The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Lagos State Chapter, has demanded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu resolve unpaid entitlements within 14 days.
At a Wednesday press conference, retirees condemned the non-implementation of a N32,000 monthly pension increase (effective July 2024 under the Minimum Wage Act) and 57 months of arrears from 2019 adjustments.
NUP Chairman Rev. Oluremi Johnson accused the government of ignoring repeated appeals to officials, including the Head of Service and LASPEC DG.
Johnson stated, “We have made spirited attempts to meet with the Head of Service and the LASPEC Director-General, but all to no avail. We have called, written letters, and followed due process, yet they continue to ignore us,”
The pensioners are also demanding the immediate payment of arrears from the 20% five-yearly pension increase, which became effective in January 2024, as well as the inclusion of all pensioners from state parastatals on the ORACLE payment platform.
Vice Chairman of the union, Rev. Dr. Titus Gregory Aderemi, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating welfare of elderly pensioners, many of whom receive as little as N5,000 monthly, an amount he described as grossly inadequate given the skyrocketing cost of living.
“They have messed the old people up. We have suffered. How will a government not take care of the elderly?” Aderemi lamented.
Reflecting on his personal contributions, the 83-year-old retired teacher decried the state’s treatment of its senior citizens:
“I have spent decades shaping the lives of leaders in this country. Yet, we are left to struggle in our old age. Where is the justice?”
Aderemi also cited the rising cost of living following the removal of fuel subsidies, which has worsened the financial hardship of pensioners whose benefits remain stagnant despite the country’s economic crisis.
With the 14-day ultimatum in place, the pensioners have vowed to escalate their actions if the government fails to meet their demands.
Johnson urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to take immediate steps to resolve these issues, stressing that pensioners deserve dignity, not neglect.
“We are senior citizens, and we don’t want to become senior miscreants. We appeal to the governor to come to our aid by approving all our entitlements.” he added.
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