DEATH TOLL RISES: 106 NNN Beneficiaries Die Waiting for Payment, Northern Governors Urged to Act

By Nicholas Kaduna

Beneficiaries of the New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN) under the Northern States Governors Forum have lamented the prolonged delay in payment of their benefits, totaling N2.1 billion. As of January 2025, the death toll of members waiting for these benefits has reached 106.

A statement signed by Alhaji Sadiq Tela on behalf of the Elders Forum and Friday Sule for the Joint Union of the New Nigerian Newspapers stated, “Following the recent out-of-court settlement between the Northern Governors and Albert Iweka and Co., which was adopted by the Federal High Court on November 27, 2024, expectations have been high due to the extreme poverty caused by these pending benefits.”

The statement recalled that Barrister Iweka and Idi Sule, former workers of the New Nigerian Newspapers, had taken the Northern Governors to court over payment of check-off dues and obtained a garnishee order that froze the New Capital Properties Limited (NCPL) account.

Over 100 days after the court matter was resolved, the New Nigerian Beneficiaries who served the 19 Northern Governors were still waiting in vain

However, after painstaking efforts by the New Nigerian Beneficiaries, the matter was settled, and all garnishee orders were vacated, except for the NNN Beneficiaries.

The statement pointed out that over 100 days after the court matter was resolved, the New Nigerian Beneficiaries who served the 19 Northern Governors were still waiting in vain.

The workers commended the incumbent Secretary to the State Government of Kaduna for engaging with the Northern Nigeria Development Company and the Northern Governors Secretariats, which has brought some relief.

However, the statement emphasized that the over 800 beneficiaries, who have almost 10,000 mouths to feed, are struggling due to economic hardship. It maintained that the Northern Governors, under the leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, have the power to decide the fate of almost 1,000 New Nigerian Beneficiaries.

As of January 2025, the death toll of members waiting for these benefits has reached 106

The beneficiaries appealed to the Northern Governors’ Forum to come to their aid, citing the death toll of 106 members awaiting payment as of January 2025. In the spirit of Ramadan, they begged the governors to show mercy on their families, as most of them are unable to break their fast.