Under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Pensioners stated on Tuesday that they are the worst hit by galloping inflation that set in after the removal of fuel subsidies.
The pensioners lamented the suffering faced by their members, with meagre pensions paid to retired persons despite the cost of goods and services being out of their reach. They expressed that some members have even lost their lives prematurely.
Godwin Abumisi, the National President of NUP, spoke at the opening of the National Executive Council (NEC) union meeting held in Akure, Ondo State. He lamented the adverse effects of subsidy removal on average pensioners nationwide, stating that it has brought them pain, frustration, and hardship.
The pensioners appealed to the federal government not to renege on its promise to include pensioners in the N25,000 cash to cushion the economic hardship resulting from petrol subsidy removal, aiming to alleviate the pains of its members.
Abumisi stressed that the subsidy removal has further impoverished pensioners, urging the federal government to fulfil its promise due to the vulnerability of this group.
He said, “The Pensioners’ Day this year was celebrated on the 5th of October, 2023, in line with the declaration of the day as the Older Persons’ Day by the Federal Government.
“We addressed a world press conference and demanded the inclusion of pensioners in the N25,000 cash award announced by the Federal Government.
“Immediately after this, we met with the Hon. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu, and it is our hope that the list submitted will be treated with the needed zeal.
“This is why the theme of this year’s NEC meeting, “Effect of Subsidy Removal on an Average Pensioner,” is very apt and explicit.
“Without mincing words, the subsidy removal has brought with it pains, frustration, and hardship to average Nigerians, including pensioners.
“In light of this, we wish to use this occasion to passionately appeal to both the Federal, State, and Local Governments to do something very fast to assuage the pains of our members and other vulnerable Nigerians.”
While emphasising that its members have been struggling for financial survival, Abumisi said that if the palliatives are implemented promptly, devoid of bureaucratic bottlenecks, it will go a long way to calm down the frayed nerves of its members.
In his welcome address, the Ondo State Chairman of the NUP, Johnson Osunyemi, appreciated the union’s National body for granting Ondo State the opportunity to host this year’s edition of the NEC Meeting.
Osunyemi pledged their total support and unfeigned loyalty to the National Headquarters, promising to operate in accordance with the spirit and constitution of the union. He also commended Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, for prioritizing the welfare of pensioners in the state.
“Distinguished pensioners, although we still tremble under the cumbersome yoke of unpaid gratuities, we have decided to celebrate our Governor today because he paid all the arrears of pensions he inherited from his predecessor. Equally, he has implemented all the increases in our pensions.
“Incidentally, and sadly too, his promises to ease the problems of pensioners are being encumbered by ill-health. As a parting request by the host council to our guests, we appeal to you to kindly join us in praying for the quick recovery of our kind and God-fearing Governor.”
In his remarks, Ondo State Governor Akeredolu, represented by his Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaye, said, as part of his administration’s commitment to the welfare of pensioners, monthly pensions are being paid as at when due, while the government prioritizes allocating a substantial amount of money for the payment of gratuities.
Besides, the senior citizens also presented an award of excellence to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, NLC Vice President, Comrade Sunday Adeleye, the State Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, among others, in appreciation of their laudable welfare initiatives for retirees.
