Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti says he is going to take a second look at the issues surrounding the agreement the State Government had earlier signed with the leadership of the Abia State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) on defraying of the arrears of pensions owed by the PDP administrations in the State.
Governor Otti stated this while responding to the request made by the Chaplain of the Federal Medical Centre Chapel, Umuahia, Rev. Ernest Onyeukwu during his sermon at the 80th birthday thanksgiving service of Senator Chris Adighije, organised on his behalf by the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.
According to the Governor, he is happy that the man of God understood and narrated the actual thing that transpired between the Government and the leadership of the NUP and insisted that the pensioners are honest people but their leadership is where the issue lies.
“I want to thank you (the priest) for the positive comments that you made about the government. 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 is what it is.
“You can’t agree on something and then come to say that you didn’t agree. You can’t sign and say you signed under duress, particularly for our senior citizens.
“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 their association,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti, who said that the preacher was correct in saying that no pension was paid in Abia State in 2018, recalled how the Governor deployed 10 Billon Naira in defraying the arrears of pensions owed by the past administrations.
“When you said nobody was paid pension in 2018, you are very correct. Not one dime was paid but the leadership of the NUP was part of the reason nobody was paid.
“So, 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 that they didn’t sign. So, that angered me but because you (Rev. Onyeukwu) have said it, I will have a second look at it.
“Since they talked to you, you should also tell them to mind who their friends are. Somebody owed you for over ten years, didn’t pay you and somebody comes and brings 10 billion Naira and puts on the table and pays you, and tomorrow, that person that owed you comes out to speak for you, you can see that something is wrong. So, please tell them to mind who their friends are.,” Gov. Otti instructed.
Governor Alex Otti used the opportunity to commission Senator Chris Adighije Health Insurance Complex (SCAHIC BUILDING), a complex named after Senator Chris Adighije by the Board and Management of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.
He commended the Board and Management of the FMC for honouring Senator Adighije and described him as a very good man, who is worth celebrating.
Earlier while presenting the complex to the Governor, the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi noted that the institution decided to honour Senator Adighije at his 80th birthday in that manner as a way of appreciating the role he played during his tenure as the Chairman of the FMC Board.
The thanksgiving ceremony and reception was attended by eminent Nigerians including the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Senator Representing Abia South Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the former Senate President, His Excellency, Senator Adolphus Wabara, the former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige, the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd) and several senior Government appointees.
Ctz. UKOHA NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State
22 – 03- 2025.
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