December eleven every year is set aside as Pensioners’ Day in Nigeria and beyond. The Nigeria Union of Pensioners was born on August 15, 1978 following its registration by the Registrar of Trade Unions, under the Trade Unions Amendment Decree. The union is the umbrella body of all retired civilian and para-military workers in Nigeria.

The Union was established to care for all retired workers in the country, who automatically become members of the union immediately they retire from service and are placed on pension. The Primary aims and objectives of the Union are to organize pensioners and regulate relationship between the Union and all tiers of governments as well as Federal and state Parastatals and the management of Private establishments.

Nigeria Union of Pensioners has the duty to advance and protect the interest of its members.  The Union activities are being regulated by the Office of the Registrar of Trade Unions, just like every other registered Industrial Union.

NUP, Anambra state, was born in 1994 following the creation of the State in 1991. The First State Council was inaugurated with Chinyelugo Okagbue Enwezo as Chairman and Mr. Humphrey Ikeyina as Secretary. Thereafter, Ichie Nwabunwanne Madukaife was elected as the State Chairman while Humphrey Ikeyina continued as the State Secretary. They served for four years.

Comrade Charles Ofodile was elected Chairman in 2001, while Mr. H. Ikeyina continued as Secretary until he became sick and Comrade Anthony Ekemezie Ugoji took over as the acting State Secretary for a short while, before Sir Richard Ndubude was appointed the State Secretary. On the expiration of Comrade Ofodile’s 2nd tenure in 2008, Chief Benjamin Maduka was elected Chairman while R.K. Ndubude remained the Secretary. 

The Union continued to wax stronger until April, 2016 when there was an eclipse in the leadership of the State Council of NUP. The State Secretary, Sir R.K. Ndubude died in April, 2016, while the State Chairman, Chief B.C. Maduka, also died  on the 29th of the same April, 2016.  That month of April 2016 was indeed a black month for NUP IN Anambra State.

Consequently, the mantle of leadership of the union fell on Comrade Dr. Anthony Ugozor (JP) and Deacon Emmanuel Ebo as State Chairman and Secretary respectively.  Since then, the tempo of progress in the Union has not waned.

It is on record that pensioners have not received any increment in most states of the Federation, including Anambra. However, Anambra is better off because Dr. Chris Ngige’s regime awarded 142% increment to pensioners in the state. Chief Peter Obi provided the union a 14-seater bus, paid pension gratuities to both State and Local Government Pensioners as and when due as well as 16 months out of the 22 months arrears owed some primary school pensioners of 2002/2003 set, leaving an outstanding debt of 11 months.

The present administration of Governor Willie Obiano is more than ever committed to the payment of pensions and gratuities. With this development, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners gave the hardworking Governor an award as the “Most Pensioners Friendly Governor In Nigeria”. This, no doubt, has strengthened the existing title for which he is known as the “Alert Governor”. Akpokuedike has continued to give both serving and retired Anambra workers, rice every December.

However, the humble expectations of Pensioners in Anambra State include: harmonization of Pensions; Payment of the already approved 11 months Pensions owed some primary school retirees and Ensuring immediate review of pensions to the new minimum wage in keeping with the law, which states that “Pensions shall be reviewed every five years or together with any State Civil Service salary reviews, whichever is earlier”.

Pensioners are delicate and precious assets to be respected, preserved, nurtured and maintained.  Obviously, they are no longer “Dead Wood” as Governor Obiano is carving a niche for himself by doing his best towards making pensioners in Anambra State look better.  TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

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