Sen. Shuaib-Afolabi Salis representing Ogun Central in the 10th National Assembly, says the task of building a virile nation rests on the shoulders of all Nigerians.

The senator stated this at the launch of a book titled “Understanding pension administration and management in the contemporary world” in Abuja on Wednesday.

The book is written by Dr Imran Adekunle, a graduate of accounting, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State

The senator, who was the keynote speaker at the event, emphasised the need for Nigerians to begin to focus on issues such as pension reforms to evolve an egalitarian society.

He stressed the need for more confidence in the administration of pensions. 

“The book we are launching today will contribute in our search for more accountability in the pension administration.

“The task of nation building rests on the shoulders of all Nigerians, we just have to get it right,” he said.

Ahmed Raji, (SAN), who was the chairman of the occasion said that the book is important at this stage of Nigeria’s development.

Mr Raji who acknowledged the author’s dexterity said that the book will deepen knowledge on what pension is all about.

“We should take pain to read the book and learn what pension is all about, we must all take interest in the book to move the administration of pension forward,” he said.

The book reviewer,  Babatunde Alayande, deputy general nanager, National Pension Commission, said that the book provides an insightful comprehensive evolution of Nigeria pension system.

He said that the book also draws valuable comparison with global best practices of pension administration and management, adding that it covers aspects of actuarial valuable and pension benefit calculation.

“The book is structured into 14 chapters, it will serve as practical guide for policy makers, practical source of information to employees and employers, as well as the academia.

“The strength of the book is that it is practical, a thorough overview of cross country pension system.It has historical presentation of pension scheme in Nigeria.

” The book can inspire further pension reform,” Mr Alayande said.

Also reviewing the book, Prof. Kabiru Dandago of Accounting Department, Bayero University Kano (BUK), noted that the book will serve Nigeria’s economic development if it is put to proper use.

He urged the author to work on the second edition, saying that the pension system is a protective system to the wellbeing of humanity, and that it is a post service benefit.

The don urged those in authority in the education sector to consider developing a course curriculum that will dwell much on pension administration and management.

He lamented the lack of research on pension administration and management, saying that few of those running PhD and Msc careless about writing a thesis about pension administration in Nigeria.

Earlier, the author said that he was inspired to write the over 300-page book as a result of scarcity of materials in Nigeria on pension administration and management.

“The concept of pension is complex anywhere in the world, the book is written in order to simplify and minimise the complexity and management,” the author said.

 (NAN)