Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the challenges facing pensioners in the State.
The Governor assured that he would revisit the pension matters in consultation with the leadership of the Union of Pensioners to address outstanding issues and find a lasting resolution.
Governor Otti gave the assurance, on Saturday, during an Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service held at the Federal Medical Center, FMC Chapel in honour of Senator Chris Adighije @80.
The Governor who was reacting to a plea by the Chaplain of the FMC Chapel to revisit the issue regarding payment of pensions, blamed the leadership of pensioners for their role in the crisis.
Otti who has been at the forefront of efforts to clear pension arrears in the State recounted how no pensions were paid by the past administration in 2018.
He accused the leadership of the Pensioners in the State of complicity in the non-payment of pensions during previous administration.
“Thank you for calling our attention to the issue of pension that had become problematic and I want to thank you for being honest and that’s what it is.
“I have maintained that our senior citizens and pensioners are very honest people, very very honest. The problem is with their leadership and the problem of the leadership has to do with association.
“When you said nobody was paid pension in 2018, you are very correct. Not one dime was paid, but the leadership was part of the reason why nobody was paid.
“Even when they were going into an agreement with me, they probably didn’t believe that payment will be made. And when I made the payment, they now went round to say they didn’t sign so that angered me but because you have said it, I will have a second look at it”, Gov Otti assured.
He expressed disappointment that some individuals who benefited from his administration’s intervention later denied their involvement in the agreement.
“You can’t agree something and then you come to say you didn’t agree. You can’t sign and say you signed under duress”, he noted.
The Governor emphasized the need for pensioners to be wary of those they associate with and reminded them that past leaders who failed to pay pensions should not be the ones speaking on their behalf.
“Somebody owed you for over ten years and didn’t pay you, then someone else comes, brings ₦10 billion, and pays you. And tomorrow, the person who owed you speaks for you. You can see that something is wrong. So please tell them to mind who their friends are”, he said.
Governor Otti also used the occasion to express gratitude to the clergy for the insightful homily drawn from the old testatement, “1 Corinthians 4:7: ‘There is nothing that you have that you did not receive”.
The Governor who reflected on his long-standing relationship with Sen Chris Adighije described the Celebrant as a man of integrity and selflessness.
He recalled how despite being in different political parties, the elder statesman publicly supported his governorship bid and prayed for continued good health and long life for the celebrant.
“This is a brilliant man but must importantly, people have talked about his goodness. For me, he is more than a good man. He is a man that will put his life on the line for you if he believes in your cause.
“That was why when I came out to contest, in 2014, it didn’t matter to him that we are not in the same party but he supported me publicly”, Governor Otti said.
Earlier in a homily, the Chaplain, FMC Chapel, the Very Rev’d Ernest Onyeukwu, who spoke on the Topic; “What Are You Known For?”, drawing his text from Hebrews 11:1-2, admonished Christians to strive to do good at all times bearing in mind that all they have was given by the Almighty God.
Rev’d Onyeukwu who cited some individuals in the Bible who are remembered for their evil deeds, described Sen Chris Adighije as a good man , whose contributions to the society has affected the lives of many positively and prayed God to keep him to see more birthdays.
He thanked Governor Otti for the good works he is doing in Abia, noting that the Governor would be remembered for his numerous developmental strides which cuts across all sectors of the states economy, including the timely payment of workers salaries and pensions.
Rev’d Onyeukwu appealed to Governor Otti to “allow mercy prevail over judgement”, by reconsidering his stance on the pension issue and give the pensioner’s a second chance.
The ceremony featured the commissioning of the Senator Chris Adighije Health Insurance Complex (SCAHIC BUILDING), a complex named after the celebrant by the Board and Management of the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia in appreciation the roles Sen Adighije played during his tenure as the Chairman of the FMC Board.
Present at the event were the former Senate President, Sen David Mark, Minister for Finance and coordinating Minister of the economy, Wale Edu, Governor of Imo State, Sen Hope Uzodinma, Past and present members of the National Assembly including, Sen Nkechi Nwogu, Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe, Sen Chris Ngige, Sen Austin Akobundu, Members of the State Executive Council, Politicians from all works if life, Family, friends and Colleagues of the celebrant among other dignitaries.
