Members of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners in the South-East have praised Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for clearing outstanding gratuities owed to retirees in the state.
The union disclosed that the governor settled four years of unpaid gratuities inherited from previous administrations, covering retirees from 2017 to 2020, with the total amount reportedly reaching N22 billion.
Speaking during the union’s zonal meeting in Awka, the South-East Chairman of the union, Anthony Ugozor, commended Soludo for prioritising pensioners’ welfare and ensuring retirees receive their entitlements without unnecessary delays.
“We commend the Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for clearing four years of outstanding gratuities owed retirees in the state. The gratuities, covering 2017 to 2020, amounted to N22 billion inherited from the previous administrations in Anambra,” he said.
Ugozor noted that pensioners under the current administration now receive their gratuities promptly, while monthly pensions are also paid consistently.
He urged governors across the South-East and other parts of the country to emulate Soludo by improving the welfare of retirees and ensuring timely payment of pensions and gratuities.
The union also called on state governments to immediately implement the proposed N32,000 minimum pension following the Federal Government’s approval.
According to Ugozor, pensioners who retired on the same grade level should receive equal pensions regardless of the year they retired.
“A retiree in 2020 may earn N15,000, while another retired in 2025 receives N25,000 on the same grade level. In light of the approved federal minimum pension of N32,000, we urge governors to effect the adjustment immediately after the official announcement,” he added.
He also reminded the Anambra State Government about the unpaid N490.18 million meant for primary school pensioners from the 2002 and 2003 periods, stating that some beneficiaries had died while waiting for payment.
Speaking at the meeting, the Head of Service in Anambra State, Ngozi Iwuno, assured pensioners that Soludo’s administration remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
She praised retirees for their years of service and contributions to national development.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Anambra, Humphrey Nwafor, also called for unity among pensioners and disclosed that the NLC had already engaged relevant authorities regarding the proposed N32,000 minimum pension nationwide.
Nwafor added that the Soludo administration has been paying pensioners a non-taxable monthly stipend of N10,000 since October 2024.
The National President of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Godwin Abumisi, encouraged retirees not to lose hope despite current economic challenges, stressing that pension harmonisation remains important for improving retirees’ welfare across the country.
