Varsity pensions: An appeal to President Buhari

ON behalf of the Nigeria Universities Pensioners Association, University of Ibadan, I salute President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination, commitment and courage in administering Nigeria.

The country was which was virtually mired in  impunity.

At our monthly congress of senior citizens held on 20th November, 2017, we deliberated extensively on the outstanding 42 months of 33  per cent salary arrears and 20.7 per cent balance of arrears increase of 53.7 per cent of January 7, 2009 owed university pensioners, which was captioned and approved in the 2016 budget.

Up till now, the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has failed to pay us and one wonders what happened to the university pensioners fund in the 2016 budget.

Sometime in July 2016, PTAD paid us 12 out of 64 months’ arrears of 33 per cent, leaving a balance of 42 months outstanding and 20.7 per cent balance increase of arrears of 53.7 per cent.

PTAD, as the custodian of our pensions, must note that the university pensioners laboured hard and must not be allowed to experience bitterness.

The Nigerian nation was paramount in our hearts during our youthful days in service.

Some pensioners of the University of Ibadan have attained age 90 and they need care.

We wish to put it on record, Mr. President, that many senior citizens are ill and have no money to buy drugs. They are living an unbearable life.

Some have been placed on special diets that are very expensive. That means the hoary years are expensive ones.

The oldies need more money for their upkeep than they actually needed in their growing up years.

The Union (NUPA) has been appealing to our members to remain calm in spite of the hardship meted to us on the arrears. As senior citizens, we cannot allow them to go to the streets to protest the non-payment of the outstanding arrears.

Mr. President, kindly come to our aid by appealing to PTAD to release the backlog of 42 months of arrears of 33 per cent, and the balance of 20.7 per cent of the 53.7 per cent of 1st July, 2009.

Nigeria pensioners are grateful to Mr. President for his endeavours. May Almighty Allah help us all.

Adebiyi, S : 07065632088