Senior citizens in Ogun state, south west Nigeria, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners have protested the non payment of their 12 years gratuities estimated at N68billion by the state government.
The group alleged the Governor Dapo Abiodun – led administration, has failed to fulfil its promise to alleviate their sufferings through prompt payment of gratuties and other entitlements.
The senior citizens marched from their secretariat to the governor’s office in Abeokuta, chanting anti-government songs and carrying placards with various inscriptions to register their grievances.
Leader of the Group, Comrade Waheed Oloyede , lamented that non implementation of 33.4 percent increment in their pension by the government has impoverished pensioners, stressing that by withholding their gratuities, the meagre N5,000 minimum pension being paid to some of their members “is grossly inadequate to meet with the present economic demands”.
Oloyede also lamented what he called the “acute lateness” in the payment of their monthly pensions, saying this has caused “untold financial hardship to the senior citizens who expend hugely on various ailments that occur as a result of old age.”
He accused the Governor of punishing pensioners by denying them of their entitlements.
“It has become obvious that Governor Dapo Abiodun is insensitive to our plight and is hell-bent to sustain his nonchalant attitude towards the vulnerable.
“Since it is realised that there is a calculated delay in action by the government to further frustrate the senior citizens towards the cemetery as many deaths occur on a daily basis for lack of economic salvation of the aged, we have therefore decided this day, Tuesday, the 27th of August, 2022, to resume our protest.
“This protest is meant to appeal to all well-meaning citizens of Ogun State, to prevail on Governor Dapo Abiodun to redeem all his promises on the basis of equity, justice and fairness to the ageing pensioners who now face varying health and psycho-social ageing challenges.”
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State Government Mr. Tokunbo Talabi while addressing the Pensioners, assured the senior citizens of quick response to their demands.
He said, “We are trying our best to make sure that all your demands are urgently attended to. You have a legitimate right to make these demands, but we are currently being face with limited resources.”
Talabi promised the Pensioners that he will facilitate and fast track a meeting between the pensioners and the state Governor in due time.
Hauwa Abu
