Beneficiaries of the defunct New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN) under the Northern States Governors’ Forum have raised alarm over the prolonged delay in the payment of their outstanding entitlements, amounting to N2.1 billion.
In a statement issued by Alhaji Sadiq Tela and Friday Sule on behalf of the Elders Forum and Joint Union of NNN, the beneficiaries lamented that many members had died while awaiting their payments, with the death toll reaching 106 as of January 2025.
The situation, they said, has plunged surviving members into extreme hardship, leaving many unable to afford medical care or provide for their families.
The lingering dispute gained traction following an out-of-court settlement between the Northern Governors and Albert Iweka & Co., which was adopted by the Federal High Court on November 27, 2024. The settlement, facilitated by NNN beneficiaries, had raised hopes for relief.
DAILY POST reported that Barrister Iweka and Idi Sule, both former employees of NNN, had taken legal action against the Northern Governors over unpaid check-off dues, leading to a garnishee order that froze the New Capital Properties Limited (NCPL) account—where proceeds from the sale of NNN assets were kept.
Following extensive efforts by NNN beneficiaries, the garnishee orders were vacated, and all parties involved were duly settled—except the NNN beneficiaries themselves. More than 100 days after the resolution of the decade-long legal battle, the affected workers say they remain in distress, suffering from economic hardship and neglect.
The beneficiaries, numbering over 800 and supporting nearly 10,000 dependents, commended the Secretary to the State Government of Kaduna, Dr. Abdulkadir Muazu Mayere, for his efforts in engaging the Northern Nigeria Development Company and the Northern Governors’ Secretariats. However, they emphasized that urgent action is needed to resolve the crisis.
With the Northern Governors’ Forum, led by Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, holding decisive authority over the fate of these former workers, the beneficiaries pleaded for immediate intervention.
“In the spirit of Ramadan, we beg our Northern Governors to show mercy on our families, as most of us are unable to break our fast,” the statement read.
They urged the governors to expedite the payment process, warning that continued delays could push more beneficiaries into poverty and further loss of lives.
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