By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) under Gombe State Governor, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya is allegedly keeping silent as the death toll among beneficiaries of New Nigeria Newspaper company continue to rise over their unpaid entitlement.
According to reports 109 former staff of the organisation including journalists have died with the 109th victim, Ado Umar reportedly dying on Saturday at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital Tudun Wada Kaduna.
A post on a WhatsApp platform’ of the New Nigerian Newspapers of NSGF Beneficiary, by Alhaji Idris stated that “We lost 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 say that the number of beneficiaries in need of medical attention have 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.
