By Chinedum Treasure
The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), South-East Zone, has praised Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for clearing N22 billion in gratuities owed to retirees between 2017 and 2020.
Speaking during the union’s zonal meeting in Awka, South-East Chairman of the union, Anthony Ugozor, said pensioners under the Soludo administration now receive gratuities and monthly pensions promptly.
He urged other South-East governors to emulate the governor by prioritising pensioners’ welfare and implementing the proposed N32,000 minimum pension without delay.
Ugozor also called for pension harmonisation, noting disparities where retirees on the same grade level receive different pensions based on retirement year.
He further appealed to the Anambra government to release N490.18 million owed to primary school pensioners from the 2002 and 2003 batches.
Responding, Head of Service, Ngozi Iwuno, assured retirees of the administration’s continued commitment to their welfare.
State NLC Chairman, Humphrey Nwafor, disclosed that discussions were ongoing on implementing the proposed pension structure, adding that pensioners had received a monthly N10,000 non-taxable stipend since October 2024.
National President of the union, Godwin Abumisi, encouraged pensioners to remain hopeful despite economic challenges, stressing that pension harmonisation remained key to improved welfare.
Tags: Anambra, Chukwuma Soludo, Pensioners, Gratuity, NUP, South-East, Retirement Benefits, NLC, Awka, Pension
