…Even as 109 have died awaiting payment.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), under Gombe State Governor, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya-led administration, is keeping quiet as the death toll of (would be) beneficiaries of New Nigerian Newspapers, including journalists expecting payment, rises to 109th on Saturday, with the death of Ado Umar at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital, Tudun Wada Kaduna.
A post on WhatsApp platform of the New Nigerian Newspapers of NSGF Beneficiary, by Alhaji Idris, stated that, “We loss another beneficiary in person of Ado Umar, this afternoon, at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital Tudun Wada Kaduna. (May Allah SWT Grant him Aljannah Firdausi).”
Two days ago, a New Nigerian Newspaper beneficiary waiting for payment, Mr Zakka Bitiyong, of Commercial Printing Department and Radio Room, was buried in Kaduna after waiting endlessly for his entitlements.
The entire NNN family has being thrown into mourning as members cried uncontrollably and over 200 storm the Whatsapp platform lamenting over the death Ado Umar, their member.
A passionate appeal message on the platform last week said, “We are soliciting for prayers. One of our former colleague Driver and also Beneficiary in person of Ado Umar (Baba Ado) have been operated for Hernia treatment at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital Tudun Wada Kaduna.”
Reports have it that, the number of beneficiaries in dire need of medical attention in vain has gone up, from 29 to 36. NSGF, under Governor Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, raked-in 7 billion naira after selling New Nigerian Newspaper properties in the name of ‘paying NNN beneficiaries,’ but until now no penny has been paid out of the 2.5 billion naira owed the retirees.