WELFARE AND CHALLENGES OF THE UNION IN THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CHAIRMAN COMRADE DR. ANTHONY C. UGOZOR (JP)
THIS 6TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 AT KING DAVID HOTEL, AWKA. PROTOCOL:
On behalf of the good Pensioners of Anambra State, I say good morning to all the dignitaries gathered here to interact with the Pensioners of Anambra State. In a very special way, I appreciate the presence of our Worthy Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress Comrade Humphrey Emeka Nwafor, the TUC Chairman Comrade Chris Ogbonna, the NUJ Chairman Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD, JNC Chairman Comrade Dr. Dennis Muomaife, Mr. Jude Anadi, Pension Consultant, Chief Comrade G.C. Chukwukelu, Secretary, Association of Retired Primary School Teachers of Anambra State and all representatives of the various media here present. I equally recognize the State Executive of NUP and the entire State Council of the Union-I welcome you all.
Today is a special day set aside by God Almighty for interaction of NUP with Stakeholders, other Union Leaders as well as our highly respected Ladies and gentlemen of both electronic and print media. Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to start with a very pleasant note which is the commissioning of NUP gigantic edifice at Abuja named after the indefatigable National President of the Union Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners’ Legacy House at No. 14 Massenya Street, off Cotonou Crescent Wuse Zone 6, Abuja on 15th July, 2026. The commissioning was done by His Excellency Engr. ABBA KABIR YUSUF (FNSE) Executive Governor of Kano State. 1 2.
PREAMBLE In Anambra State, it is on record that the five years arrears of gratuities (2016-2020) inherited from his predecessor His Excellence Chief Dr. Willie Obiano amounting to ₦22 Billion has been successfully cleared by Mr. Solution Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo-Charlie Nwangbafor. It cannot be over emphasized that the ₦10,000 pension award to all Pensioners by Mr. Governor on 25th October 2024, when he realized that most Pensioners in the State receive less than ₦1,000 as their monthly pension.
Besides, the NUP made Mr. Governor understand that the least paid Pensioner receives ₦333.45 only as her monthly pension. Sequel to the above, the Solution Governor: Prof. Charles Soludo immediately gave an AWARD by fiat of ₦10,000 to all Pensioners with effect from October 2024, on the interim pending the pension harmonization and implementation of minimum pension of ₦32,000. 3. ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT IMPRESSION THAT THE ₦10,000 AWARD BY FIAT IS HARMONIZATION OF PENSION:
Undoubtedly, the above mentioned pension award cannot be seen as approval of pension adjustment in line with salary reviews for improved welfare as canvassed by the Government of Anambra State: since salary reviews is a constitutional and establishment matter which happens every five years but the State Government continues to ignore that.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution 1999 as amended States in Section 210(3) “Pensions shall be reviewed every five years or together with any State Civil Service Salary reviews, whichever is earlier” the State Government doesn’t look at this Section of the Constitution. Hence there was no review of pension for more than twenty years as the last state pension review was on 1st May 2000.
About three weeks ago, the Government of Anambra State made claims that she had paid Anambra State Pensioners all outstanding obligations with the Heading: “GOVERNOR SOLUDO STRENGTHENS PENSION WELFARE IN ANAMBRA” 2 4. SETTLING OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS: Anambra State Government claimed phased clearance of inherited pension arrears. It is not true because she is owing 11 months pension arrears owed some Primary School Pensioners.
Rather what Pensioners of the State heard is mere nominal approval of pension adjustment of the State Government. I want to state that APPROVAL is not payment and ADJUSTMENT of pension is not HARMONIZATION OF PENSION. 5. HISTORY OF THE ELEVEN (11) MONTHS ARREARS BEING DEMANDED a. The Federal Government of Nigeria had taken steps as a rule to remit Federal Shares of Pensions of Teachers’ that retired from service as and when due to various states of the Federation including Anambra State.
b. The arrears were sixteen (16) months as inherited by Gov. Peter Obi’s Administration. c. Gov. Peter Obi after carefully studying the matter was satisfied that he inherited the debt and consequently approved the sixteen months for installmental payment. d. Gov. Peter Obi administration graciously paid Five (5) of the sixteen (16) months in tranches before leaving office and gave directive for payment of the remaining eleven months on 13th March, 2014 few days before he left office. It is this outstanding eleven months that is due for payment to some affected Primary School Pensioners that we are demanding.
And for the avoidance of doubts, letter from the Head of Service referenced HOS/ED/RR/5/SUB.1/T.2/108 dated 14th March 2014 conveyed Governor Peter Obi’s approval to commence the liquidation of the eleven months’ arrears of the Federal Share of Pensions due to retired Primary School Pensioners to the Secretary Local Government Pensions Board, Awka as the money sent by Federal Government to Anambra State for that purpose is domicile in their Office.
3 6. NLC MAYDAY ADDRESS TO GOVERNOR SOLUDO ON 1ST MAY 2023. Please recall that the State Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress, Anambra State Council Comrade (Sir) Humphrey Emeka Nwafor (KSJI) on the occasion of the Workers’ Day Celebration on first day of May, 2023 at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square Awka-presented his address to the Executive Governor of Anambra State Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
In his address he highlighted “PROBLEMS OF PENSIONERS: a. Congress appeals for declaration by fiat of thirty thousand naira (₦30,000) as minimum pension in the State. This is eminent our Solution Governor so that the current situation where many Pensioners are receiving as low as Three Hundred and Thirty Three Naira Forty-Five Kobo (₦333.45) as their monthly pension will be a thing of the past.
b. Consequently, Congress requests for the payment of Arrears of eleven (11) months pension owed some Primary School Pensioners from 2002 to 2003, amounting to Four Hundred and Ninety Million One Hundred and Eighty-Four Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty-Six Naira Fifty-Eight Kobo (₦490,184,626.58). The arrears were approved for payment since 2014 and the approval is in the custody of Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC) waiting to be disbursed to the beneficiaries”
Regrettably, the Governor knowing that as he was sworn in, he received both assets and liabilities as both are complimentary. Therefore, on receipt of the Nigeria Labour Congress address and his pleadings, he ought to have asked pertinent question on what is holding the payment as approval is not payment and effect the payment since the money is domicile in JAAC Office, Government House Awka. 4 7. LETTER TO THE SPEAKER OF ANAMBRA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ON NON-PAYMENT OF 11 MONTHS ARREARS OF PENSION TO PRIMARY SCHOOL PENSIONERS.
Furthermore, the NUP Anambra State Council wrote a letter to the Speaker Anambra State House of Assembly Awka Ref. NUP/ANS/36/35 dated 9th February 2024 and received by the Office of the Speaker on 16th February 2024, demanding payment of 11 months pension arrears owed some Primary School Pensioners. The House of Assembly held meeting on two occasions with NUP Leadership, Officers of Local Government Pension’s Board and Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC) during which the State House of Assembly confirmed that the money is domicile in JAAC Office and yet to be paid to the Concerned Pensioners.
8. NUP WROTE A LETTER TO THE STATE HEAD OF SERVICE ON NON-PAYMENT OF THE ELEVEN MONTHS ARREARS OF PENSION TO PRIMARY SCHOOL PENSIONERS: Nigeria Union of Pensioners Anambra State Council wrote the State Head of Service Letter Ref NUP/ANS/36/36 dated 24th January, 2025 which was received by the Office of the Head of Service on 30th January 2025 demanding payment of 11 months pension arrears owed the Primary School Pensioners amounting to ₦490,184,626.58 (Four Hundred and Ninety Million, One Hundred and Eighty-four Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty-six Naira, Fifty-eight Kobo). Unfortunately, the State Head of Service did not do anything.
NUP Anambra State Council therefore concluded that all the arms of the State Government decided not be take payment of the 11 months of arrears of pension owed Primary School Pensioners seriously as it has not been paid as at date and no further information from any of them to the Union. 5 9. SUBMISSION OF COMPREHENSIVE AND VERIFIED PAYABLE LEDGER PREPARED BY THE ANAMBRA STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONS BOARD, AWKA.
It is pertinent to inform the Governor of Anambra State, the speaker Anambra State House of Assembly, The State Head of Service and in particular the Anambra State Local Government PENSIONS BOARD, Awka that we enclosed a payment ledger prepared and verified by the Anambra State Local Government Pensions Board, Awka containing a pensioners:- 1. TREASURY CASH OFFICE NUMBER 2. NAME OF PENSIONER 3. DATE OF RETIREMENT 4. BANK AND ACCOUNT NUMBER OF THE PENSIONER 5. FEDERAL MONTHLY PENSION AMOUNT OF THE PENSIONER 6. AMOUNT OF THE ELEVEN MONTHS PAYABLE TO THE PENSIONERS in all our letters under reference to them for guidance. And for the avoidance of doubts this compilation was done in November 2014 by the Anambra State Local Government Pension Board for Payment, heaven knows why they refused to pay the beneficiaries they compiled.
Interestingly, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Anambra State Council is in receipt of the Ledger. PRAYERS The Governor is invited to use his good offices to direct the Anambra State Local Government Pensions Board, Awka to begin payments with the ledger containing verified and certified names of the beneficiaries at his earliest convenience. 6 10.
ON HARMONIZATION OF PENSION: NUP wish to state categorically that harmonization of pension in Anambra State is yet to be done in the State. Irrespective of the choice of words by Mr. Governor: Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo such as “SETTLING OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS”, “PENSION ADJUSTMENT”, GRATUITY PAYMENT” etc, etc, etc.
I wish to explain the true meaning of Harmonization of Pension which simply means placing at par all Pensioners who retire on the same grade level at various years irrespective of their year of retirement.
a). For example: In the table below using GL 16 as a reference point shows that harmonization has not been done. If harmonization is done S/Nos. 7(2010), 8(2014), 9(2017) and 10(2018) will be receiving the same amount as 11(2026) which is ₦149,839.00 per month.
- b) Note that S/Nos. 1−6 below shows exactly what Officers who retired between 2002 and 2009 at various Grade Levels were receiving before the Governor’s Award by fiat of Ten Thousand Naira (₦10,000) in October 2024.
AMOUNT OF THE ELEVEN MONTHS PAYABLE TO THE PENSIONERS in all our letters under reference to them for guidance. And for the avoidance of doubts this compilation was done in November 2014 by the Anambra State Local Government Pension Board for Payment, heaven knows why they refused to pay the beneficiaries they compiled.
Interestingly, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Anambra State Council is in receipt of the Ledger. PRAYERS The Governor is invited to use his good offices to direct the Anambra State Local Government Pensions Board, Awka to begin payments with the ledger containing verified and certified names of the beneficiaries at his earliest convenience. 6 10.
ON HARMONIZATION OF PENSION: NUP wish to state categorically that harmonization of pension in Anambra State is yet to be done in the State. Irrespective of the choice of words by Mr. Governor: Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo such as “SETTLING OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS”, “PENSION ADJUSTMENT”, GRATUITY PAYMENT” etc, etc, etc.
I wish to explain the true meaning of Harmonization of Pension which simply means placing at par all Pensioners who retire on the same grade level at various years irrespective of their year of retirement.
a). For example: In the table below using GL 16 as a reference point shows that harmonization has not been done. If harmonization is done S/Nos. 7(2010), 8(2014), 9(2017) and 10(2018) will be receiving the same amount as 11(2026) which is ₦149,839.00 per month.
- b) Note that S/Nos. 1−6 below shows exactly what Officers who retired between 2002 and 2009 at various Grade Levels were receiving before the Governor’s Award by fiat of Ten Thousand Naira (₦10,000) in October 2024.
It is pertinent to note that PENSION AWARD cannot be taken as HARMONIZATION OF PENSION which is a constitutional and establishment matter.
“PENSION ADJUSTMENT” can be viewed as Review of pension which the: 1999 Constitution Section 210(3) says it shall be done every five years and any Civil Service Salary review attracts corresponding increase to Pensioners’ pension. Therefore, the 2024 ₦70,000 new minimum wage to workers in Nigeria should attract corresponding increase to Pensioners pension but that was not done in the State, although the Leadership of Organized Labour in Anambra State led by the State NLC Chairman Comrade Humphrey Emeka Nwafor in 2024 negotiated from the State Government the current sum of ₦82,000 as minimum wage for Workers. Kudos and all thanks to Governor Charles Soludo.
- PENSION RECEIPT BY A 2010 GRADE LEVEL 16 OFFICER is NOW EQUIVALENT TO ₦82,000 MINIMUM WAGE OF 2026 IN ANAMBRA STATE:
Please a careful observation of the above table in No. 9. No. 7 shows that an Officer who retired in Anambra State Civil Service in year 2010 on Salary Grade Level 16 received ₦71,000 as monthly pension before the Governor’s award by fiat of ₦10,000 which brought his monthly pension to ₦81,000 now, almost equivalent of the State 2026 minimum salary paid to Grade Level O1 Worker in Anambra State.
The Leadership of Nigeria Union of Pensioners Anambra State Council has taken pains to show the Anambra State Government why it is necessary and immediate to begin the process of HARMONIZATION OF PENSION in the State to save lives as Pensioners are dying in great numbers of hunger, sickness and preventable death. Last week the Leadership of Nigeria Union of Pensioners in the State attended the burial of the immediate Past Chairman of our Branch in Ogidi Late Eric Onwurah. This week we have received news of the death of Comrade Egbuna who was also the immediate Past Chairman of 8 Onitsha Branch Office.
The NUP Anambra State is not crying wolf where there is none. 12. ANAMBRA BROADCASTING SERVICE, ABS, DEMANDS: It is important to Note that the ₦10,000 award to Pensioners in 2024: the Pensioners of ABS were omitted in the payment. All the efforts both of ABS Pensioners Union and NUP State Council to make the government pay such debt to ABS Pensioners were in vain. It now stands to reason that ABS Pensioners are owed arrears of the ₦10,000 award for 22 months (October 2024−July 2026). There are still lamentation among the ABS Pensioners because ABS Pensioners are yet to receive their gratuities owed them since year 2017−amounting to a total of ₦150m.
Every Government inherits both assets and liabilities. It therefore stands to reason that if the above mentioned outstanding entitlements and obligations are completely settled, then all the Pensioners and their loved ones will join the rest of the humanity to shout Praise the Lord, as well as addressing the Governor as SOLUTION TO PENSION WELFARE IN ANAMBRA! ODENIGBO!! ODENJINJI!!! etc, etc, etc. 13. MINIMUM PENSION IN ANAMBRA STATE It is now reasonable to say that in the NLC State Chairmans address of 1st May 2023 he prayed the State Governor Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo to upgrade the minimum pension to N30,000 which today’s inflation has brought minimum Pension in Anambra State to N56,000 since minimum wage is N82,000.
- NON REFUND OF MONEY DEDUCTED BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT FROM WORKERS ON CONTRIBUTORY PENSION SCHEME WHO ARE NOW RETIRED.
On the 22nd day of May 2024 following the intervention of the state organized labour in a meeting with Government at Government House Awka to stop further deduction of contributory pension until the law to guide the deduction is promulgated by the State House of Assembly. 9 However, those from whom their salaries were deducted for that purpose were not refunded up to date, despite the fact that the committee set up by the state government on the contributory pension scheme adviced government to refund all those that their money was deducted.
It is important to note that some of the workers have gone to National Industrial Court of Nigeria to compel the state government refund moneys deducted from their salaries about eight (8) years ago now that they have retired.
In conclusion, from the above presentation, it is not difficult to understand that all is not well with the pensioners of the state who utilized their youthful ages in service of the state. Thanks for your attention.
In conclusion, from the above presentation, it is not difficult to understand that all is not well with the pensioners of the state who utilized their youthful ages in service of the state. Thanks for your attention.
