From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association (FEPPPAN) has urged President Bola Tinubu to include them in the N35,000 provisional wage increment approved for workers as part of the measures to cushion the effect of the economic hardship being experienced as a result of the fuel subsidy removal.
FEPPPAN begged President Tinubu to always have pensioners in mind while mapping out policies, and not to deprive the senior citizens their entitlements, including palliatives.
In a message to commemorate the 2023 Pensioners’ Day, FEPPPAN’s acting President General and General Secretary, Babaji Magaji, and Franklin Erinle, further said Nigeria senior citizens deserved respect, care and empathy for all their efforts and contributions to nation building.
They insisted their welfare should be prioritised by the government.
The pensioners’ union, in the statement, also facilitated with their members, wishing them healing, good health and long life.
“We commend the presidents and the entire leadership of organised labour for reaching the agreements that averted the loomed industrial action. We, the pensioners, are pleased that the President Tinubu-led Federal Government reasoned and considered the plights of Nigerian workers and citizens at large in this era of harsh economic situation caused by the unavoidable removal of fuel subsidy.
“We urge that the agreements reached be implemented immediately to mitigate the suffering of Nigerians.
“Finally, we crave the indulgence of President Tinubu to ensure all the senior citizens being paid by the Federal Government are captured under item Number one of the agreements reached with the organised labour for the payment of N35,000 monthly for six months with effect from September 2023.
“We call on the Tinubu-led Federal Government to remember the pensioners/senior citizens of this great country who were the hands, power and wisdom that lifted our dear country high and set it on the path of progress, growth and development.
“We plead with him, he being a senior citizen too, not to sit and watch the efforts of these heroes and heroines (senior citizens) be in vain. He should not forsake or forget us in all his governance dispositions. We urge him not to, in any way, at any time, deny the senior citizens their entitlements, rights, including palliatives, for any reason,’ FEPPPAN said in the statement.