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Retirees’ Entitlements: Matters Arising

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The issue of non-payment of pension and gratuity to government retirees years after retirement from active service has over the years been a subject of public discourse in the nation’s polity.

Perhaps moved by this touchy national issue, the former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Richard Akinjide recently took a swipe at government at various levels over the mind-boggling issue. His words: “It is breach of contract for any government to deny its retirees the payment of pension and gratuity.”

He observed that since the nation’s economy is not static, it was necessary that pension and salary be seen as index link in view of the prevailing purchasing power, and called on government to fulfil its obligation to their workers by ensuring the early payment of pension and gratuity.

Not done with the issue, he intoned: “When a salary earner is retired and not paid his benefits, it means that he has been shortchanged,” and insisted that the benefit of the civil service is the security and the certainty it afford workers who expect that at the time of retirement, they are paid their benefits.

Sadly, an average retired Nigerian worker had over the years been literally wailing over the non-payment of his pension and gratuity. There were confirmed reports that some retired workers even died before their entitlements could be paid.

Apparently worried by public outcry, the last administration established the National Pension Commission (PENCO), with an Act by the erstwhile National Assembly, in order to give legal teeth to the commission. This was greeted with applause by the general public, especially the retirees.

Indeed, the contributions of Nigerian workers and employers to the contributory pension scheme now stand at N847 billion, according to report from the pension commission.

But it is rather unfortunate to hear that some states in the country are yet to implement the laudable scheme in spite of the awareness campaigns mounted by the federal authorities, thus hanging the fate of their retired staff in the balance. This is sad, to say the least!

Worse still, a section of the private sector had also reportedly refused to implement the National Pension Scheme, for some inexplicable reasons, an attitude that is giving concern to the authorities of the commission, in view of the anticipated plights of the retired staff of such firms.

It is therefore imperative to ask the Federal Government to wade into the issue and prevail on such defaulting state governments and firms to implement the pension scheme, in order to lay a good foundation for their retired staff.

Agreed, there had been fears over the ‘safety’ of the funds so far contributed to the scheme. But the provisions of the Pension Act, squarely allay such fears, especially the various levels of risks involved in the management of the contributed funds.

Again, the federal authorities should rise to the occasion and direct some of the contributors (state governments) to remit promptly, their contributions to the contributory pension scheme. That way, the future of the retired staff would be assured.

That said, one sure way to implement the National Pension Scheme is for the National Assembly to step into the matter. This, it could do, by directing the committee concerned to work with the management of the National Pension Commission.

That way, the committee would be able to identify the defaulting state governments, as well as a section of the private sector, and thereafter roll out the sanctions against such recalcitrant states and firms.

The future of the Nigerian retired worker must be protected and assured, no matter whose ox is gored. Yes, time has come when a retired worker should smile home rather than cry home. The contributions by employers of labour to the pension scheme, appears to be the only sure way.

But when shall we stop to weep for the country’s retirees for not getting their entitlements years after retirement from active service? Their plights must end one day!

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Retirement: Ignore PSC’s Directive, Remain In Office, IGP Tells Officers 

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The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has instructed all police officers affected by the recent directive from the Police Service Commission (PSC) to disregard the order.

The PSC had directed officers who have served 35 years or reached 60 years of age to retire immediately.

A wireless message from the office of the Force Secretary, dated February 11, 2025, stated that the IGP “strongly directs all officers affected by the PSC’s directive to stay action, pending further instruction.” Officers were told to comply strictly with this order.

Last week, PSC spokesman Ikechukwu Ani, explained that the commission’s order followed a review of its previous stance from the 24th plenary meeting in September 2017, allowing force entrants to use their enlistment date rather than their initial appointment date.

The commission cited inconsistencies with Public Service Rule No. 020908, which mandates retirement after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age.

However, the PSC clarified that it does not have the constitutional authority to determine the appointment or retirement of IGP Egbetokun.

 

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Be Consoled, God Who Gives, Also Takes, Fubara Tells Principal Secretary 

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has extolled the sterling motherly virtues of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta, and urged the children not to deviate from those valuable lessons she had taught them.

 

Late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta (79 years) is the mother of Dr Ayebaesin Jacob Beredugo, the Principal Secretary to Governor Fubara.

 

The Rivers State Governor, who described Dr Beredugo as a brother,  trusted ally and key stakeholder of his administration, urged him to be consoled in God and bear the loss with fortitude.

 

Governor Fubara gave the advise at the funeral service in honour of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta at the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Anglican Communion in Nembe City, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State yesterday.

 

The Rivers State Governor said: “We are here as a government to show that in this difficult time, we stand with him. We know that there is no consolation here that can fill the gap of this loss, more especially the loss of a mother.

 

“But, we want to draw his mind to the good Book: that it is the Lord that giveth, and it is also the Lord that taketh. And he takes for a reason.

 

“We live in a corrupt world, and when you are a saint in the world, when it pleases the Almighty and He believes that He doesn’t want you to be corrupted, He takes away the soul to a better place where death is no more, where you don’t have to look for food again, where you have peace.”

 

Governor Fubara expressed strong belief that given the way Mama had lived and the good virtues that had been read out and said about her, there is no doubt that she will be in a good side in heaven.

 

The Governor decried the current condition of the cathedral where the funeral service held and committed the support of the Rivers State Government to ensure the completion of the building in memory of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta

 

“We have been made to understand that the Cathedral needs strong support. We are willing to support the completion of the Cathedral. We will support the building in memory of Mama with the sum of N50million”

 

Delivering the sermon on the topic; “Hope in the face of death”, Bishop of the Diocese of Western Izon, Rt. Rev. Victor Okporu, said those who are confidently expecting positive future must also believe in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, and be prepared to spend eternity with Him.

 

Reading the biography of the late Madam Ayebadieye Edward-Igbeta, brother of the decreased, Mr Godwin Ekine, said his late sister was an embodiment of love, care, peaceful and kind-hearted, and touched lives through her generosity and compassion.

 

Friends and well-wishers from Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta states, some of whom shared fun memories of the late matriarch, were later hosted to a funeral reception at King Koko’s Square in Nembe Town.

 

Also at the burial were the State Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu; Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo; member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Boniface Emerengwa; and Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie.

 

Others are Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN, Dr Tamunosis Gogo-Jaja; Chief Hanny Woko; Amaopusenibo Fubara Hart; Chief Theodore Georgewill; members of the State Executive Council; Special Advisers; top politicians, leaders and stakeholders in the State; among others.

 

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Old Boys Plan Rehabilitation Of GSS, Okehi

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The Chairman of the Old Boys Association of Government Secondary School (GSS), Okehi Etche, Rivers State, Prof. Sir, Umunna Offor, has stated that the association would soon visit their alma-mater and rehabilitate decayed infrastructure and facilities in the compound.
The chairman made this assertion while speaking with some newsmen after an extensive meeting of the Old Boys in Port Harcourt, recently.
Sir Offor stated that since they left the secondary school, some years ago, most of the facilities and infrastructure built by then Rivers State Government had decayed and worn out.
“ However, being responsible ambassadors and Old Boys of the college, we would not fold our arms and expect government to rebuild everything in the school compound, hence, we have decided to come together and graciously assist our alma mater’, he said.
“The meeting was basically for like-minds to gather to find a way to help the school, it is a thing of joy to see and receive old school friends and comrades who have gone far in life and have excelled in their respective chosen fields”.
Speaking in the same vein, Engr, Lasbrey Amadi; (FNSE), who is also an old boy and former member of the House of Representatives, said the association would be working in synergy with the administrators of the school to ensure that in no distant time; there would be a massive face-lift in the physical infrastructure in the school compound.
Veering into politics in Nigeria of today, Engr, Amadi, said that god-fatherism in politics had seriously killed the gains and beauty of democracy in Nigeria and quickly urged politicians to always play-down the issue of god-fatherism in politics and ensure good governance in the country.
In his comment, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Association, Mr Goodluck Nwaobilor, said the door of the association is still wide open for new members who finished from the school to join and work towards taking the association to higher level.

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