Labour

By Olaolu Fawole

Retirement is meant to be a time of rest and reflection, a reward for decades of hard work of Pensioners.

However, for pensioners under Nigeria’s Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), it has become a period of endless waiting, financial hardship, and unfulfilled promises.

The CPS, introduced in 2004 to replace the Defined Benefit Scheme, was designed to ensure a seamless retirement for workers through a contributory system managed by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

However, for many retirees, the delays in the payment of monthly pensions have turned the system into a source of anguish.

Endless Waiting, Mounting Hardship

For many pensioners, the monthly pension is their primary source of income.

The delays, often lasting months, have created a cascade of challenges.

Essential needs like food, housing, and medical care have become unaffordable luxuries.

The rising cost of living in Nigeria has only worsened their plights.

Inflation has pushed the prices of basic goods and services to record highs, leaving retirees unable to meet their daily needs.

Some have resorted to borrowing or relying on family members for support, while others have reportedly lost their lives due to an inability to afford life-saving medical care.

Why the Delays Persist

Several factors have been identified as the root causes of the delays. Chief among them is the failure of some employers, particularly state governments, to remit contributions promptly.

This has created backlogs that disrupt the flow of funds into pension accounts.

Administrative inefficiencies within PFAs and the cumbersome processes required to access pensions also exacerbate the situation.

Retirees are often forced to navigate bureaucratic hurdles, with errors in documentation and record verification delaying payments further.

Demands for Urgent Reform

Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Contributory Pension Scheme Sector has been at the forefront of calls for reform.

The union has also called for an upward review of pensions to reflect the economic realities of inflation and rising living costs.

The plights of pensioners under the CPS raises serious questions about Nigeria’s commitment to the welfare of its senior citizens.

Retirement should be a period of dignity and comfort, but for many, it has become a struggle for survival.

Experts agreed that systemic reforms are essential to restore confidence in the CPS.

This includes resolving payment delays and also ensuring that retirees can access their funds without unnecessary stress.

One thing is that the welfare of pensioners must become a priority.

Their years of service to the nation deserve more than broken promises and delayed payments.

For now, the voices of pensioners echo a simple plea, which is to live out their retirement in peace and dignity, free from the burdens of a system that was meant to protect them.

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Labour

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ogun State Council has described the recent release of two billion naira to its members by Governor Dapo Abiodun as evidence of his commitment to further reducing the backlog of accrued gratuities to pensioners in the state.

In a joint statement by the Chairman, Comrade Wasiu Oloyede and the Union’s Secretary, Dr Bola Lawal, the older citizens applauded the gesture, noting that the government had been sincere and humane to pensioners.

They acknowledged the regular and prompt payment of monthly pensions, the extension of the payment of 10,000 fuel subsidy palliatives by 9 months which ended in March 2024, as well as the inclusion of retirees among the beneficiaries of the government’s subsidized – rice sales outlet.

They also appealed to the State government to release the much awaited Consequential Increase in Pensions before the implementation of the proposed new wage increase in a bid to uplift the vulnerable and very aged few getting paltry earnings.

The Pensioners body expressed the hope that its members’ aspirations would be favourably attended to in no distant time, and promised their continued support to the present administration in the State.

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Economy

By Dayo Adu

For Pensioners to continue to live a meaningful life after retirement, there is a need for Government to review their benefits and entitlements. 

Founder and Spiritual Head, Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Professor Sabit Olagoke stated this at the 18th public service lecture entitled “Exploding more retirement life -public servant experience” organized by the National Forum of Heads of Federal Establishments, NAFOHEADS, Oyo State chapter held at the federal secretariat Ibadan.

 Professor Olagoke said he believed that, like the developed countries, the government should make life easier for retirees by fashioning out ways to make them live longer through creation of recreation centres for them and good allowances.

In a remark, the First Vice Chairman of NAFOHEADS in Oyo State,  Dr Stephen Adewumi said the lecture  was chosen as a  way of reducing untimely deaths among retirees and to make them engage in meaningful trade activities

Chairperson of NAFOHEADS in Oyo state, Mrs Funmilayo Mogaji said the NAFOHEADS week was marked in a low key with the lecture and the investiture of Professor Sabit Olagoke as the patron of the Forum.

Labour

By Funmi Ojo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has approved the release and distribution of bond certificates worth over 1.6 billion naira to retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

The Permanent Secretary, Local Government Staff Pension Bureau, Mr. Ibrahim Akibu made this known in a statement in Osogbo.

According to the statement, the 346 beneficiaries include 182 Primary school teachers and local government retired staff.

The presentation ceremony will take place on Thursday, 21st December, 2023, at the Local Government Service Commission building.

The statement adds that the presentation of the bond certificates is a continuation of the commitment of the state government to workers’ welfare, in and out of service.

It would be recalled that Governor Adeleke had commenced payment of inherited half salaries and other emoluments owed public servants by the past administration.

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Labour

By Adenitan Akinola

Following the near death incident on Monday, where three pensioners collapsed, the Osun State Government has directed that all bedridden pensioners and others with serious health challenge will henceforth have their audit exercise conducted through telephone. 

 A statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi reveals that such pensioners, would no longer be required to be physically present at the venue of the screening exercise.

 The statement adds that pensioners who are currently outside the State would have their screening conducted via the same means. 

 It also says “Pensioners outside the state at the moment no longer need to travel down to Osun State as they will also be having their screening through the telephone. “Additionally, pensioners in the diaspora will also be screened only through video calls. 

 “In line with the above, the Pension Board is expected to make available all the particulars, especially pictures of pensioners to the Consultant, for ease of identification during the video call screenings. “The above directives take immediate effect.” 

 Recall that three members of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) Osun State chapter on Monday collapsed , during the ongoing staff audit exercise of the state workforce at the Center for Black Culture and International Understanding in Osogbo.

Retirees, numbering about 2,000 old men and women who are visibly aged, frail and in some cases sick, were seen at the venue of the screening. 

 A number of them who could not withstand long standing were seen either, lying down, sleeping or sitting on the bare floor to avoid eventuality. 

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Labour

By Adenitan Akinola 

Three pensioners today collapsed in Osogbo during the ongoing staff audit exercise organized by the Osun State Government for its workers.

The incident, it was gathered, threw members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners NUP into confusion as they ran from helter-skelter to revive their collapsed colleagues.

It took the intervention of the medics of the State Ambulance Service to revive and stabilise the victims.

Retirees, numbering about 2,000 old men and women, who are visibly aged, frail and in some cases sick, were at the premises of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, the venue of the ongoing screening exercise.

A number of them who could not withstand a long time standing were seen, lying down, sleeping or sitting on the bare floor and the grass to avoid any eventuality.

Radio Nigeria correspondent, who was at the venue of the screening exercise, reports that many of the pensioners were visibly angry for what they described as inhuman treatment by the handlers of the exercise.

One of them, Mr Samuel Aduroroja decried the arrangement and the eventual treatment of his colleagues, who came for the exercise from across the state.

Though, he agreed that the exercise as sanctioned by the State government was desirable, but was of the opinion that the process would have been made easier if it were to be done on local government or zonal basis.

At press time, the exercise was yet to commence as the consultant in charge, Saadat Bakri-Ottun, was yet to arrive at the venue while the aged pensioners continued to wait endlessly.

The staff audit was earlier suspended for weeks by the State House of Assembly over the inhuman treatment meted out to the civil servants by the consultant, but the suspension was lifted after she promised to correct her mistakes.

Recall that pensioners had called on the state government to decentralize the staff audit of the state workforce.

The pensioners under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Osun State Chapter said they were in the total support of the staff audit, but the government should put the aged and helpless retirees into consideration by decentralizing it.

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Security

By Funmi Adekoya

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has called for the establishment of a trans-regional security taskforce to track and curb cross border criminality in the Southwest.

Governor Adeleke made the call while receiving the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army to the state on a courtesy visit in his office.

The Governor described the visit as significant and a great opportunity to strengthen the security strategy on the sustenance of the current peace and stability not just in Osun but in the region.

While calling for a symbiotic working relationship between the state government and the GOC, Governor Adeleke assured the military team that Osun is the home of hospitality where no one is discriminated against based on tribe, ethnicity or religion.

Senator Adeleke commended the Commander of Engendering Construction Regiment, Ede Army Barrack, Brigadier General Kabiru Sulaimon for a wonderful job in securing the state, which has seen criminals who might be scouting for a place to perpetuate their activities sent away.

Earlier, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Valentine Okoro lauded the Osun State Governor for creating a safe and secure environment for residents to live and conduct lawful businesses.

Major General Okoro said he was in Osun as part of efforts to familiarize himself with the operational procedures in states under his Command.

He described Osun State as lucky with the presence of the Engineering Construction Command, Ede, which is full of all sorts of Army engineers, specialists and combatants that contribute to the security architecture of the State.

He therefore called for more collaboration between the security agencies and the people not just to secure but to sustain the stable environment but to improve on it by volunteering relevant and genuine information to the Nigerian Army which he described as people-centric.

Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved the release of bond certificates worth 2.1 billion naira to retirees under the contributory pension scheme at the State and Local Government level.

A statement by the Head of Service, Mr. Leye Aina indicates that the beneficiaries will receive the bond certificates tomorrow, Thursday, at the Local Government Service Commission hall, State Secretariat, Abere by 10am.

The statement urge beneficiary from Ministries, Departments and Agency from State and Local Government, secondary schools and tertiary institutions to be seated by 10 O’clock in the morning.

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News

By Funmi Adekoya

The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has issued a directive for the immediate payment of pension entitlement as planned in the template released earlier this year.

This was aimed at the government’s plan to enroll contributory pensioners in the state health insurance scheme.

The Governor, according to a statement by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, stated this while receiving pensioners’ leaders who paid him a sallah visit at his country home in Ede, Osun state.

He noted that, the template released earlier this year on clearing of outstanding salaries and pensions is still in force and subsequently directed the Head of Service to fast track the implementation by ensuring the payment of the pension arrears in line with the approved template.

The Governor maintained that, his administration is prioritizing workers’ welfare which covers in-service and out of service workers, assuring the pensioners that, they are not and cannot be forgotten.

He added that, said his administration’s pro-pensioners plan, is almost finalizing a plan to enroll the pensioners under the state health insurance scheme to address their health needs.

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News

Osun state government has released the sum of One Billion, One Hundred Million Naira (N 1,100,000,000) for pensions.

In a statement signed by the Head of Service, Dr Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade, the sum of Six Hundred Million Naira (N 600,000,000) of the released sum was released for the settlement of retired Primary School teachers and Local Government workers.

An additional Five Hundred Million Naira was approved to pay contributory pensions of retired officers of the civil service and parastatals.

According to the statement, the selected retirees are to collect their bonds on Thursday, 2nd June, 2022 at the Local Government Service Commission Multipurpose Hall, Abere.

The statement indicates that the list of beneficiaries of the approved sum has been pasted on the notice board of the Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation, the State’s Pension Bureau and the Office of the Head of Service.

Abiodun Adeoye

News

Pension Transitional Arrangement directorate, PTAD, says transformation of pension administration in Nigeria to the next level through prompt payments of monthly pension benefit remains its priority.

The Executive Secretary, PTAD, Dr Chioma Ejikeme stated this at the Southwest directorate stakeholders’ forum held at Jogor centre, Ibadan.

Dr Ejikeme said the forum became imperative to introduce interactive stakeholders engagement for face to face contact, where important issues would be discussed.

She noted that safety of pensioners was of utmost importance, thus the directorate had opened up more channels of communication and complaints resolution to enable them perform optimally.

Dr Ejikeme stated further that, despite numerous challenges facing the country, PTAD had continued to pay monthly pensions promptly, resolved complaints, cleared accrued arrears and payments of death benefits to some next-of-kins.

“Most recently, on the 14th of December, 2021, PTAD, completed the payments of all outstanding inherited liabilities of some defunct agencies.

Also, the directorate lauched “I AM ALIVE” confirmation platform for online application through smart phone or a computer.

Dr Ejikeme said the platform was designed to enable pensioners to enroll from their homes or neighbourhood unlike the old stressful ways of verification Exercise.

She stated further that the Exercise would take the pensioners through a three step process that ends with a text message.

The directorate also commissioned PTAD office at the Federal Secretariat, Ikolaba, Ibadan.

Reacting, some of the pensioners who were seen in relaxed mood and conducive environment appreciated PTAD for the positive turnaround of pensioners, who had witnessed untold hardship before this time.

They called on federal government not to relent on making life easy for them as they have no more strength to struggle to make end meets.

Rasheedah Makinde

News

The Osun House of Assembly, OSHA, is to receive the state’s budget estimate for 2022.

This is contained in a letter sent to the assembly by the governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola and read by the Speaker, Mr. Timothy Owoeye during the plenary.

Governor Oyetola is expected to lay the 2022 budget estimate before the assembly on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.

Under the Matter of Urgent Public Importance, the lawmaker representing Ejigbo State Constituency, Mr. Israel Oyekunle brought to the notice of the House the fire incident that occurred at Secretariat of Ejigbo South Local Government Development Area, Ilawo which destroyed local government property.

The House advised people to be careful when using electrical appliances at home and government offices.

Meanwhile, the Speaker, Mr. Timothy Owoeye has assured pensioners under the Contributory Scheme in the state that their 30 months half-salary arrears would be paid in due course. Mr. Owoeye gave the assurance while addressing the pensioners who came to House of Assembly Complex, Osogbo to register their grievances.

While appreciating the manner in which the retirees registered their grievances, the speaker, said the House would take necessary steps to address their issue.

He noted that the present administration has the interest of the retirees in mind, assuring them that he will meet the state governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola by next week on their issue and promised a positive result concerning the payment of their 30 months arrears.

Funmi Adekoya

Economy

Pensioners in Ogun State have renewed their appeal on the state Government to increase the monthly pensions stipends and gratuities to meet current economic realities.
The Chairman, Local government Pensioners Association of Nigeria, Abeokuta Branch, Chief Sikiru Ayilara made the call during a peaceful protest of the association at the Oke Mosan Abeokuta Governor’s office.
The peaceful protest disrupted vehicular movement for some hours, while the gates to the governor’s office were also shut, preventing exit and entry into the Secretariat.


The protesters carried mats and placards with inscriptions such as gratuities are on sale to Pensioners in Ogun state, Governor Dapo Abiodun honour your father and treat pensioners well.
Addressing journalists, The Chairman, Local government Pensioners Association of Nigeria, Abeokuta Branch, Chief Sikiru Ayilara said inability of the governor to address the agitations of pensioners, despite the series of meetings held with them in the past had necessitated the protest.


Chief Ayilara who described the monthly payment of five thousand naira to the pensioners as unacceptable said there was the need for Immediate harmonisation of the payments.
Chief Ayilara also stressed the need for government to return the responsibility of paying pensions and gratuities to the bureau of local government Pension.
Also, Mr Jerome Awakan and Jamiu Idowu who claimed that they were being paid four thousand naira each described the amount as ridiculous especially with the prevailing economic reality. ll
Addressing the protesters, Secretary to Ogun State Government, SSG, Mr Tokunbo Talabi said a meeting between the representatives of the pensioners and ogun state government would be held soon towards addressing their needs.

Mr Talabi who announced that the government had paid one billion naira for the first tranche of the gratuities commended the elder citizens for their peaceful conduct.

Segun Folarin

Economy

Osun State Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has approved the sum of One Billion, Six Hundred and Forty-four Million Naira for the payment of outstanding pension and gratuities of retired civil servants in the State.

According to a press release signed by the Head of the State’s Civil Service, Dr. Festus Oyebade, the sum of Five Hundred and Eight Million Naira of the released sum was approved for the payment of retired civil servants under the old pension scheme.

An additional sum of Four Hundred Million Naira was also earmarked to pay selected retirees under the Contributory Pensions Scheme.

The sum of One Million Naira was released for the payment of gratuities of retired officers under the old pensions’ scheme, bringing the total amount released for retired officers in the State’s service to One Billion and Eight Million Naira Only.

The Head of Service adds that the governor approved the release of Six Hundred and Thirty-eight Million Naira to retirees in the teaching and local government service.

According to the release, the list of beneficiaries of the approved sum has been pasted on the notice board of the Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation, the State’s Pension Bureau and the Office of the Head of Service.

Payment of the released funds is to start Tuesday, 15th June 2021.

Adenitan Akinola

Economy

The governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has disclosed that the State government would ensure that pensioners in the State would never be owed their pensions and gratuity.
The governor also vowed that his administration would have offset the #56billion accumulated gratuities the past administration owed pensioners before his tenure of office lapses.
These promises were made at the Annual Conference of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) that was held at Abuja recently, where the governor was honoured by the body as the Pensioners’ Friendly Governor and conferred with an Award of Excellence in Governance.
While appreciating the gesture of NUP, Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, who was represented by his Executive Assistant, Administration and General Services, Reverend Idowu Ogedengbe said the award was an encouragement for the governor to commit more, to the welfare of pensioners in Oyo State.
“When we came into administration in May 2019, we promised the people to serve them with sincerity, probity and accountability, we promised to run a government of inclusiveness and we are very mindful to let the people know the challenges we were facing when we came into office, we had quite a huge liability of arrears, pensioners’ gratuity was amounting to about #56billion and we did not want to give any excuse for non-performance.
“We decided to start off-setting these gratuities and as of today, we have paid out of that amount, #11.7billion, which translates to an average of over #500million naira every month, we desire to do more because it is our firm belief as an administration that you do not muzzle the mouth of the horse that trash the corn, our pensioners deserves the best, they have used their active years to to serve the State, now that they are out of service, we owe them the responsibility to ensure that they live a good life.
“Our desire is to ensure we clear all the backlog as soon as it is possible and to ensure that we do not leave any outstanding gratuity to future administration, to date, we ensure that all our pensioners are paid on the 25th of every month, just like every other government worker in Oyo State civil and public service, when we came in, initially, a sum of #100million was committed towards payment of pension monthly, we increased it to #180million in June 2019 and as at January 2021, it has been increased to #235million monthly, we plan to do better.”
The Chairman of the occasion, who is former governor of Kano State and Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, while presenting the award, said governor Makinde has shown sincerity in leadership and was worthy of the honour from the pensioners.
The event which was packaged by the national executive council of NIgerian Union of Pensioners had in attendance, the President of Nigerian Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba and his members of executive, States executive members of NUP, invited political office holders, among whom was the Special Adviser to governor Seyi Makinde on Labour Matters, Comrade Titilayo Sodo.
In his comment, The Secretary, Oyo State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Comrade Olusegun Abatan said the present administration in Oyo State has done enough to be celebrated as the friend of the pensioners in the State.
He called on his members to give their support to the government of Engr. Seyi Makinde so that the people would continue to benefit from dividends of democracy accruable from the programmes and policies of the State.

Kayode Banjo

Economy

Pensioners from Southwest under the contributory pension scheme have appealed to the National Pension Commission to begin payment of their fifteen and thirty three percent of their pension arrears since 2017.

The retirees made the plea during a protest to Broadcasting House, Radio Nigeria, Dugbe, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Speaking on behalf of the pensioners, the Southwest vice chairman of the Union, Chief Joseph Oyadiran, stated that the fifteen and thirty three percent of their monthly pension had been included in the annual budget since 2017.

Chief Oyadiran lamented the hardship being faced by pensioners under the contributory scheme due to the meager pension being paid to them.

While calling on the National Pension Commission to resume its twice in a year meetings with the pensioners, which had been suspended since 2019.

 Chief Oyadiran added that they were forced to embark on the protest as their save-our-souls letters written to the National Assembly and other well meaning Nigerians had not yielded any positive result.

Olaolu Fawole

Economy

Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, has solicited the intervention of Ogun State House of Assembly on the commencement of the payment of gratuities of retired workers from the State Service from 2014, alongside their Local Government Service counterparts from September, 2011.

The Ogun state Chairman of the union, Chief Waheed Oloyede made the appeal during a courtesy call to the Speaker  at the State House of Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Chief Oloyede who commended the State Government for the prompt payment of their monthly pensions also demand for the refund of the unremitted contributory pension deductions.

Responding, Speaker of the house of Assembly, Mr. Olakunle Oluomo, gave an assurance that the Assembly would prioritize the welfare of the elderly and the physically challenged, pointing out that a bill that would create new departments meant to address issues relating to their welfare was underway.

Mr. Oluomo also promised that the Assembly would continue to engage government towards ensuring the payment of their outstanding gratuities as soon as government receives the bond approved by the Assembly.

Earlier, members of the State chapter of the Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors led by Mr. Gbolahan Popoola also paid a courtesy call to the state house of Assembly. 

Oluwatoyin Adegoke.

Economy

Local Government Retirees in Osun state have called on the state government to refund all illegal deductions from their pension.

This was among other demands of the Osun Local Councils pensioners in a letter to the state government obtained by Radio Nigeria.

Radio Nigeria spoke with some of the affected pensioners.

https://radionigeriaibadan.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Osun-LG-Pensioneers.mp3

Adenitan Akionla

Lifestyle

Federal and State governments as well as pension administrators have been urged to improve on quality welfare package for retired civil servants as reward for their meritorious services. 

Oyo state Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, Rev Peter Omofoye gave the advice while speaking as a guest at a send forth programme for retired staff of National Orientation Agency, Oyo state. 

Reverend Omofoye who explained that it was worrisome to see retired civil servant suffering to survive as a result of delay in payment of pension allowance, said pensioners deserve a better life than the one they lived before retiring. 

He equally advised the retirees to live in the limit of their income, take priority in their health, avoid idleness and engage in activities that will always make them happy. 

Earlier in an address, Oyo state Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA Mrs. Dolapo Dosunmu advised retired or retiring civil servants to make judicious use of training programmes made available for prospective pensioners.

Fifteen of the formal staff of the NOA, Oyo state directorate who retired between 2016 and 2018 were hosted with a reception which had in attendance a onetime state director of the agency, Mr. Femi Mapaderun. 

Gifts were also presented to the retired staff. 

Mosope Kehinde