The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in Ogun State, Waidi Oloyede, has urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to introduce a health relief package under the National Health Insurance Scheme for retirees in the state.
According to The PUNCH, his appeal came during the annual Pensioners’ Day celebration, held at the NUP state secretariat in Leme, Abeokuta, on Saturday.
He advocated for a 50 percent discount for pensioners who subscribe to the scheme, emphasizing the pressing need to alleviate the health-related burdens that many retirees face due to aging and other contributing factors.
Oloyede highlighted that such a measure would significantly ease the financial strain on senior citizens, who are often battling chronic illnesses and struggling with the high cost of healthcare.
The NUP Chairman also addressed the issue of pension adjustments, drawing attention to the fact that while the mainstream workforce in the state has benefited from wage increases, including a 40 percent peculiar allowance introduced in August 2023, pensioners have not experienced any similar adjustments.
This, he noted, has exacerbated the economic hardship faced by retirees, especially in light of the removal of fuel subsidies and the subsequent rise in living costs.
“The long-awaited but seemingly elusive consequential increase in pensions has greatly agitated the minds of the senior citizens whose monthly ‘take home’ cannot take them to bank talk less of taking them back home,” Oloyede lamented. “The paltry sum is grossly inappropriate to purchase drugs for various health challenges nor meet the demands of the present-day economic realities. We would definitely be happy if Your Excellency could help with the implementation of this consequential adjustment to ease the pains of the economically battered senior citizens.”
Further stressing the health needs of retirees, Oloyede underscored that almost all senior citizens suffer from one form of ailment or another, making access to affordable healthcare critical.
“We passionately plead that the pensioners be rightly captured on the National Health Insurance Scheme and a further rebate or discount of 50% benefit should accrue to would-be subscribers as such has been allowed the mainstream personnel, the active workforce,” he said.
In addition, Oloyede called on Governor Abiodun to ensure that pensioners are included in discussions regarding the new minimum wage.
He mentioned that the presence of retirees in these negotiations would allow for more informed contributions that could enhance the economic value of their pensions, taking into account the unique financial pressures they face.
Despite these concerns, Oloyede commended the governor for his efforts in addressing the backlog of unpaid pensions.
He praised Abiodun for increasing the quarterly pension payments from N500 million to N2 billion and for a recent disbursement of N5.3 billion.
These actions, he acknowledged, have provided much-needed relief to retirees, who had long awaited such interventions.
“The favourable disposition of Governor Abiodun to the pensioners in Ogun State has been quite unparalleled,” Oloyede said, pledging that the retirees would continue to support the governor’s vision and commitment to leaving the state in a better condition than when he took office five years ago.
The Chairman’s remarks underscore the urgent need for continued attention to the welfare of pensioners in Ogun State, particularly in the areas of healthcare access and pension adjustments, as they navigate the challenges of post-retirement life amidst a changing economic landscape.
