Economy

Retirees Lament Implementation of Pension Increase

By Web News 154 5

By Olusegun Folarin

Senior citizens under the aegis of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) have lamented the delay in payment of the 33 percent pension increase and consequential adjustment to pensions approved by President Bola Tinubu since last year.

Zonal Public Relations Officer of the Union in the Southwest, Dr Olusegun Abatan, made this known at the end of a quarterly southwest meeting of the Pensioners in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.

Dr Abatan lamented the failure of governors in the southwest region to start paying the 32,000 naira to Pensioners as directed by President Bola Tinubu, pointing out that only Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State had shown commitment by initiating partial payment of the money.

The pensioners’ spokesman who also applauded Governor Makinde for the prompt release of funds to offset the pension and gratuities in the state, urged other governors in the region to emulate the kind gesture.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure compliance by the state governors and urged the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate to step up the implementation for retired federal workers to alleviate the sufferings of senior citizens in the country.

Dr Abatan equally appealed to relevant authorities to rescue all pensioners banking with the defunct Heritage Bank who could not access their monies for the past 18 months.

Earlier, the National President of the Union, Comrade Goodwin Abumisi had promised continuous engagements with the relevant stakeholders on the need to pay greater attention to the welfare of senior citizens in the country.

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Economy

NUP Calls for Separate Ministry for Senior Citizens

By Web News 491

By Wale Oluokun

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, in the South West Zone has appealed to the incoming administration at the federal level to create a separate ministry for retirees to properly address the challenges of senior citizens.

The Zonal Public Relations Officer of the union, Dr Olusegun Abatan while reading the communiqué of the pensioners after their quarterly meeting in Abeokuta stated that the retirees appealed to the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to improve the welfare of the pensioners.

The pensioners while congratulating the re-elected governors in the South West urged all of them to implement the consequential adjustment and the thirty-five per cent increment in pension.

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Crime

Alleged Blasphemy : Islamic Scholar Condemns Student’s Killing

By Web News 589

Chief Imam, Osun State University, Ejigbo Campus, Dr Olalekan Kolapo has condemned the mob killing of Miss Debora Samuel in Sokoto state for alleged blasphemy of Prophet Mohammed.

Dr Kolapo stated this while delivering a post-Ramadan Lecture of Pensioners F.m, in Ibadan.

He said there was a due process to follow before determining what punishment to be given for blasphemy.

Speaking on the theme of the lecture, “making Old Age Sweet: Islamic Directive”, Dr Kolapo said Government, the society, individuals and the elderly have roles to play in the upkeep of the elderly.
The cleric urged children to tolerate their aged parents whom he said have the tendency of exhibiting child-like behaviours.
He urged government at all levels to improve the welfare of workers in the country.
Earlier in a welcome address, General Manager of Pensioners F.m, Onireke, Ibadan. Dr Babatunde Tiamiyu said the lecture became imperative as it would enable parents, children, and society to discover their roles.
Dr Babatunde appreciated the Oyo state Governor for prioritizing the welfare of workers in the state.
“what is the essence of this lecture.? Society, the parents, and the children have roles to play. This lecture is put in place to let us know our roles to the elders”

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Pensioners F.m, Dr Olusegun Abatan said the Pensioners secretariat, hall and the radio station were put in place through the collective contributions of pensioners.
” the hall where you are sitting, the secretariat and the f.m radio is a three years contributions from pensioners. Construction of our hospital is ongoing. Very soon, it will be ready for use”

Dr Abatan who said before the advent of Christianity and Islam, the Yoruba was one indivisible entity stressed the need for all and sundry to maintain religious tolerance.
“I must also commend everyone of us for religious tolerance that pervades our space. In some areas, the upheavals experienced is mainly about my religion or sect is better than yours but we thank Almighty Allah that such is not happening here. we must remain one indivisible people, particularly in the face of many challenges starring us in the face”

Dr Abatan appreciated the state Governor Seyi Makinde for reviving the hope of survival of pensioners in the state.

He also pledged the support of pensioners for good governance in the state.

In an interview, the former senator representing Oyo central and former speaker, oyo state house of assembly, Alhaji Monsurat Sunmonu, who condemned the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel also implored Oyo state government not to relent in prioritizing the welfare of pensioners in the state.


Rotimi Famakin