Ex-soldiers protest pension arrears in Ogun, Oyo

• AfricCon News
  AfricCon Latest Nigerian Report:Ex-soldiers protest pension arrears in Ogun, Oyo
  Africcon Media, Nigeria
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Military pensioners in Ogun and Oyo states on Monday protested against the Federal Government’s failure to pay their outstanding arrears.
  
  The ex-servicemen, who decried Federal Government’s alleged nonchalant attitude to them, also accused the authorities of paying lip service to their welfare.
  
  In Abeokuta, hundreds of the pensioners, under the aegis of Military Pensioners of Ogun State, marched to the Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s office at Oke-Mosan, where they appealed to him to use his good offices to prevail on the Federal Government to settle their arrears.
  
  Their chairman, Sgt. Samuel Awosanya (retd), noted that since 2009 when the Federal Government approved a 53 per cent increase in their pension, it had yet to implement the policy.
  
  Awosanya lamented that with the present economic realities, their pension could hardly sustain them and their families.
  
  He alleged that many of his colleagues had died due to their inability to settle hospital bills and their children sent out of school for not paying their tuition.
  
  He said, “Our members are dying on daily because they cannot afford hospital bills. This is why we call on you as a listening governor to help us take our case to the Federal Government. We have suffered enough for the country.”
  
  The governor, represented by  the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, promised to take their case to the Federal Government.
  
  He said, “Although what you have come for is a Federal Government matter, I can assure you on behalf of Mr. Governor that necessary steps will be taken to assist you in getting your case to the appropriate quarters. For us in Ogun State, whatever affects you,affects us.”
  
  In Ibadan, Oyo State, the Chairman, Military Pensioners Group, South-South, Gabriel Oaikhena, who led his colleagues at a rally, said it was unfortunate that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration was insensitive to their plight.
  
  He said, “Over 500,000 soldiers lost their lives in Nigeria/Biafra war. None of their family members received money. Nothing was paid to their families.
  
  “Those of us who are fortunate to be alive are living like destitute and going about like beggars.
  
  “Enough is enough. Do not forget what happened in the Animal Kingdom; the characters just burst into protest overnight.
  
  “The Federal Government has pushed us to the wall. President Goodluck Jonathan is making us hungry. The FG has pushed us to the wall; we are tired.
  
  “Let the government kill us if they can. We shall link up with international community to tell the whole worldhow the FG is treating us.”