We Will Die of Hunger – South West Pensioners Cry Out; To invade States | The Source

By Ayodele Oni, Akure

Three states have been identified, in the South- West geopolitical zone as, allegedly, unfriendly to Pensioners, popularly called senior citizens.

This is coming a few days after senior citizens in Ekiti state, which is one of the, alleged, hostile states, rejected a  proposal to forfeit a certain percentage of their entitlements if they want prompt settlement.

Representatives of the Pensioners, who converged in Akure, Ondo state capital, for a two day parley pointed accusing fingers at two other states of Osun and Lagos.

They have concluded arrangements to invade the defaulting states to compel government to pay their entitlements to enable them reap their rewards here on earth.

The Southwest zone of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, ( NUP) while addressing journalists on the outcome of their meeting pointed out that some states in the zone, especially, Lagos, has refused to implement 142 pension increase since year 2000, while payment of six percent and 15 percent pension increase since 2003 and 2007, as well as issue of 33 percent pension increase since 2010 are still outstanding.

Zonal spokesman for the NUP, Comrade Olusegun Abatan, described Lagos State as the most notorious defaulting state in the South west zone.

According to him, “We want to show our displeasure to Governors in the SouthWest that failed to pay gratuities and pensions.

“Mentions should be made of Lagos, Ekiti and Osun States. Lagos in particular is the only State that has not addressed the issue of 142 pension increase since year 2000, six percent and 15 percent since 2003 and 2007. The issue of 33 percent pension increase since 2010. Presentation of our union in Lagos has become futile and unproductive.

“We are going to send letters to Governor Sanwo Olu to please address these issues or the whole South West pensioners will bombard Lagos in a very serious protest. The Southwest Caucus has decided that all pensioners in the Southwest will go to Lagos because an injury to one is an injury to all”