NewStats: 3,264,177 , 8,182,872 topics. Date: Tuesday, 10 June 2025 at 03:35 AM 34206f

A group of Abia pensioners has appealed to Gov. Alex Otti to revisit and rescind the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed with their leaders and pay them their remaining retirement benefits.

The group, operating under the Abia Pensioners’ Forum, a pressure group within the state chapter of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), made the appeal on Wednesday in Umuahia.

The Coordinator of the group, Mr. Okey Kanu, made the appeal while briefing newsmen on the governor’s claim that his government had defrayed the arrears of pensions left behind by Okezie Ikpeazu’s istration.

Kanu implored the governor to pay the balance of their pension arrears and gratuity.

He said that before the MOA, many of their were cumulatively owed up to 60 months, while the last payment of gratuity was in 2002.

He commended Otti for the regular payment of their monthly pension since April and his developmental strides in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had in April said the state had paid all the pension arrears owed to at least 12,500 pensioners, dating back to 2014.

The governor had disclosed that over N9 billion was spent from the N10 billion set aside by the government to offset the accumulated pension arrears.

Meanwhile, Kanu said that the governor was free to liquidate the balance of the retirement benefits by instalments, if the government could not do so in one swoop.

He said that the state government and NUP officials had signed an MOA, in which their arrears of pension and gratuity were forfeited to the government.

He said that the minutes of the enlarged NUP meeting of January 11, referred to by the government in the MOA, showed that the issue of gratuity was not mentioned.

Kanu, a legal practitioner, insisted that what was deliberated on was the issue of pension arrears.

He said: “In effect, g the MOA containing the forfeiture of our gratuity in addition was ultra vires to NUP officers, hence not binding on our .

“To date, the MOA has remained a secret document to our .

“We gathered that the state NUP officials had written two letters to the State Government, requesting a meeting to discuss gray areas of the MOA.

“One of such gray areas, according to the NUP officials, is that the issue of gratuity was never part of their negotiation and agreement with the government.”

Kanu said that the arrears of pension and gratuity were not negotiable “because they are personal, statutory and their legitimate entitlements in the service”.

He contended that gratuity was savings from their salary, while they were in service and was supposed to be paid to them immediately on retirement.

According to him, it is unfathomable how the State Government can negotiate with vulnerable pensioners, who are deprived and famished over the years.

https://guardian.ng/news/abia-pensioners-beg-otti-to-pay-retirement-benefits/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&Echobox=1726123741&utm_source=Facebook

Biafran scam, labour party scam

Ignore the attention seeker above

Meanwhile Otti should do the needful, we need to treat our senior citizens better.

Some of them are suffering from terminal disease and don't deserve this after serving our darling nation

Alex Otti of Labour Party again?

Senior citizens should never be owed their entitlements. They worked their entire lives for these benefits.

They don't deserve to be treated like trash.

What a shame!

A group of Abia pensioners has appealed to Gov. Alex Otti to revisit and rescind the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed with their leaders and pay them their remaining retirement benefits.

He said that before the MOA, many of their were cumulatively owed up to 60 months, while the last payment of gratuity was in 2002.

He commended Otti for the regular payment of their monthly pension since April and his developmental strides in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had in April said the state had paid all the pension arrears owed to at least 12,500 pensioners, dating back to 2014.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had in April said the state had paid all the pension arrears owed to at least 12,500 pensioners, dating back to 2014.

The governor had disclosed that over N9 billion was spent from the N10 billion set aside by the government to offset the accumulated pension arrears.

Sensational headline, they signed an MOU with Otti to pay all owed pensions since 2014, Otti paid it, now they are asking Otti to pay further till 2002 which was not in the agreement they signed with him, they should have further meetings with Otti on that...

Problem never finish in the mouth and body of people
Even around the world where we look up to, there are protests and demonstrations

Biodun556:



Biafran scam, labour party scam

Tinibu scam, APC scam.

Tinibu and APC don finish Nigeria kpatakpata.
Tinibu disciple trying to divert angry Nigerians attention to abia state

Some block heads will come out now and try to deny this

Obi and his Rodents online miscreants, see una bloda

Now they all have voices because the governor is a listener.
Where were they during the Uzos and Ikpeazu? What I don't understand is why the governor does not want to write to EFCC against Ikpeazu, let him return all his loots.

What exactly is Otti doing at Abia

He pays 18k minimum wage in 2024, havent commissioned any project he started, yet struggle to do this

The kinda Leaders they have over there is

Tjra:
Alex Otti of Labour Party again?

Senior citizens should never be owed their entitlements. They worked their entire lives for these benefits.

What a shame!

Did you actually read the write up or you just want to type nonsense... Because if you actually did, you will understand that the people to blame are those who stopped paying gratuity since 2002, and were owing pensioners.

To the main topic, I commend the governor for releasing cash to pay the arrears of pensions left behind by Okezie Ikpeazu’s istration, but he should do more by paying the gratuity owed by the past governments in the state, I know it won't be easy .

Vyzz:



Ignore the attention seeker above

Meanwhile Otti should do the needed, we need to treat our senior citizens better.

Some of them are suffering from terminal disease and don't deserve this after serving our darling nation

if labour party is a scam which one no be scam now? Come to benue and see you will know know that even reverend father in APC is also a scam.

Tjra:
Alex Otti of Labour Party again?

Senior citizens should never be owed their entitlements. They worked their entire lives for these benefits.

They don't deserve to be treated like trash.

What a shame!

benue is owed 68months

Notasyouthink:
Tinibu scam, APC scam.

Tinibu and APC don finish Nigeria kpatakpata.
Tinibu disciple trying to divert angry Nigerians attention to abia state

if they mention abia mention benue we have an APC reverend father who is owing 68 month pension arrears and gratuity from 1999. APC is the largest Scam.

The Coordinator of the group, Mr. Okey Kanu, made the appeal while briefing newsmen on the governor’s claim that his government had defrayed the arrears of pensions left behind by Okezie Ikpeazu’s istration.

Kanu implored the governor to pay the balance of their pension arrears and gratuity.

He said that before the MOA, many of their were cumulatively owed up to 60 months, while the last payment of gratuity was in 2002.

He commended Otti for the regular payment of their monthly pension since April and his developmental strides in the state.

Please before the people that notoriously vote in failures every 4 years hijack this thread, read this excerpt from the text.

It is clear to all sane persons that their complaint is for Otti to clear up the backlog of arrears from the Ikpeazu/PDP era. Governor Otti even gave a press release and dared anyone that he is owing during his tenure to open up on it.

What we have here is a case of people trying to overburden progress. They said it themeselves that Otti's payment was the first they've seen in 60 months and first gratuity since 2002 yet they kept voting in useless people. Now, they expect Otti to use his small gains in one year of governance to clear up their 10 years of voting in the wrong people. Sometimes we get what we deserve.

ojinuocheibi:
if they mention abia mention benue we have an APC reverend father who is owing 68 month pension arrears and gratuity from 1999. APC is the largest Scam.

Biodun556, is this true?
If this is true why didn't you talk about it?
APC apologists are a group of hypocrites and liars I've ever seen in my life.

Abia no be Lagos

Otti dey sprinkle pension on top their mama head

Notasyouthink:
Biodun556, is this true?
If this is true why didn't you talk about it?
APC apologists are a good of hypocrites and liars I've ever seen in my life.

will you push it to front page?

Most people commenting didn't read the post.

The problem is of course not from Otti. The money used to pay these backlog gratuities would have been enough to pay the minimum wage. How can he be paying several years of backlogs from the present day allocation that's meant for something else?

lecturer22:
Most people commenting didn't read the post.

The problem is of course not from Otti. The money used to pay these backlog gratuities would have been enough to pay the minimum wage. How can he be paying several years of backlogs from the present day allocation that's meant for something else?

But you can open your mouths to insult Aregbesola.
Now that an Igbo man is doing it, you are rationalising nonsense.

You people are shameless bigots and hypocrites.

See the party that claimed to be different.
Can't even pay 30k, tankless of 70k.

I refuse to be a obidafts.

Obidafts use your head

[quote author=Notasyouthink post=131966369]Biodun556, is this true?
If this is true why didn't you talk about it?
APC apologists are a group of hypocrites and liars I've ever seen in my life.[/quoteGov Alia inherited over N163.7billion backlog of pensions, gratuity — Benue AG
Gov Alia
Gov. Alia

…appeals for end to litigations, garnishee orders

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim Monday disclosed that the present istration inherited over N163.7 billion backlog of pensions and gratuity from successive governments.

He assured that the government was aware of the enormity of the task of meeting its commitment to pensioners and appealed to those who dragged the government to court over unpaid pensions to withdraw such cases and give the government the benefit of tackling the challenge.

The Commissioner who appealed during a stakeholders meeting held with pensioners in Makurdi to find a solution to some of the challenges pointed out that since the coming of the present istration, the government had consistently paid retirees and pensioners their gratuity and pensions without fail.

He however lamented that some pensioners had resorted to seeking court orders to garnish the bank s of the state government which would frustrate the government’s efforts to ensure that pensioners got their due a the end of every month.

He said: “This meeting is at the instance of the Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia to see how the government can alleviate the plight of pensioners in the state.

“Since the governor assumed office, our senior citizens have been receiving their allowances every month, those who retired since the coming of this government have all been paid their gratuities.

“All the calls to withdraw cases from court do not amount to a threat but an appeal to all of us to allow the governor to concentrate on regular payment of pension allowances and gratuities.

“As at the time the governor assumed office, the state pensioners were being owed 42 months arrears while local government pensioners were owed 96 months arrears all amounted to N163.7billion.”

The Chairman of the Benue State Pensions Board, Mr. Terna Ahua pointed out that since the government had prioritized pension and gratuity payment it was only proper for any pensioner in court to withdraw the suit given the commitment shown by the present istration to the wellbeing of pensioners.


The Chairman of Forum of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Hyacinth Ikyaagba who commended the government for the meeting said it would avail pensioners the opportunity to speak on any issue concerning their welfare.

Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Dennis Akura assured that the government had put all measures in place to ensure that local government pensioners got paid on the 25 of every month.

Commending the government for consistently paying pensioners at the end of very month, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Mr. Michael Vember appealed to the government to consider extending palliatives to pensioners.

He said, “Since the removal of petrol subsidy life has been difficult for pensioners so we urge the government to extend palliative to pensioners. My parent are pensioners so know what I am saying.

lecturer22:
Most people commenting didn't read the post.

The problem is of course not from Otti. The money used to pay these backlog gratuities would have been enough to pay the minimum wage. How can he be paying several years of backlogs from the present day allocation that's meant for something else?

Mr Man, government is continuous.
If GEJ borrowed money, Buhari must pay.
The money Buhari borrowed, Tinubu must pay

It is true he inherited it but that was the reason the voted him in to clear pdp and apc mess because the believe he is a god fearing man but only ending up lieing .just like the rest
At least OTTI ALEX paid 18 month in a block but this guy can't. Focus on apc failure

Gov Alia inherited over N163.7billion backlog of pensions, gratuity — Benue AG
Gov Alia
Gov. Alia

…appeals for end to litigations, garnishee orders

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim Monday disclosed that the present istration inherited over N163.7 billion backlog of pensions and gratuity from successive governments.

He assured that the government was aware of the enormity of the task of meeting its commitment to pensioners and appealed to those who dragged the government to court over unpaid pensions to withdraw such cases and give the government the benefit of tackling the challenge.

The Commissioner who appealed during a stakeholders meeting held with pensioners in Makurdi to find a solution to some of the challenges pointed out that since the coming of the present istration, the government had consistently paid retirees and pensioners their gratuity and pensions without fail.

He however lamented that some pensioners had resorted to seeking court orders to garnish the bank s of the state government which would frustrate the government’s efforts to ensure that pensioners got their due a the end of every month.

He said: “This meeting is at the instance of the Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia to see how the government can alleviate the plight of pensioners in the state.

“Since the governor assumed office, our senior citizens have been receiving their allowances every month, those who retired since the coming of this government have all been paid their gratuities.

“All the calls to withdraw cases from court do not amount to a threat but an appeal to all of us to allow the governor to concentrate on regular payment of pension allowances and gratuities.

“As at the time the governor assumed office, the state pensioners were being owed 42 months arrears while local government pensioners were owed 96 months arrears all amounted to N163.7billion.”

The Chairman of the Benue State Pensions Board, Mr. Terna Ahua pointed out that since the government had prioritized pension and gratuity payment it was only proper for any pensioner in court to withdraw the suit given the commitment shown by the present istration to the wellbeing of pensioners.


The Chairman of Forum of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Hyacinth Ikyaagba who commended the government for the meeting said it would avail pensioners the opportunity to speak on any issue concerning their welfare.

Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Dennis Akura assured that the government had put all measures in place to ensure that local government pensioners got paid on the 25 of every month.

Commending the government for consistently paying pensioners at the end of very month, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Mr. Michael Vember appealed to the government to consider extending palliatives to pensioners.

He said, “Since the removal of petrol subsidy life has been difficult for pensioners so we urge the government to extend palliative to pensioners. My parent are pensioners so know what I am saying.

ojinuocheibi:
if they mention abia mention benue we have an APC reverend father who is owing 68 month pension arrears and gratuity from 1999. APC is the largest Scam.

So Abia is now competing with benue state in bad governance.

Nice one

Ijaya123:


So Abia is now competing with benue state in bad governance.

Nice one

Abia has been next to benue in bad governance

For those DOTians defending Alex Otti, do you have conscience at all? In all honesty will you also defend another governor of APC from another state for the same reason? Is that why Abia should continue to pay 18k as minimum wage when many of you guys are the one asking that FG should be paying 250k for the workers? You guys think God can be mocked? You complain against others but defend yours for the same offence. That is why God will be laughing at you that no matter how hard you try, you will not get what you want in presidency

Brendaniel:







Sensational headline, they signed an MOU with the Otti to pay all owed pensions since 2014, Otti paid it, now they are asking Otti to pay further till 2002 which was not in the agreement they signed with him, they should have further meetings with Otti on that...

Ndi new Abia ,goan siddan.
Otti focused ONLY on the arrears owed by Okezie just to villify Ikpeazu whereas OUK and TA Orji owed Abia workers too

While previous governor was collecting 4 billion naira monthly allocation,Alex Otti is collecting 6 billion monthly allocation,that is about 24 billion difference annually. Why can't he used that to settle the backlog.