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Ex-Oyo HoS, Eniade urges workers to prepare, reveals tips to ‘no regrets’ retirement
A former Head of Service (HoS) in Oyo State, Mr. Soji Eniade on Saturday encouraged retirees to be ahead of time in preparing for their retirement the moment they get employed, just as he shared specific retirement tips.
Eniade , while speaking at a reunion program organised by the 1997 set of Bishop Phillips Academy, Ibadan, also stated that financial issues have made pension unreliable as state governors are finding it extremely difficult to be up to date in salary payment.
The ex-Head of Service, who was ill-at ease over the already gloomy unemployment situation in the country said , ” It is unfortunate that many graduates who are unemployed are still in the labour market so many parents who invested in their children’s education suffer from this”.
According to him, “It is important for every hale and hearty employee to prepare for his retirement right now. While I was in active service. My mother gave me two advises: don’t use all your hands to eat and don’t use your money for bean cakes (enjoyment). It is important for workers to start preparing for retirement right from the day they start working,”he said.
“I am not vast about the retirement pattern in the private sector because I served in the public sector. In most cases when some organizations restructure, they will have to downsize, extinction, bankruptcy, and other factors can cause retirement.
“Due to the many challenges of pension in the country, the federal government adopted the British model of contributory pension but it has failed because many states of the federation can’t meet up because they refuse to pay.
“In essence, financial issues have made pension unreliable. How do you expect states that can’t pay salary to pay pension? I’ll use this moment to commend Governor Seyi Makinde, he is doing well in that regard.
“In Britain, retirement life is very easy because you are entitled to various things like free basic healthcare and transport ticket but all these are not readily available in Nigeria. Most retirees in our country use their pension to buy drugs to feed themselves in life”, he submitted.
Sharing tips on how workers can secure a good retirement plan, Eniade continued: “Good and trusted relationship with spouses. Good upbringing and quality education for our children. The holy Bible says ‘train your child and he shall give you peace.
“During our days, public education had great quality and schools like Bishop Phillips Academy that were privately owned was heavily subsidised by the government making it affordable for everyone but the situation is not the same today again. In this case, all of us must continue to advocate for quality public education in the country.
“The fourth point is good healthcare”, he emphasized.
Also commenting at the event is a three-time Commissioner in Oyo State, Dr. Morounkola Thomas, who spoke on the topic: ‘Importance of quality education in nation building: the place of alumni group under review’.
The former Executive Assistant to late Governor Abiola Ajimobi on political matters, noted that the place of alumni association as a critical stakeholder in the provision of quality education in schools is of essential importance.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Ibadan Regional Chairman of the 1997 set of the alumni association, Pastor Oyewale Oyegoke appreciated all members who took their time to attend the reunion program despite their tight schedule.
Speaking further, he revealed that in 2020, the alumni association embarked on a project titled ‘operation zero tattered cloth and footwear’.
According to the Chairman, the project, which involves the provision of new school uniform and footwear for students with tattered ones; recorded a success story, assuring that the association is determined to do more.
Dignitaries present at the epoch -making event include, the National Chairman, Bishop Phillips Old Students’ Association, Ibadan Region, Alhaji Adekunle Ogunshola; National chairman, 1997 set, Mr. Femi Akintayo among others
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
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