17th June, 2015
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ondo State chapter, on Tuesday, protested to the State Governor’s Office, demanding the payment of their three months pension arrears.
Under the scorching sun, they carried placards with the following inscriptions: Pay Our 3 Months Arrears, We Are Dying of Hunger and Starvation, Save Our Souls, We Are Oil Producing State, Why Owing Us Our Entitlements?
The Chairman of NUP, Akure South, Mr Akin Adubuola, said they had been outrightly abandoned. “They served the government with all their capacities.’’
According to him, the state owes the senior citizens three months pension allowances, gratuities, five years arrears of 33% and some other benefits.
He said the entitlements were their right, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Adubuola implored the State Government to come to their rescue by paying their entitlements, so as to put an end to the spate of sudden deaths.
He said the pensioners were also exposed to prolonged sicknesses and sufferings due to the non-payment of their outstanding arrears and other entitlements.
Other union leaders, Mr Femi Odere and Mrs Mary Abiola, urged Gov. Olusegun Mimiko to have pity on them as many had died out of frustration.
The Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters, Mr Dayo Fadahunsi, implored the pensioners to exercise patience.
Fadaunsi explained that the delay was due to the financial crisis presently rocking the country.