring readability, and good SEO as well. Headings especially, also influence how Google grasp the main topics of a long post and that helps your ranking. Subheadings are even better as they make the structure of the article much clearer and guide the readers, especially lazy ones who prefer to only scan posts.  Paragraphs should present separate ideas, each one having a main idea and subject. Most importantly, ensure that your keywords are used in your post’s heading and subheadings.

Use links for reference

Links, whether external or internal,  are a valuable to any blog looking to rank higher in search engine results pages. It not only link you to other reputable and highly ranked websites, making your article more relevant on Google, it boosts the credibility of your blog, especially to your audience.

While creating a blog post, include a link when you mention another blogger or article. It will not only make your post more appealing to your readers, but the other bloggers will also appreciate you sharing their links and will most likely reciprocate the gesture linking you in their subsequent posts or even sharing your articles on social media sites. Furthermore, do not forget to link to relevant previous articles, as internal linking is one of the most important factor to be considered for writing the SEO friendly content.

Include a comment box and make your post shareable

The essence of creating an SEO friendly blog post is to make sure it is viewed by the largest possible number of people. When writing a blog post, ensure you include a call to action,  that will incite your readers to like, comment on, and share those pages; and from sharing, it will reach an even larger crowd. Most readers will, however, not be willing to go an extra mile of sharing your content if you do not make it easy to share. Use a website like “Share This” to include “share,” buttons to each blog post.

CCT Trial: Saraki Expresses Disappointment Over Supreme Court’s Ruling

Senate President, Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has expressed disappointment over the judgment of the Apex Court, on the six grounds of his appeal.
This comes after listening to the ruling of the Supreme Court in the appeal he filed to challenge the process of arraigning him before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President said that he would like to put it on record that “the facts of the substantial matter are not before the Supreme Court since the apex court was only invited to rule on some preliminary issues in the process of commencing the trial”.

The Senate President believes he will have his day in the court to prove his innocence of the charges preferred against him during the trial proper.

Dr. Saraki also thanked everyone who supported him from the beginning of the case. He assured everyone that at the end of the day, truth will prevail and justice will be served.

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the appeal of Dr Bukola Saraki against the judgment of the Appeal Court on his trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on charges of false asset declaration.

AMCON Takes Over Management of AERO Contractors

Aviation Fuel: Aero Announces Suspension Of Operations

The Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, has dissolved the board of Aero Contractors and appointed a manager over the affairs of the airline, in accordance with its statutory responsibility of acquiring Eligible Bank Assets and putting them to economic use in a profitable manner.

In a statement issued on Friday, the majority shareholder and creditor of Aero stated that “An industry-based management team will be put in place to provide the highest level of professional competence which would ensure a quick re-positioning of the company.”

The statement explained that, “The management of AMCON decided to make changes in the management of the airline to protect the brand heritage of the airline, a very well cherished value.

“AMCON also maintains that its intervention is in the public interest to sustain and improve the robust and premium quality service which Aero is known for in the country.”

While assuring regulatory authorities, customers and other stakeholders that the airline would continue to “operate on the solid foundation of safety and security with excellent customer service,” AMCON promised to engaged a reputable accounting firm to undertake a forensic audit of the airline’s accounts since the last five years.

2016 Budget Defence: Reps Blast UNILORIN VC Over N300 Million Undetailed Spending

Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, Nigeria's House Representative Denies Media report

Yesterday, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Tertiary Education and Services declined to look into the 2016 budget proposals of the University of Ilorin over apparent overspending without adequate details in its 2015 budget performance.

The committee, chaired by Hon. Aminu Suleiman, also frowned at the action of the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, for spending the sum of N42 million for hotel accommodation.

A member of the committee, Hon. Kehinde Odeneye, who raised the eyebrow on the hotel spending wondered how the VC incurred hotel expenses to the tune of N42 million.

“Then another N100 million for takeoff grant for new departments without actually telling us how many they are and the things needed for the takeoff.

“Also N50 million on workshops and seminars. This is apart from the training grants obtained. Then, there is maintenance of buildings which also is without details,’’ the lawmaker pointed out.

The committee further expressed displeasure at a project of N49 million for road culverts which did not have details of the project description in the documents presented by Prof. Ambali.

The committee also cited another N60 million for environmental upgrading which had no details.

Responding on the N42 million hotel bill, the vice-chancellor said that the institution had a number of memoranda of understandings (MoUs) with many individuals, who were important visitors to the university.

But committee asked Prof. Ambali and his team to leave as it will not attend to them for their defence of the 2016 budget as scheduled.

52 SMEs to Share N700 Million Bank of Industry Loan in Taraba

The Bank of Industry (BoI) has disbursed N700 million in loans under its Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises Development Fund to 52 beneficiaries in Taraba State.

This is contained in a statement from BoI, the statement said that the fund was pooled by Taraba State Government and the bank under its Matching Fund Scheme following the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding for its establishment.

Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, the Managing Director of the bank, said  at the cheque presentation ceremony that BoI had invested over N90.6 million in SMEs in the state before the advent of the scheme.

The statement listed some beneficiaries to include – Al-Umalau Nig. Ltd, Bombillac Integrated Farms, Tsoro Women MPCS, Mal Kings MPCS, Wainabe MPCS and Master Bakers’ projects under the Cassava Bread Fund.

“With the State Government’s intervention, a total of 130 projects, cutting across all local government areas in the state were realised.

“Out of this number, 75 projects doing various aspects of processing and value addition totaling about N119 million were approved by the bank.

“It is, however, important to point out that only 52 of the 75 beneficiaries who got approval accepted the offer.

“Out of the 52 who have accepted the loan offers, 40 co-operatives have been processed for disbursement out of which 18 benefiting co-operatives are ready for issuance today.

“Their respective cheques will be issued for the acquisition of raw materials to enhance their productive activities.

“The remaining 22 cooperatives will also be receiving their cheques in a week’s time as their documentation have been fully processed.

“Amounts set for each beneficiary is between N1.5 million and N1.7 million, but not exceeding a total of N215 million to be processed wholly from the state government’s portion of the fund,” Olaoluwa said.

The statement said that to address the challenges of not having the proper documentattion to secure loans, BoI had appointed 200 Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) to package loan proposals for the bank’s prospective customers.

It said that the BDSPs would also provide post-finance services such as mentorship, handholding, financial advice and inculcation of best practices to SME operators.

The statement said that the bank had embarked on several initiatives to make access to finance easier for small businesses in the country.

Osinbajo to Act as President as Buhari Takes Short Vacation

Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Mr. Femi Adesina has said that, President Muhammadu Buhari is going on  a short vacation from today, February 5 to February 10, 2016.

According to Adesina, while the President is on vacation, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will perform the functions of the President.

The statement further said, ”In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution, President Buhari has dispatched a formal notice of his vacation to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.”

Industrialist Calls for Restrictions on Importation of Finished Products

The Chief Executive of Erisco Bonpet Group, Chief Erick Umeofia, urged the Federal Government to enhance the performance of the manufacturing sector by restricting importation of some finished goods. he said that the influx of substandard finished goods into the country is inimical to the growth of the manufacturing sector of the economy.

“Fiscal policy should be put in place to discourage the importation of these goods and services, high tariffs should be placed on goods they know that we have the capability of producing here in Nigeria.”

“Importation does not only kill local manufacturers, but creates jobs for those economies, especially China where our traders import these substandard products”.

He lauded the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for its current monetary policy decisions, adding that the foreign exchange measures would reshape and reposition the real sector. He also employ the apex bank to monitor banks’ activities and ensure that foreign exchange made available to them were not diverted to bureau de change dealers.

Umeofia also appealed to the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigerian Customs Service to stem the influx of substandard goods into the country.

He urged the government to create enabling environment that would promote the industrialisation and growth of the economy.

CBN Extends BVN Enrolment for Nigerian Bank Customers in Diaspora

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has lengthened the bank verification number (BVN) registration for Nigerian bank customers in the Diaspora to June 30, 2016.

The need to extend the BVN enrolment was  as a result of low percentage of registration of Nigeria bank customers in the diaspora. This resulted in the lack of easy accessibility of the registration centres in some cities where Nigerian population is high.

 “You will recall that as part of efforts towards ensuring full implementation of the BVN project, the CBN issued a circular extending the deadline for the registration  and linkage of BVN to accounts of Nigerian banks’ customers in diaspora to January 31, 2016.

“The CBN has observed, through a recent survey, the low percentage of registeration of Nigerian banks’ customers in diaspora, which may be attributed to lack of accessibility to registeration centres and unavailability of registration centres centres in some cities where Nigerian population is high.

“Consequently, all deposit money banks are hereby requested to note that BVN enrollment for Nigerian banks’ in diaspora is hereby extended to 30th June, 2016. This is to enable such customers complete the enrollment and link the BVN to their bank accounts.” it explained.

Kaymu Launches Referral Program to Reward Loyal Buyers

​Kaymu.com.ng, Nigeria’s #1 online marketplace, is excited to announce the launch of its referral program, a rewards initiative for loyal buyers who can earn Kaymu vouchers for referring friends, family, or colleagues to the site.

​The Referral Program allows avid buyers to share a custom link with their network, prompting them to join Kaymu. ​This initiative is in line with our mission to involve our community and promote social shopping, by encouraging buyers to share their love for Kaymu with others, and rewarding them through Kaymu vouchers.

With great enthusiasm about the program’s promise, Kaymu’s Managing Director Sefik Bagdadioglu commented, “Community is how we define ourselves, so growing through sharing is the right step forward!”

Referrers can earn up to ₦100,000 in the form of vouchers redeemable on the site. For every purchase resulting from a referral, the referrer and referee are awarded ₦500 that they can collect and redeem towards their purchases. Referrers are also able to manage their referrals through a dedicated platform that enables them to keep track of their vouchers and the transactions made by their friends.

For Bagdadioglu, the Referral Program is a great way to extend our reach to more members of our community and celebrate the social features of our mobile app. “This is an opportunity to engage our buyers with the social side of the business; Kaymu is all about finding something you love, sharing it with like-minded people, and coming back to shop from your favorite sellers.”

The referral links have already been made available to our top buyers. We encourage all other interested members of the Kaymu community to sign up here to get on the wait list for referral links.

Consumer Price Index Falls to 9.24% for Month of January

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is expected to release the inflation rate for the month of January on February 17.

Ahead of the release, analysts at FSDH Research Group are forecasting that the CPI will slow down to 9.24% from 9.55% recorded in December 2015.

The analysts attribute the moderation to the base effect of January 2015 and the drop in commodity prices.

According to FSDH, the price movements in consumer goods and services in January 2016 would increase the composite Consumer Price Index to 181.13 points, representing a month-on-month increase of 0.55%.

NCC to Issue Sanctions on Breach of Regulations

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) disclosed its commitment to deliver on its mandate of implementing policies that would further develop telecommunications market in Nigeria as well as protect the Nigerian Communication Act (NCA).

According to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof Umar Dambatta, the Nigerian Communication Act, 2003 has empowered NCC to issue sanctions and enforce compliance where regulations or guidelines are contravened. He explained that effective exercise of enforcement powers and application of appropriate sanctions by the regulator against erring service providers is meant to sanitize the telecommunication industry and provide a good playing field for investment.

 Dambatta stated that the Commission is liaising with all security agencies using its powers in the prevention and combating financial fraud, cyber crime and other related cross-border crimes.
The Head, Legal and Regulatory Services in the Commission, Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye, Dambatta observed that NCC has developed a good Memorandum of Understanding between it and the Nigeria Police, the office of the National Security Adviser and other security agencies, compelling the network operators to cooperate with these security agencies in the course of their onerous function of criminal investigation and such related matters.

He noted that the Commission is aware of the constant and disturbing use of mobile phones and the Internet in the commission of heinous crimes such as kidnapping.

Nigeria Has Saved N2.2 Trillion With TSA – President Buhari

President Buhari has disclosed that the implementation of the Treasury Single Account has helped his administration to save N2.2 trillion.

he made this known while interacting with a cross section of the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom on the side-line of the Supporting Syria Conference in London.

While lambasting previous administrations for operating several accounts with which they siphoned money belonging to Nigerians, the president gave his word not to relent in the fight against corruption.

President Buhari said that he would make every Nigerian accountable and that money recovered so far can fund the country’s deficit and infrastructure development.

Delta Airlines Announces Executive Succession

Delta Air Lines, Inc. Board of Directors has announced that Richard H. Anderson has chosen to retire as CEO effective May 2, 2016.  At that time, Mr. Anderson will be elevated to Executive Chairman of the Delta Air Lines Board of Directors.

Richard Anderson

“Richard has been an outstanding leader and CEO.  His unique combination of strategic and operating skills, plus his commitment to employees, corporate culture, customers and shareholders has redefined Delta and led to an entirely new and better way of flying around the world.  Under Richard’s leadership, Delta has become the most profitable and best run airline that consistently delivers excellent customer service.  The entire Board of Directors extends a hearty thanks for his service, his leadership and his thoughtful succession planning process.  This succession plan has been several years in the making and will keep Delta on top of the global industry.” said Dan Carp, Chairman of the Board.

Ed Bastian, President of Delta, will be appointed CEO effective May 2, 2016 and Glen Hauenstein, Executive Vice President, will be appointed President of Delta, also effective May 2, 2016.   Gil West is promoted immediately to Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.  “Ed has been a critical part of Delta’s success.  He is an exceptional leader and has been an invaluable partner in leading the remarkable transformation of Delta over the last decade.  Likewise, Glen and Gil are extraordinary leaders who have led the transformation of Delta’s network, product and operations.  I hold Ed, Glen and Gil in the highest esteem, both personally and professionally, and have every confidence that they will lead Delta to even higher levels of performance.” said Richard Anderson.  “Ed Bastian will lead the best management team in the global industry.  Delta’s succession planning and executive development has produced the top performing executive team in the global airline industry,” said Dan Carp, Chairman of the Delta Board of Directors.

Effective immediately, the Board of Directors also appoints Steve Sear, President International and Executive Vice President Global Sales.  Steve will lead the Atlantic,
Asia-Pacific, and Latin America organizations in addition to global sales.

Upon Richard Anderson’s appointment as Executive Chairman on May 2, 2016, Frank Blake, a current Delta Director, will be appointed Lead Director of the Delta Air Lines Board of Directors.  Dan Carp will step down as non-executive Chairman and remain on the Board of Directors of Delta.  “Dan Carp has been an excellent mentor and colleague as the Chairman of Delta since 2007, overseeing the remarkable resurgence of Delta as the recognized leader of the global aviation business,” said Richard Anderson.

Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Enhances Service Channels  

Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited in line with its commitment to enriching customer experience has said it would continue to broaden and enhance its service channels for efficient service delivery. This, the leading pension fund administrator in the country said, is in fulfillment of its promise to provide quality and stress-free pension fund administration and financial management services to its clients and Nigerians wherever they may be.

The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Eric Fajemisin, said that the cardinal value propositions of the PFA are participation, accessibility, quality, convenience and efficiency. Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers can be reached via a number of service channels, which include its over 217 branch offices spread across the country, its 24-hour multilingual contact centre, SMS, Stanbic IBTC ATMs, email, its mobile office, mobile app, and the Pension Guru online, Fajemisin said, adding that the PFA is committed to ensuring that clients are able to experience excellent and convenient service in any of its touch points.

According to Fajemisin, “Our promise is to avail as many Nigerians as possible the opportunity to have quality pension fund administration and financial services, which will enable a life of comfort in retirement. To achieve that, we have continued to broaden our service channels so that we can reach as many Nigerians as possible and encourage participation in the Contributory Pension Scheme.”

Fajemisin said Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers will constantly explore additional avenues were Nigerians can conveniently access its services to meet their pension and retirement needs. He further added that Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers is backed by the necessary experience, strong and sound financial clout of the Standard Bank Group, to ensure efficiency in the management and safety of clients’ investments.

“In our 10 years of existence, we have emerged Nigeria’s leading PFA with over one million retirement savings account holders and assets under management in excess of N1 trillion, paying more than N2.1 billion to over 38,000 retirees monthly. Over N204 billion has been paid to retirees since we commenced operations in 2005. Our aim is to continue to set higher standards of service delivery and ensure that our retirement savings account holders derive maximum value from their contributions,” Fajemisin said.

Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers is a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, a member of Standard Bank Group, a full service financial services group with a clear focus on three main business pillars – Corporate and Investment Banking, Personal and Business Banking and Wealth Management. Standard Bank Group is the largest African bank by assets and earnings. It is rooted in Africa with strategic representation in 20 countries on the African continent, including South Africa. Standard Bank has been in operation for over 153 years and is focused on building first-class, on-the-ground financial services organisations in chosen countries in Africa and connecting other selected emerging markets to Africa and to each other, applying sector expertise, particularly in natural resources, globally.

FG to Revamp Insurance Industry – Finance Minister

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun,  has promised to ensure that legislation that affect the nation’s insurance industry are treated as priority as a way of making the sector contribute meaningfully to the economy.

The Minister who spoke at meeting in Abuja said that the federal government remains resolute in making the insurance industry impact on the lives of the people.

She said, “If you look at any nation that has developed economically, they always have a very strong insurance industry. Wherever you have a good pool of funds, you will have infrastructure and you will have development. So insurance is absolutely critical. This review is long overdue.

“However, in the spirit of change, the new economy must be significantly different from the past.

“The new economy must be well diversified and protected from the destabilizing effect of oil price fluctuations and we believe we can grow the non oil sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture, solid minerals and manufacturing.”

She added that insurance would remain an important part of the plan, including funding “by providing funding for transactions in both public private partnerships and direct transactions”.

She said that they would also be providing risk management and providing the support that will actualise the plans to stimulate the economy.

The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Mohammed Kari, added that plans were underway to introduce policies that will fast track development in the sector.

FG Partners Diasfund to Establish Africa’s First Digital Museum

The Federal Government, in conjunction with Diasfund Africa Limited, has concluded arrangements to establish the first digital museum in Africa. The African Heritage Digital Museum would be inaugurated on the International Museum Day featuring about 1,000 high resolution photographs of the oldest man-made artefacts in Nigeria.

The director-general (DG) of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman, said that the idea behind the project was to highlight the importance of Nigeria’s cultural objects to Nigerians and the global community, adding that there was a need for foreigners to appreciate the aesthetic value of the objects.

Usman stated that, “Given the number of people engaged in the use of internet, we are hopeful that a lot of money will be generated though the revenue will be shared between the commission and Diasfund. We, however, do not have a fixed amount that we will realise from the project.”

He added that Diasfund, through Crown Fraud, has been advocating for the return of the Queen Idia Mask and other Nigerian cultural heritage in British museums through different television appearances and many writings in the print media in the United Kingdom.

Responding, the director of Markets and Investments, Diasfund Africa Limited, Mr Obinna Egele, said that the project is designed to be easily accessible through mobile and other portable devices, insisting that the digital museum have global reach.

Supreme Court Dismisses Saraki’s Appeal Against Code of Conduct Tribunal

Senate President, Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal

The Supreme Court has dismissed Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki’s appeal against the Code of Conduct Bureau for lack of merit.

The Court affirmed the Court of Appeal judgement that the Code of Conduct Tribunal is validly constituted.

The apex court had adjourned till February 5, 2016 to determine the appeal seeking to quash charges against the Senate President, after it entertained arguments from both Dr. Saraki and the Federal Government in December 2015.

The Federal Government leveled a 13-count criminal charge against the former Kwara State Governor before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged false declaration of assets.

Dr. Saraki was accused of deliberately manipulating the assets declaration form that he filled prior to his assumption of office as the Senate President, by making anticipatory declaration of assets as well as operated foreign bank account while in office as a public servant.

FG to Reinstate Sacked NNPC Workers in Imo State

Federal Government has promised not to cut down the number of employees of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. This is coming after the threat by labour unions to storm Imo state today for a mass action if the state government fails to reinstate the workers that it recently sacked.

The Federal Government however stated that instead of reducing the number of workers at the NNPC, it would expand the operations of the national oil firm in order to make it globally competitive.

The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the National President, NUPENG, and Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Achese Igwe, said some concessions were reached at the meeting.

Igwe said, “We are going to vehemently resist any attempt to sack workers. We have advised service companies and multinational firms that are in the act of outsourcing and contracting that this will portend the loss of jobs for Nigerians. We say no to them because that is not what this government is all about.

“The government today talks about job creation and not job losses. With the current economic challenge we are having in our country, we need not to lose jobs that are already created.”

“We have said clearly and I am speaking as the NUPENGASSAN chairman today, that any attempt to cause job losses in the oil and gas sector, especially at the NNPC, we will definitely react. We will resist it accordingly and we will do it within the framework of what labour unions are known for.”

He said an ultimatum, which elapses today had been given to the state government to reinstate the sacked workers, adding that failure to comply would result in mass action by labour unions.

Lagos State Government Pays N649 Million Pension to 119 Retirees

The Lagos State Pension Board in January issued retirement benefit bond certificates worth N649 million to 119 retirees from the mainstream civil service, local governments, State Universal Basic Education Board, Teachers Establishment and Pension Office, and other parastatals of government.

“The total accrued pension rights paid by the state government from August 2015 to January 2016 is N10.652bn. Accrued pension rights are gratuity and pension entitlements due to staff who transited to the Contributory Pension Scheme but had served under the ‘Pay As You Go’ pension scheme dispensation,” it stated.

The Director-General, LASPEB, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, advised the beneficiaries to take good care of their health and invest the money they were about to collect wisely, and that the should be wary of fraudsters and illegal business proposals.

“If you cannot think of any business at the moment, keep your money in fixed deposit accounts with banks,” Onanuga advised the recipients.

Fashola Comes Under Fire Over Electricity Tariff Hike

The Trade Union Congress has upbraided the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola for insisting that increase in electricity tariff is the only way to enhance stable power supply in Nigeria.

The union disagreed with the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, which announced the increase last month.

Part of their statement reads:

According to the TUC, the minister’s argument that an Act of the National Assembly actually empowered the commission to increase tariff and that the Act cannot be tampered with even by the federal parliament, was certainly “very lame, too simplistic and misleading.”

“It is high time the minister and proponents of the tariff increase are reminded that one of the major reasons Nigerians demanded a change of leadership in May 2015 was so they could heave a sigh of relief. A major expectation was that we would, for once, stop paying for services that are not rendered.

“We never anticipated that the already fraudulent billing system would be made worse. We saw no NERC/FASHOLAGATE in the horizon!

“While we agree that the cost of procuring raw materials to generate electricity could be high, does it make any economic sense that the poor barber who still finds himself having to fuel his small generator even at the current high rate should be made to pay more for a service whose supply is very irregular and uncertain?

“With the benefit of hindsight it has become evident that the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, was a well-crafted ploy to deceive Nigerians into believing that it would address their pains”, it added.

The TUC which enumerated reasons why the hike should be rejected by all Nigerians, described it as dictatorial.

It insisted that “due process stipulated in extant laws for such increment was not observed. We refer especially to Section 76 of the Power Sector Reform Act 2005.”

Other reasons as given by TUC include:

“•There has been no significant improvement in service delivery. Worse still the vast majority of consumers are yet to be metered in accordance with the signed privatisation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of 1st November, 2013 which stipulated that all consumers should be metered within 18 months gestation period.

“•There is a subsisting court order dated 28th May, 2015 by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos in the case of Toluwani Yemi-Adebiyi vs NERC & Ors. that no increment be made until the determination of the substantive suit. Any increment at this time would be failing to take cognisance of the present biting economic recession in the country and would further impoverish the poor masses.”

“Privatisation in any part of the world is meant to inject fresh funds into the concerned sector, and not to impose ridiculous tariffs on the groaning masses. The power situation in Nigeria is proving the reverse.

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