Stakeholders in the Congress of University Academics have urged the Federal and State Governments to ensure prompt remittance of their monthly pension counterpart contributions.
They made this call during a webinar organised by the union for its members, where Muhammad Sani Muhammad, the secretary and legal adviser of the National Pension Commission, delivered a keynote address.
Speaking earlier, CONUA National President, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, emphasised the need for university academics to play a crucial role in providing solutions to the nation’s problems.
Sunmonu lamented the widening gap between the town and the gown, noting that the webinar series was designed to bridge this gap by bringing together academics and practitioners to address the myriad of challenges facing the country.
He explained that the inaugural webinar aimed to provide insights into the causes, challenges, and solutions surrounding delays in accessing retirement benefits in Nigeria.
CONUA stakeholders, in their suggestions at the webinar, highlighted in a statement signed by Sunmonu, further said, “The government (executive and legislature) must treat pension fund appropriation as important as monthly salaries and wages.
“The government must ensure the prompt remittance of its counterpart monthly contributions to prevent the failure of the CPS, as happened with its predecessor. Wider consultations with stakeholders must be conducted in future pension reforms. There must be voluntary agreements between employers and employees on alternative retirement benefits.
“There should be regular reviews and reforms of pension policies and regulations. Multiple options must be available, and the percentage of retirement savings that contributors can access while still in active service should be increased.”
Caleb director promises scholarships
The Director of Caleb Group of Schools, Dr Ola Adebogun, has reaffirmed his commitment to the annual award of scholarships to students in Caleb University’s College of Education and Faith Seminary, a secondary school located in Ajah, Lagos State.
Speaking during a media chat in Lagos over the weekend, Adebogun said that the scholarship was part of his efforts to enhance education in Nigeria and fulfill his vision of producing globally competitive manpower.
He revealed that for the past six years, all students at Faith Seminary had benefited from tuition-free education, free meals, and free accommodation.
Similarly, since the National Universities Commission approved Caleb University’s education programs in 2018, students in the College of Education have enjoyed these benefits.
His goal, he explained, was to cultivate a generation of scholars capable of making significant contributions to society.
Adebogun, a passionate advocate for education, reiterated his belief that education is the foundation of a nation’s development. He pledged to continue supporting Nigerians in their pursuit of quality education.
In addition, he revealed that Caleb University, with approval from the Lagos State Scholarship Board, had instituted a scholarship scheme for top-performing candidates of Lagos State origin in each of the university’s colleges.
“As a responsible corporate entity, our Group of Schools is deeply invested in the welfare of our society and environment. The scholarship scheme is just one of many ways we contribute to nation-building,” said Adebogun.
He further noted that through the various scholarship programs, he demonstrates his commitment to Nigerian students and society at large.