From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
Retired staff of the Sokoto State Primary School Education Board have appealed to Governor Ahmed Aliyu to order the immediate payment of their outstanding pensions and gratuities.
The retirees said the delay had plunged them and their families into severe economic hardship, with many battling health challenges as a result.
They lamented that several colleagues and family members had died due to the prolonged non-payment of benefits, while others remain in critical need of medical treatment.
“Our situation is dire. Some of us retired over five to 10 years ago and have not received a kobo in pension or gratuity. We urge the governor to intervene and direct the Pension Board to clear our entitlements,” one of the retirees said.
A source at the Sokoto State Local Government Staff Pension Board and the Primary School Staff Pension Board said some outstanding payments were made in 2002 and 2017, and a memo had been forwarded to the governor seeking approval to continue the exercise.
It was further gathered that many civil servants across the 23 local government areas are currently submitting retirement letters, with some forced out due to ill health, old age, or service-related issues.
The retirees alleged manipulation of the process, claiming it had denied them their rights and worsened their economic and health conditions.
“We are only asking for what is due to us. This situation is breaking families apart and causing unnecessary suffering,” another retiree said.
