Former, current National Pilot staff commend Saraki for salary arrears payment, appeal for outstanding 10 employees

The former and current staff of National Pilot Newspaper has expressed great admiration for former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON, for his intervention in clearing long-standing salary arrears owed to members of staff by the management.

In a letter signed by the former and current Staff, National Pilot Newspaper and addressed to the Waziri of Ilorin, dated 21st of July 2026, the staff extolled Saraki’s action as “compassionate and fatherly,” saying that the “timely and generous” intervention “restored hope and dignity to many families who had endured immense financial hardship following the prolonged non-payment of salaries.”

It was recalled that management of National Pilot Newspaper was owing the sum of 58 months salary arrears. The letter confirmed that 30 members out of 40 staff members have been paid 29 out of their 58 months.

“This remarkable gesture has undoubtedly brought relief and renewed confidence to those affected, showcasing exceptional leadership, compassion, and a genuine concern for the welfare of those who served the organisation faithfully. Such acts of generosity are rare and will long be remembered,” the letter reads.

They further prayed that the Almighty Allah (SWT) “continue to guide, protect and bless you abundantly and always come to your aid whenever you call upon Him, just as you came to ours.”

However, while acknowledging and applauding the initiative, the staff brought to Dr. Saraki’s attention the fact that 10 staff members have not yet been paid the of 29 months of their salary arrears, received by other 30 staff.

The letter noted that, “these deserving individuals stood shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues during the most difficult period in the history of the newspaper,” remained “loyal, worked diligently under extremely challenging circumstances, and contributed immensely to keeping National Pilot Newspaper in operation,” yet, “despite their dedication and sacrifice, their outstanding salary arrears remain unpaid.”

They emphasized that they “fully appreciate the enormous responsibilities that accompany your distinguished position and the numerous demands on your time and resources,” but have been encouraged by Dr. Saraki’s “well-established reputation for fairness, justice and compassion,” believing “it was never your intention that any deserving member of staff should be left behind.”

Consequently, the staff made “a humble and earnest appeal for you to kindly extend your benevolence once again by facilitating the payment of the outstanding twenty-nine months’ salary arrears owed to the remaining ten members of staff.” This, they believe, “would complete this noble act of generosity and ensure that every affected employee receives equal consideration and relief.”

The final gesture, they added, “would not only bring comfort and closure to the remaining staff and their families but would also further reinforce your enduring legacy as a compassionate leader who stands by those in need.”

The staff concluded with prayers for Almighty Allah to “reward your generous spirit abundantly and grant you excellent health, long life, greater wisdom, and continued success in your service to humanity,” while extending “the assurances of our highest esteem and enduring gratitude.”

The letter reads:

LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY, DR ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI.

Your Excellency,
Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON,
Waziri of Ilorin,
Former President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Heartfelt Appreciation and Humble Appeal for the Payment of Outstanding Salary Arrears of the 10 Remaining National Pilot Newspaper Staff

We, the current and former staff of National Pilot Newspaper, write to express our profound appreciation and sincere gratitude for your compassionate and fatherly intervention in the payment of the long-outstanding salary arrears owed to members of staff, by the management.

Your timely and generous action has restored hope and dignity to many families who had endured immense financial hardship following the prolonged non-payment of salaries.

We are pleased to acknowledge that thirty members of staff have now received payment of their twenty-nine months’ out of fifty-eight salary arrears owed by National Pilot Newspaper Management. This remarkable gesture has brought relief and renewed confidence to those affected, and we remain deeply grateful for your kindness and empathy.

Your intervention has demonstrated exceptional leadership, compassion and a genuine concern for the welfare of those who served the organisation faithfully. Such acts of generosity are rare and will long be remembered.

We pray that Almighty Allah (SWT), in His infinite mercy, will continue to guide, protect and bless you abundantly. May He always come to your aid whenever you call upon Him, just as you came to ours. Ameen.

Your Excellency, while we celebrate this significant intervention, we respectfully wish to bring to your attention that ten members of staff are yet to receive payment of their twenty-nine months’ salary arrears.

These men and women stood shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues during the most difficult period in the history of the newspaper.

They remained loyal, worked diligently under extremely challenging circumstances, and contributed immensely to keeping National Pilot Newspaper in operation. Regrettably, despite their dedication and sacrifice, their outstanding salary arrears remain unpaid.

We fully appreciate the enormous responsibilities that accompany your distinguished position and the numerous demands on your time and resources.

Nevertheless, we are encouraged by your well-established reputation for fairness, justice and compassion. We firmly believe it was never your intention that any deserving member of staff should be left behind.

It is, therefore, our humble and earnest appeal that you kindly extend your benevolence once again by facilitating the payment of the outstanding twenty-nine months’ salary arrears owed to the remaining ten members of staff.

Such an intervention would complete this noble act of generosity and ensure that every affected employee receives equal consideration and relief.

Your Excellency, this final gesture would not only bring comfort and closure to the remaining staff and their families but would also further reinforce your enduring legacy as a compassionate leader who stands by those in need.

May Almighty Allah reward your generosity abundantly, grant you excellent health, long life, greater wisdom and continued success in your service to humanity.

May He continue to elevate you, protect you and your family, and bless all your endeavours. Ameen.

Please accept the assurances of our highest esteem and enduring gratitude.

Yours faithfully,
The Current and Former Staff
National Pilot Newspaper
21st July, 2026