FRCN pensioners threaten naked protest over unpaid arrears

Pensioners of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) have announced their intention to join a nationwide naked protest scheduled for December 8 over unpaid entitlements.

The National Financial Secretary of the pensioners, Bola Popoola, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria had earlier revealed plans to embark on the protest to demand payment of outstanding pension increment arrears and palliative allowances approved for members.

The coalition’s National Chairman, Mukaila Ogunbote, said the demonstration became necessary following prolonged delays in the settlement of pension obligations.

Popoola stated that FRCN retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme had been left with no choice but to participate in the demonstration to further press home their demands.

According to him, the arrears emanating from the N32,000 minimum pension remain unpaid, pushing many elderly retirees into hardship.

He added that the government’s refusal to implement the N25,000 palliative announced in 2023 for pensioners had worsened their situation.

“Our resolve to participate in the naked protest stems from the outright non-payment of the N25,000 palliative for six months, as approved since 2023 by President Bola Tinubu,” Popoola said.

He also noted that Nigerian pensioners abroad were preparing similar demonstrations in their respective countries to draw global attention to their plight.

Popoola lamented that pensioners, having served the nation during their productive years, should not be subjected to suffering or forced to beg for survival.

“Pensioners are in a vulnerable status. Subjecting them to begging on the streets is worrisome and requires urgent attention,” he added.