—-House Committee invokes constitutional powers, fixes April 30 hearing on Mbaivur petition_

By Felix Umande from Makurdi

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and two senior Air Force commanders to appear before it over allegations of assault, land grabbing, and unlawful encroachment against the Mbaivur Community in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.

Also summoned are the Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, Makurdi, Air Vice Marshal Michael Ekwueme, and the Commander, 151 Base Command, Nigerian Air Force, Makurdi.

The summons followed a petition laid before the House on Thursday, 29th January, 2026, by the Member representing Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency, Hon. Dr. Austin Asema Achado.

The petition alleges “sustained cases of physical assault, land grabbing, destruction of farmlands, unlawful encroachment, dehumanizing treatment of civilians, and persistent intimidation” of members of the Mbaivur Community by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.

In a formal notice issued on Tuesday, 21st April, 2026, and signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions, Hon. Kwamoti B. Laori, the affected officers were directed to appear in person before the Committee at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, 30th April, 2026.

The hearing is scheduled for Room 429, New Wing, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The Committee said it is acting under Sections 88 and 89(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which empower the National Assembly to conduct investigations into matters of public concern, including exposing corruption, inefficiency, or abuse of office.

Specifically, Section 89(1)(c) authorises legislative committees to compel the attendance of individuals and the production of relevant documents. The notice warned that failure to comply may result in the matter being heard and determined in the absence of the invited parties.

Speaking on the development, Dr. Asema Achado reaffirmed his commitment to due process, the rule of law, and the use of legislative oversight to address what he described as “longstanding grievances” of his constituents.

He stressed the need for accountability and justice in resolving allegations of unlawful treatment and encroachment affecting the Mbaivur Community.

The lawmaker also appealed for calm, urging members of the affected community to remain peaceful and law-abiding as the National Assembly undertakes its constitutional responsibility to investigate the matter and ensure that justice is served.

The April 30 hearing is expected to open a new phase in the protracted dispute between the Nigerian Air Force and host communities in Benue State over land and civil-military relations.

By Our Reporter

Federal Government has approved a new enhanced allowances package for civil servants to strengthen their morale.

Announcing the new packages was the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday.

She explained that the adjustment covers employees under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), ensuring that workers across various cadres benefit from the review.

According to her, the revised package affects all grade levels, with both junior and senior officers expected to see improvements in their overall take-home pay.

Among the key changes are increases in duty tour allowance (DTA), estacode, and book allowance, as part of a broader review of allowances captured in the Public Service Rules.

A notable aspect of the reform is the approval of 100 percent duty tour allowance for civil servants attending officially sanctioned training programmes. This applies even when such training takes place within the officer’s duty station, marking a shift from previous provisions.

In addition to the allowance adjustments, the government has introduced a new exit benefit scheme for retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme. The policy, which takes effect from January 1, 2026, guarantees retirees 100 percent of their final emoluments as an exit package, alongside their regular pension payments.

The Federal Government also reaffirmed the rollout of the Employee Compensation Scheme, aimed at providing financial support to workers affected by work-related injuries or fatalities.

The reforms come at a time when labour unions have intensified calls for improved welfare packages, citing the impact of rising living costs on workers’ livelihoods. They also build on an earlier salary review approved about two years ago, which saw increases ranging from 25 to 35 percent across several salary structures.

The federal government has unveiled a 10 billion housing loan scheme for civil servants ahead of the oncoming 2027 Workers’ Day celebration.

This, aside other packages, was meant to boost the welfare and economic well-being of the workers.

In a release by Eno Olotu,
Director, Press and Public Relations Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the loan scheme was to expand access to affordable home ownership for public servants, alongside other welfare measures designed to improve their quality of life and financial security.

Unveiling the approvals at a press briefing, Friday, 24 April 2026, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has shifted the welfare of Civil Servants from rhetoric to reality. 

While Congratulating Civil Servants  on the landmark social benefits, Walson-Jack emphasized that Workers’ Day was not only a moment to reflect on past struggles but also an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to workers’ welfare, renew the promise for the future, and ensure that those who serve the nation were treated with justice, fairness, and appreciation.

The approved welfare package also include, full Duty Tour Allowance for approved trainings, upward review of Peculiar Allowance across grade levels, and increases in Estacode, Book Allowance, and other entitlements to reflect current economic realities.

She acknowledged the collaborative contributions of key institution, including the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board, and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in strengthening and delivering improved welfare packages for Civil Servants.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office-OHCSF, Dr. Usman Garba, described the broad scope of the social welfare for Civil Servants as all encompassing. He emphasized that a robust and well-structured welfare system was fundamental to enhancing productivity, boosting morale, and ensuring the overall well-being of officers in the Public Service. 

The event marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Government Housing Loans Board and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, designed to ease access to affordable housing loans for federal civil servants.

The press briefing was attended by key government officials, including Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Parastatals, as well as the Heads of the eight Labour Unions that make up the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, and Civil Servants.