News
Benue Pensioners Behold Church Service at Entrance of Government House
Protesting pensioners in Benue State on Sunday, September 8, held a church service at the gate of the Government House, Makurdi, over unpaid 20 months pension arrears and gratuities worth about N25 billion.
The pensioners had since September 4 been sleeping under rain and sunshine at the gate to drive home their demand.
Read More: FRSC Tasks Motorists On Attitudinal Change, Warns Under-Age Drivers
Read More: FRSC Tasks Motorists On Attitudinal Change, Warns Under-Age Drivers
Reading from the Holy Bible, 1st Kings, Chapter 12, Verses 3 to 10, while preaching a sermon, one of the pensioners, Pastor John Awaodi, urged the pensioners not to give up hope.
He said that God was with them since they were demanding their legitimate income.
Addressing the pensioners at the service, their leader, Mr Peter Ikyado, said that they were not tired and would continue to sleep at the gate until paid.
He earlier told newsmen that over 500 pensioners in the state had died due to lack of food and proper medication.
“We are senior citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Our motto says, “Enjoyment After Retirement” but in this case, it is suffering after retirement,” he said.
Governor Samuel Ortom had while addressing them on Friday said that his administration would have to seek for an overdraft of N611 million to be able to complete the shortfalls from the April 2018 and May 2018 unpaid pension arrears.
The pensioners have, however, refused to move away from the government house in spite of the governor’s promises.
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
