The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), South West Zone, has strongly criticized the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) for imposing what they consider as unnecessary requirements on pensioners regarding the wage award process.
During a press conference held in Ibadan, Oyo state Capital, Comrade Olusegun Abatan, the Public Relations Officer of NUP, South-West zone, expressed discontent with NASSCO’s demand for pensioners to provide their biometric verification number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN). Abatan advocated for a simpler approach, suggesting that NASSCO should collaborate with the states’ payroll systems instead.
The union representatives took exception to these directives, with Mazi Godwin Abumisi, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, condemning the disparity between directives given to workers and pensioners. Abumisi threatened potential protests if President Bola Tinubu didn’t intervene to rectify the situation.
Acknowledging some southwest governments for addressing the plight of pensioners during economic hardships, Comrade Abatan urged other state governments to emulate the supportive measures taken by states like Oyo, Ondo, Lagos, and Ekiti.
In a separate stance, the NUP, South West Zone, expressed approval of the reappointment of Dr. Chioma Ejikeme as the Executive Secretary of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD). They distanced themselves from a faction of protesting Pensioners against this reappointment.
Dignitaries present at the event included Chairman Comrade Waheed Oloyede, General Secretary Elder Actor Zal, Treasurer Comrade Lawrence Aina from NUP, South West Zone, and Chief Isiaka Abolade from the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Oyo state council.
