Pensioners in Ekiti knelt in supplication to God on Tuesday over the state government’s failure to pay their gratuities.
The pensioners gathered at the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) Oke-Bareke secretariat in Ado-Ekiti for an interdenominational prayer service.
Some of the pensioners were moved to tears and prayed that God would touch the heart of the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to pay their gratuities and pensions in arrears.
The retirees also prayed for Nigeria’s economic prosperity and peace, particularly during the upcoming elections.
Following the prayers, Mr Joel Akinola, Chairman of the NUP Ekiti State Chapter, highlighted that many pensioners in Ekiti have died without receiving their benefits, while others are facing various illnesses due to a lack of finances to treat them.
According to him, the Ekiti government owes N2 billion in gratuities as well as millions of naira in unpaid pensions.
Ajibola said the pensioners hope that the governor would pay a substantial amount of the debt before leaving office.
“Each time there is transition of power, it’s often difficult to agitate or confront the new governor because they will be quick to tell you that they are not the one owing us.
“We have laboured and served our nation and state meritoriously for 35 years, we deserve better than what we have been getting,” he lamented.
The NUP state chairman appealed to the state government to endeavour to pay them to enable the few ones who are still alive make use of the money to take good care of themselves.
Earlier, in an exhortation, the Chief Imam of Ansarudeen Central Mosque, Ado Ekiti, Imam Abdullahi AbdulMutallib, urged the pensioners to build more faith in Allah, saying he will touch the hearts of those in government to attend to their needs.
Also, Pastor Isaac Ojo urged the pensioners not to be discouraged by their present situation, saying that God is able to intervene
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
