The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, has called out on the Federal Government to pay the six-months wage award of ₦25,000, per month owed to its members nationwide.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, the NUP’s Head of Information, Bunmi Ogunkolade, lamented that the Federal Government has not yet implemented the ₦25,000 wage award announced for pensioners in 2023.
“As of now, not a single pensioner across the country has received anything, while workers have been enjoying their ₦35,000 monthly wage increase for six months, ” Ogunkolade stated.
“So, what did the pensioners do wrong?’’ he asked
Ogunkolade commended President Bola Tinubu for promptly signing the new National Minimum Wage law, and urged that the implementation process should include pensioners.
Ogunkolade reiterated that pensioners are among those feeling the economic hardship in the country the most, resulting in the ill health of some of their aged members.
“It is pathetic, seeing our members down with health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, prostrate among others, and the state government they served for decades are not concerned about their plight.
“Some state governors would even ask the pensioners if they do not have children that they should take care of them,’’ he said.
He also expressed concern that some pensioners were still receiving pittance, as low as ₦2000 since they retired 15 years back.
Ogunkolade, therefore, urged state governors to implement the directive of 33.4 percent increments of 2010, along with the regular increments of 2015 and 2019 consequential adjustment increments.
