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The Oyo state Government has been advised to ensure that its intervention in the present hardships and difficulties confronting Nigerians cuts across all social, political, economic and religious divides. 

This advice was handed down on Wednesday by a former councilor of the Ibadan South East Local Government council, Honorable Tunde Yusuf.

'' The Oyo state government must ensure that all those who will receive the palliatives it plans to distribute are not only its supporters, well wishers, admirers and loyalists, but also indigenes and residents who are also Nigerians,'' Honorable Yusuf stated.

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The Non-Academic Staff Union and Associated Institutions(NASU) has accused some members of the the management team of University College Hospital of deliberately facilitating the postponement of the union's elections.

The NASU made this accusation through its chairman Comrade Kehinde Abiona. ''Some elements in the management of the hospital had a hand in the postponement of the union's elections. We were supposed to have the delegates/departmental election on Wednesday 2nd August and the major elections on Thursday 3rd August, but the Chief Security Officer of the hospital met me and told me that the management had decided to put the elections on hold. Comrade Abiona picked holes in the letter written to the union by the management saying''there are a number of actions that have been taken without the knowledge of the Chief Medical Director.'' ''Heads of Departments do not have any role to play in the election of delegates in the departments. The majority of the HODs are not members of our union. They do not have any role to pay in the electoral process. Since they are not members, they should not influence the electoral process. The management directed that elections should be put on hold until further notice to allow for the implementation of the report of the technical committee established to look into the immediate and remote causes of the union's March 15 elections that were disrupted,'' Comrade Abiona stated.

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The Nigerian Legion has declared that it has the capacity to secure schools in Oyo state.

 This declaration was made by the Deputy Commandant General  and  chair of Legion, Evangelist Julius Ogunjoko. ''Learning can only take place in a secure environment. Pupils and students must have a hundred per cent security in their schools. The security of our children should be of paramount importance. We have written several letters to the Oyo state Government in this respect. We will continue to remind the government, once we have the approval we are ready and have the capacity to secure both public and private schools in the state, Evangelist Ogunkojo stated.

Political office holders have been called upon to treat their fellow Nigerians with a touch of humanity, for God to bless their activities and works.

This call was made by an Ibadan-based Christian cleric, Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi.

''Nigeria's leaders must start to treat their fellow Nigerians with a human face, by addressing the core causes of hunger, poverty and unemployment. This would go a long way in straightening the paths they thread for God to bless their activities and works. When they treat their fellow human beings very well, of course God will bless all they do,'' Pastor Ajayi noted.

The burden of a nation is too multi-dimensional for a single power broker to manage.

There are entrenched interests in the military, security services, a section of the judiciary and also the bureaucracy, while the population at large remains distraught and impoverished.

Indeed, to inherit a badly managed and shattered economy is disturbing to those who know what is in stock aside from the high level of insecurity.

Those-in-Charge need not feign ignorance about the pressing issues at stake, but go all out to tackle the issues, even as reservations, doubts and suspicions grow among the populace by the day.

The Situation

It is now very glaring that millions of Nigerians-outside the workforce- are contending with hunger, poverty, unemployment and a number of other hardships. However, it is the responsibility of those-in-Charge to save the situation.

The improvement in the system of transportation, to a very great measure, increases the physical extent and economic size of a country.

However, in the Nigerian context, a number of factors have negatively affected the transport system and this has resulted in an astronomical rise in the prices of goods and services beyond the reach of a majority of the population.

The prohibitive transportation costs coupled with the multiple taxation across the country and the unabating insecurity have all succeeded in ensuring that Nigerians remain in a perpetual state of hunger and poverty.

Curiously, levels of government have channeled generated revenue from multiple taxes, unproductively, to real estate, while Nigerians continue to daily count their landed property losses.

Indeed, the government at all levels have always contended with inadequate financial organization and the relevant knowledge.

Sadly, economic stagnation is now a major characteristic in most cities that are contending with overpopulation. Petty trading and individual investments in consumables have become the preference of the people, in the absence of proactive, visionary leadership.

The omission and commission of the leadership in all spheres of life in Nigeria, has brought the country to its present worrisome state.
In his views, the Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, who is also the Head of the Association of Non-Indiggenes in Oyo state, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie maintains that the emergence of a good and God-fearing leadership in Nigeria will change the narrative.
Excerpts:

God created this world very beautifully so that man should live peacefully and happily.
But due to selfish, wicked, conscienceless leaders, the world is on fire.
 There are crises everywhere. Human lives are wasted on a daily basis. I am saying it loud and clear,that anywhere there are crises, most of such are caused by bad leadership. Ordinary people are very ready to live peacefully with each other, if well led, and well governed, no matter their ethnic and religious differences, they can live peacefully together. Politicians should come to help in this situation.
If there is good and God-fearing leadership anywhere, there would be peace in that country or society. Good leadership means leadership where justice, equity, fairness and the fear of God reigns. A leadership where citizens condemn injustice, deceit and fraud, lawlessness, no matter whose ox is gored.
A leadership that does things the right way, because no matter whatever anyone is doing, if you do the right thing the wrong way, you are wrong. If you do the wrong thing the right way, you are still wrong, but when things are done the right way, everything will move on right and there will be peace everywhere.
Bad leadership is the problem the world is always having.
I am of the firm belief that with good leaders, most wars all over the world will be minimized. It is either the leaders are corrupt, or they are selfish, leaving the right thing that promotes justice and sanity and doing the wrong things that promote injustice, hardship and hatred among the citizens.

In Nigeria now, those who think that they are  enjoying the music as they look on, ethnic groups abusing and insulting themselves, should have a rethink. Let us all Nigerians join hands and voices together in condemning that which is evil, and encourage that which is good, for the good and unity and peace of our dear country.
I am saying this because a stitch in time saves nine. Let us forget our ethnic and religious differences and call a spade a spade. Only the truth can set us free in this country.

In Nigeria, millions of citizens, most especially the poor and vulnerable, remain without internet access.
For a long time, internet users have had to  put up with very sub-standard services.
This is as a result of inefficiency and inadequate infrastructure.
Sadly, most of those who are fortunate to have internet access use it negatively.
Indeed, digital literacy is a major challenge across the country and this has translated to limited internet use in most  sectors of the economy.
Youths have taken to crime due to the attitude of the leadership at all levels of government, while pornographic content has exposed minors to immoral acts.
Of worry, is the lack of funding for research and infrastructure for Information and Communication Technology(ICT) by today's leadership.
The Backbone
The Nigerian youth involved in crime is not acting alone, some of those in positions of authority are his or her backbone. This becomes glaring when an individual takes a keen interest in unfolding events.

Banks in Nigeria have now opted for electricity/DSTV bills, community security payment receipts and building plans as means of identification of their customers rather than the National Identification Number(NIN).
Customers argue that this has defeated the Federal Government's original purpose of introducing the NIN, while the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) seems to have lost a firm grip on the banks.

This action of the banks coupled with a number of unwholesome practices have made it impossible for Nigerians to salvage their money from the affected banks.
Just last week, a customer with Access bank account No.-9993577288 was shocked when he was told by the customer service officers in the three branches of the bank he visited-Agodi/UCH 1 AND 2, Challenge, Ibadan, Nigeria, that he would need to present  the latest electricity or DSTV bill or community security payment receipt for documentation for him to withdraw money from his account.
As a result of this development and the issue of non-reversal of several online transactions, money belonging to customers is still trapped in these banks.
In his reaction, a former chairman of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), Comrade Andrew Emelieze lamented that the banks have for long played on the intelligence of NIGERIANS.
''Huge amounts of money are in these banks belonging to customers, the hard-earned money of Nigerians is hanging in these banks, most of the remittances  have not been made by these banks and virtually nothing has been done by the Central Bank of Nigeria to rescue customers. Besides, banks have been very exploitative and have continually cheated Nigerians. They no longer give interest in savings and any transaction made attracts a number of hidden charges. The banks, just like vampires, are sucking Nigerians dry,'' Comrade Emelieze noted.

 

Workers in several states in Nigeria have expressed worries over the unresolved issues surrounding the national minimum wage, contributory pension scheme and other related challenges.
Their worries are further heigthened by the prolonged slience of labor leaders in the face of increasing challenges confronting workers in the affected states as a result of the unresolved issues.
Sadly, some labor unions benefited  financially from state governments and politically exposed people in the just concluded general elections in exchange for electoral support.
In a related development, the chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union and Associated Institutions(NASU), University College Hospital(UCH) branch, Ibadan, Nigeria, Comrade Kehinde Abiona has called on the members of the union to remain calm as the union awaits a new date for elections from its national headquarters.
''Presently, the branch is waiting for the directive of the national headquarters of the union on the new date for elections. I implore our members to be law abiding and continue to give us their individual loyalty and we promise to continue to stand in the gap between members and management anytime and any day. The union has waxed stronger since the procedure to elect new branch leaders was disrupted. The sitting executives are yet to be dissolved. The Abiona-led executive is still in charge of the branch.''

Meanwhile, the UCH branch of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals(NUAHP) has insisted that the Oladayo Olabampe-led executives believe in the sacredness of transparency and accountability.
This position was made known on behalf of the union by its Public Relation Officer, Dr. Daniel Adejobi.
''This administration runs an open administration.''
The union's insistence is coming on the heels of allegations levelled against the branch executives by some members(names not mentioned to avoid victimization).
The allegations are hinged on corruption, high-handedness, lack of accountability and insensitivity.
However, Dr. Adejobi maintained that his response to the allegations would only come when the identities of the members are verified.
''I have to verify that the allegations are coming from the right quarters. I will need to have proof that the allegations are coming from my members  before I respond. It may be concocted. On a general note, none of the allegations are true, except if you have proof of the members that made the allegations,'' he stated.

Nigerians have been advised to shun evil practices as the nation approaches a new dawn.
This advice was given by a Christian cleric, Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi.
''I wish to call the attention of Nigerians to the rising cases of the propagation of evil and diabolism. We should shun all these satanic acts as we approach the light at the end of the tunnel, Pastor Ajayi counseled.
In recent times, pedophilia, sodomy, homosexulity and other evil acts have been on the increase in different parts of the country.

Political dissatisfaction and social discontent are major characteristics of living in Nigeria today.
The problems of nationhood revolving around power sharing have brought about perpetual anger in the land.
Interestingly, the economic reforms of the outgoing administration have violated the country's constitution-Section 15(3) of the 1999 constitution, which states that the government must promote a balanced economy and that the government must not allow the resources of the country to be in a few hands of individuals or groups.
Sadly, all the institutions that ought to sustain democracy-the Judiciary, the Legislature, the Police and the political class are already vigorously  undermining it.
The silence and inertia of a number of state governors, occasioned by self-interest, have not helped matters in the face of bizarre acts and conduct that have left Nigerians amazed, helpless and dumbfounded.

An Unambiguous Description
The scenario in Adamawa state, before, during and after the supplementary election in the state have become concise summaries of the February 25th and March 18th polls in Nigeria. A written script that now tastes sour.

Leaders of ethnic groups in Nigeria have been called upon to warn their members to desist from making unguarded statements.
This call was made by the Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, who is also the chairman of the A\ssociation of Non-Indigienes Traditional Heads in the state, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie in a Facebook post on his timeline.

twitter handle-@EzeAlexAno95807

                ''All ethnic groups in Nigeria should talk to and caution their careless talkers in the interest of our country, Nigeria.''

Advice to Town Unions and Associations
My advice to members of town unions in Oyo state and other places is that they should shine their eyes and make sure they attend meetings regularly and be carried along with what is going on in their meetings. They should not just leave everything to the leadership alone, because there are situations, wherein, in some town union meetings/association meetings, some, not all, of them, their leadership has been bought over by some people who may not be willing to do the right thing in society, because of their selfish interests and their leadership, on the fact that they have been bought over would now keep on misleading the union or association into doing the wrong things, instead of the right things.

The leadership now overshadow them, and in the process, follows the union derails and follows the wrong track which may even be unlawful, which eventually becomes a risk to the peace of society. For instance, an association or town union can critically  look into any matter and agree on the way they want to go, the majority, and they commence on that journey.
Now along the way, some of their leaders are bought over either with contracts, patronage or whatever.These forces that bought them over, are forces  who want to  destroy their agreement on the way they are going.
Now the leadership decides to derail their agreed movement, thereby causing trouble within the group and society at large.
So, if any town union or association wants to choose their leaders, they should be leaders with integrity, selflessness and the fear of God, not long-throated leaders.
So, they should try to make sure that they know what is going on in their town union or association meetings.

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Justice Department Recovers Over $53M in Profits Obtained from Corruption in the Nigerian Oil Industry

The Justice Department announced today the final resolution of two civil cases seeking the forfeiture of various luxury assets that were the proceeds of foreign corruption offenses and were laundered in and through the United States.

With the conclusion of the cases, the department has recovered roughly $53.1 million in cash – constituting the net liquidated value of the defendant’s assets – plus a promissory note with a principal value of $16 million.

According to court documents, from 2011 to 2015, Nigerian businessmen Kolawole Akanni Aluko and Olajide Omokore conspired with others to pay bribes to Nigeria’s former Minister for Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who oversaw Nigeria’s state-owned oil company. In return, Alison-Madueke used her influence to steer lucrative oil contracts to companies owned by Aluko and Omokore. The proceeds of those illicitly awarded contracts totaling more than $100 million were then laundered in and through the United States and used to purchase various assets through shell companies, including luxury real estate in California and New York as well as the Galactica Star, a 65-meter superyacht. The real estate was also used as collateral for loans to Aluko and shell companies he controlled. As part of the forfeiture process, those lien holders were paid.  

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Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office, and Chief Jim Lee of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement.

The FBI’s International Corruption Squad in the Washington Field Office and the IRS-CI investigated the cases, with assistance from the FBI Los Angeles Field Office.

Trial Attorneys Michael W. Khoo and Joshua L. Sohn of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section prosecuted the cases. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas provided substantial assistance. 

These cases were brought under the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative. This initiative is led by a team of dedicated prosecutors in the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, in partnership with federal law enforcement agencies, and often with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, to forfeit the proceeds of foreign official corruption and, where appropriate, to use those recovered assets to benefit the people harmed by these acts of corruption and abuse of office.

In 2015, the FBI formed International Corruption Squads across the country to address national and international implications of foreign corruption. Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the United States should contact federal law enforcement at tips.fbi.gov/ or send an email to kleptocracy@usdoj.gov.

Source-FBI

On Monday, 20 July 2001, at a remembrance lecture and book lunch in honor of the late Lt. Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi in Ibadan, Nigeria, Major General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo(RTD) of blessed memory has summarized the situation in Nigeria in the following words:

''In our country, the system has produced despots that foist totalitarianism regimes on us and allows mediocrity to triumph over merit, hence our continued backwardness as a nation.''

Those who possess the political power today must have started taking stock of the legacies they are about to leave behind, particularly the huge debt burden at the center and the states.

Another legacy to be left behind are thousands of lives that have been lost for economic and security reasons, in addition to those who remain unaccounted for under this administration.

The leaders in their second and final lap are anxious to throw in the towel, while the ones still having a term to go are working vigorously to cover their tracks a bit longer.

The desperation to conduct the National Population Census, the huge amount set aside for the Kano/Marahadi rail project, the rush to commence the Nigeria Air flight operations and the imminent airport concession among others in the twilight of this administration speaks volumes.

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Wielding the Big Stick

Several grievous and heinous crimes have been traced t commercial motorcyclists a.k.a Okada riders, who are mostly foot soldiers, supporters, admirers and well wishers of the ruling political parties in a number of states.

For peace to reign and for the safety of innocent Nigerians to be guaranteed, leaders must wield the big stick on their followers with criminal tendencies.

However, sadly, lawlessness, crime and all forms of criminality are now a lingering culture and tradition in several communities, including Molusi, Onafuwa Solanke, Oeygbami, Oshodi, Kehinde Aderibigbe, Olorunsogo, Molete, Aluko, Felele and Scout Camp communities.

Indeed, the overbearing indicators are that the government at all levels are complicit.

Non-Indigenes in Ibadan and Oyo state have appealed to the  re-elected Governor of the state to vigorously sustain the prevailing peace and tranquility in the state in his second term in office.

This appeal was made on behalf of the Non-indigenes by the Eze ndigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie, who doubles as the chairman of the Association of Non-indigenes Traditional Heads in the state in their congratulatory message.

Eze(Dr.) Anozie also called on the state Governor to ensure the speedy rehabilitation of several bad roads in the state capital and across the state.

''I am saying a very big congratulation to our young, amiable and dynamic Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde. I am saying this on behalf of myself, all Ndibgo and Non-Indigenes Traditional Heads in Oyo state, of which I am the chairman . We are happy because God has answered our prayers and blessed him, the Governor, with the opportunity to serve a second term. We wish him all the best and we pray to God almighty to continue to bless him with good health, wisdom and guidance from above, for him to even do better during his second term.''

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''He will now become the second person to run for a second term in Oyo state. I want to give him a challenge as partners in progress to continue to ensure that there is peace and unity which is already in place in Oyo state and to continue to be in place. Let him continue to show love to all and sundry in the state and God will continue to bless him. And let him try as much as possible, to fulfill promises he made during his campaign for a second term. More importantly, we are still noticing roads that are bad in Oyo state, particularly in Ibadan. The governor should strive to revamp those roads and make sure they are in a good state, particularly the inland roads.''

''Most of the major roads are in good condition, but the inland roads are terribly bad. Let him use his second term to give Ibadan city very good roads. I am assuring him that we, in our positions as leaders of the people, of our maximum cooperation towards the maintenance of peace and orderliness in the state. I believe that anywhere there is good leadership, the followers always listen and they all keep peace wherever they reside. So, we wish the governor good luck and God's favor in all ramifications,'' Eze(Dr.) Anozie stated.

Eze(Dr.) Anozie also blamed the unpleasant happenings on political leaders who fail to caution their followers, saying, ''Let me use this opportunity to congratulate and appreciate all the political parties ' gubernatorial candidates, those who could not make it and those who made it. The greatest achievement they have to their credit is the prevailing peace in Oyo state. Oyo state is more peaceful than so many other states. That has portrayed various parties' gubernatorial candidates as gentlemen and good politicians. I am saying kudos to all of them.
I have always said that the best should be doing politics without bitterness. Then I am appealing to the authorities and to all the mercenaries concerned in midwifing our elections to find a solution to the rigging of elections and violence during elections.
This is in addition to all other vices bringing about tension in our elections.
And I believe that thuggery in whatever form in our elections will be a thing of the past if the needful is done.
I want to put the blame on the doorstep of political groups, because if the leaders caution their supporters on the need not to cause violence, the snatching of ballot boxes and the  breach of peace, their followers will listen.
So one is tempted to take the blame on most political parties. Followers always like to listen to their leaders. So maybe the leaders are not cautioning their followers enough. Maybe that is why we are having violence everywhere.

The Sacredness of Human Lives
The apex bank has decided to force business owners in Nigeria to close shop with its suicidal 18 per cent lending rate. This is worrisome, even when it is a known fact that a lot of innocent blood has been shed. Those responsible will account for their evil deeds. Human lives ought to be sacred.  

The leaders have woefully failed to ensure participatory governance, which is facilitates the protection of the interests of Nigerians.

From the center to the states, self-centered interests are the preference, since a sizable number of these leaders attained political offices through under-the-table means. Stagnation is the order of the day for most Nigerians, while suppression, manipulation and enforcement have become indispensable tools in the hands of Those-in-Authority.

Without doubt, nearly all the democratic institutions have been deformed and rendered prostate, even as a criminal conspiracy against Nigerians has eventually been legitimized.

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King Herod as a Role Model

Insensitivity, heartlessness, lack of accountability and deceit are now the hallmarks of those who claim to have been democratically elected. Nigerians now look up to God for deliverance from the dark powers that have constituted themselves into the Biblical King Herod. Their role model. Perhaps.

God has always been with Nigerians, regardless of the pains, anguish, sorrows and hardships.

This assertion was made by Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi.

''Nigerians should not despair or lose hope. We are not alone. God has always been with us in our times of sorrow, pain, anguish and hardships. God remains our protector and fortress. There is light at the end of the tunnel,'' Pastor Ajayi stated.

In another development, a university Don has described the attitude of Nigerians towards change as unencouraging.

According to Prof. Benjamin Ehige of the Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, this is despite the fact that the concept of change is attractive.

Prof. Ehige made this known on Thursday at a business summit organized by the Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria(PROSAN), Ibadan, Nigeria.

''The concept of change looks attractive, but our attitude to change is not encouraging. People find it difficult to a change in behavior. We must think of a change of attitude, place and perceived need for change. There are attempts to dig deep into where an individual comes from during elections.

Self-Indictment

Shutting down secondary schools for unruly, wayward, unbecoming and criminally-friendly behavior exposes lapses in the education sector. In other words, the government of the day has indicted itself. This is leadership by example

Events have since proven that the votes of Nigerians did not count in the just concluded Presidential and national assembly elections.

Interestingly, Those-in-Authority have continued to vigorously rationalize the failed elections.

The present reality is that Nigerians no longer have the freedom to choose their leaders and the right to identify alternatives of choice.

Since the electoral umpire is comfortable taking directives from its paymasters, rather than asserting its independence, Nigerians insist that the elections were a good reflection of organized fraud.

Indeed, as the days go by, towards May 29th, the definition of governance for Those-in-Authority, which is access to sudden wealth and equitable rewards system for all who are involved, gradually fades into oblivion.

Ominous Times Ahead

The uncomfortable silence of Those-in-Authority, days after the apex court delivered a people-friendly judgment on the Naira Re-design policy, has exposed the ominous times ahead.

Concerned members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions(NASU), University College Hospital(UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria on Thursday organized the maiden edition of the Manifesto for contestants for the 2023 NASU UCH elections.
In her opening remarks, the chairperson of the organizing committee, Miss Winifred Agogo stressed that the elections were very important to NASU members, adding''we must elect executives with integrity, who are reliable, transparent and with foresight, who will enable all staff to reach the peak of their careers regardless of ethnicity, tribe and religion.''
Miss Agogo also noted that the mianfesto was the first of its kind in the history of the branch and UCH in general.
In his remarks, the branch chairman of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals(NUAHP), who doubles as the chairman of the union in the state, Mr. Oladayo Alabampe admonished the contestants to be fully prepared for the task ahead, saying '' the elections should be seen as a game and not a war. If it goes your way, that means they want you, if it does not go your way, they don't want you.''
For the chairman of NASU in the state, Mr. Adepeju, '' the pillar of unity should not be broken after the elections.''
Contestants present at the program include Mrs. Omolara Ajenifuja, Mr. Oluwaseun Asogobon and Mr. Kehinde Abiona, incumbent treasurer, secretary, and chairman respectively, while other contestants stayed away.
A major source of concern for the NASU and other unions revolves around the contributory pension scheme.