Nigerian retirees, under the aegis of the Association of Retired Principals of Secondary Schools of Nigeria, ARPSSON, Ogun State Chapter, have urged the Federal Government to alleviate their burdens by providing free or subsidised healthcare services to members.
The President of the association, Alexander Obadimu, speaking at the 3rd Ogun Annual Congress held in Abeokuta on Wednesday, also called for the establishment of old people’s homes and counselling centres to offer emotional support, enhance quality of life, and enable retirees to enjoy their golden years in comfort and dignity.
The congress, which drew delegates from Remo, Ijebu, Yewa-Awori, and Egba blocs, among others, was themed “Exploring How Inflation Has Affected the Purchasing Power of the Retirees and Strategies for Mitigating Its Impact.”
Obadimu lamented that despite the nationwide increase in the prices of goods and services, pensions had remained static since retirement. He noted that the resulting financial strain had led to multiple health challenges among retirees, often resulting in untimely deaths due to diminished purchasing power.
He said, “We majorly are requesting that our pay package should be relatively increased to meet the present economic demand. A good number of us collect the same retirement package that we started with many years ago.
“We expect that we should be made to receive free healthcare. We require good healthcare at no cost; if we have to pay at all, it has to be minimal. These are the things that would keep us going. Aside from that, counselling centres should be provided for our use when situations arise, and old people’s homes, just like in advanced countries, can be made available to us.”
Obadimu further advised retired civil servants to prioritise their health by eating fibre-rich foods, engaging in regular exercise, and avoiding processed, salty, and sugary foods.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abayomi Arigbabu, represented by Tunji Yusuf, commended the retirees for their service, noting that the education sector had evolved significantly since their time.
He added that the Abiodun-led administration had renovated numerous schools across the state and urged the retirees to share their wealth of experience with the younger generation to help reshape the state’s education sector.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, Felix Agbesanwa, represented by Yusuf Bakare, assured the retirees that their contributions and years of dedicated service would never be forgotten.
