By Williams Anuku, Abuja
Abel Afolayan, President of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, says governments at federal and state levels never gave Nigerian pensioners any palliatives to cushion the effects of the virus all through the lockdown occasioned by COVID-19.
Afolayan said though none of the union members fell to death from the pandemic, government’s insensitivity to the plight of senior citizens led many to their untimely graves.
He decried the situation faced by senior citizens in the country when he spoke at the National Executive Council meeting of the union held in Abuja on Wednesday.
He lamented that almost all the 36 states of the federation were not forthcoming in terms of payment of pensions, adding that some states who manage to listen, pay less than 15percent as pension allowances in spite of the prevailing economic realities.
While speaking on the theme of the event: “The Welfare of Pensioners in Post Covid-19 Era”, he said, “May I clearly state this today, that it is not coronavirus or any other virus that is killing pensioners, elderly people and senior citizens generally, it is the government actions and inactions that are sending them to their untimely early graves.
” Many pensioners are treating one ailment or the other and they need funds to be able to buy their drugs when the government is not alive to its responsibilities, then you can imagine our challenges, all through the Covid-19 lockdown nobody gave us palliatives, it is the leadership of NUP that got some money from its lean resources to buy some things for our staff at the headquarters and state offices so they can have a sense of belonging.
“After Covid-19 period, our loud and unanimous call to the Federal and State governments is to ensure that pensioners’ welfare is made number one in whatever they do at all times. Through visits, press releases and other legitimate means, we shall continue to put pressure on them and cry to high heavens that they should humanly address pensioners’ problems and stop killing them instrumentally.
“We pensioners’ are among our heroes past, we have served this nation meritoriously, our labours should, therefore, of necessity not be in vain. I am sure you will continue to give the leadership of NUP at all levels the necessary cooperation and support needed to serve you better in this respect.”