Governor Bago Donates 18-Seater Bus to the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Niger State Council.
By Yahaya Zakka, Minna.
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Niger State Council, has expressed its profound gratitude to Governor Muhammadu Umar Bago for his administration’s steadfast support for pensioners in the state.
During a recent Thank – You visit to the Governor Umaru Bago at the Government House Minna,Comrade Abdullahi Baba Sani,the State Secretary of NUP, led a delegation of pensioners to Commend the governor,for his efforts in addressing the 7.5% entitlement and for allocating funds to settle outstanding gratuities owed to retirees.
In the meeting, Comrade Abdullahi Baba Sani highlighted the challenges been faced by local government retirees, whose gratuity payments have remained stagnant, and urged the governor to resume the payment of gratuities and also implement wage awards and harmonization for pensioners.
Additionally, the union requested an executive order to classify pension payments as a first-line charge, along with the provision of a vehicle to facilitate their activities.
The NUP commended Governor Bago for his pensioners – friendly policies and congratulated him on his forthcoming NUP national award.
The union has previously referred to Governor Bago as “a blessing to this generation” and recognized him as the “Pensioners’ Most Friendly Governor,” underscoring his unwavering commitment to the welfare of Senior citizens in the State.
It was noted that the Nigeria Union of Pensioners headquarters has officially announced that Governor Muhammad Umar Bago will receive this award at the NUP’s 12th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference, set to take place on April 15, 2025, in Kano, presided over by the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Comrade Baba Sani also emphasized the financial hardships experienced by pensioners, particularly in light of rising costs for transportation, food, healthcare, and housing.
The NUP urged the governor to prioritize the welfare of Niger State’s pensioners by implementing the new minimum wage and providing necessary support.
In response to these challenges, Governor Bago has directed the Director-General of the Pension Board to initiate continuity of gratuity payments while the NUP appreciated this prompt action.
The NUP also reiterated the importance of resuming payments to local government pensioners, noting the sorrowful reality that many local government retirees have passed away without receiving their benefits, while others struggle to access medical care and support for their families.
In conclusion, the NUP expressed sincere gratitude to Governor Bago for his continued support and appealed for the ongoing prioritization of the welfare of Niger pensioners in the State.
In his remarks, Governor Muhammad Umar Bago acknowledged the visit by the NUP executives and proposed that discussions regarding pension issues be held quarterly.
He commended the automation of payment of Pension/ Gratuities and activities of The Niger State Pensions Board which has eased management of Pension and Gratuity issues in the State.
The Farmer Governor Umaru Bago committed to reviewing their requests and generously presented the union with an eighteen-seater bus, along with a trailer load each of rice and maize for equitable distribution among pensioners in the state.
Moreover, he encouraged retirees in the state to embrace and key into the government’s New Niger agricultural policy, emphasizing his administration’s focus on agriculture and suggested that retirees explore farming and animal husbandry as viable options.
Dignitaries present during the Thank-You visit included NUP executives, Chairman of the NLC Comrade Abdul Kareem Idrees Lafene, Chairman of the TUC Comrade Gana Ibrahim, Alh. Shaka Adaba, and Executives of the Pensioners Joint Action Committee. ( JAC).
