A few weeks ago, it was alleged that a governor in the South West Nigeria had diverted the pension fund to another use. He refused to make the required payments of state’s contribution to Pencom. The governor was even boasting that he was sure of his second coming to the Government House. What that boastful governor did was just a little different to what happened in Ogun State, where the then governor was alleged to have called pensioners “Dead Bodies”. He was voted out of office which he had refurnished for his second coming, but, that was his end in the Government House.
The ex-service men who fought during the civil war too protested for alleged non-payment of their pensions. What heartless people are in government of this nation call Nigeria?
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An administrator was alleged to have allotted a plot of land to his week-old son in Abuja, the FCT, whereas civil servants who served the nation for 35years were not allotted any. This man went to be a governor of a state.
It is strikes and strikes on end, and yet, the governments, both at states and federal levels, feel comfortable. Those at the helms of affairs should wake up and do the needful for the people of this nation.
The president Nigerians need in 2023 should be a man or woman with human and God-fearing face. He/ she should make the welfare of the senior citizens of this country one of his/her priorities. All Nigerians who have NIN and are 70 years and above should be receiving stipend from state and federal governments accounts. As most of them would have natural health challenges at this age of their lives, the payment should be made every two weeks. Those of them that are strong enough, who can deliver papers at seminars and workshops should be given opportunities to share their wealth of knowledge with younger ones.
The present generation of government administrators should not help to send this class of people to their early grave by refusing to pay their gratuities and pensions when due. Such civil servants have naturally cursed the future of Nigeria.
In other civilised countries, senior citizens and pensioners are the backbone of community security. The government makes use of them as they know almost everybody in their area. As soon as there is a new face in their area, they would notify the authority.
A government that cannot fulfill its promise or any promise by a previous government should bury its face in shame. You cannot shift a football post during a football match.
The next president of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces should give Nigerians a living wage that would make them proud of his/her tenure. He should not make senior citizens and pensioners be in penury anymore. Nigeria is a country flowing with milk and honey, but Nigerian politicians are feeding fat and sending the majority of Nigerians into poverty. Enough is enough.
Dr Sunday O. Ajai can be reached via [email protected]
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