By Kabiru Abubakar
The Forum of North-East Chairmen and Secretaries of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners has met and handed over leadership to the newly elected chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Alhassan Misau.
The meeting focused on strengthening pensioners’ welfare in the North-East region, with emphasis on ensuring compliance with the recently approved thirty-two thousand naira minimum pension.
Union chairmen and secretaries from the six North-East states discussed key issues affecting retirees, including prompt pension payments, implementation of the minimum pension, healthcare access, and improved welfare benefits for senior citizens.
In his acceptance speech, the new North-East chairman and Bauchi State chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Alhassan Misau, commended Bauchi State Government for being the first to implement the ₦32,000 minimum pension.
He urged all North-East governors to prioritise implementation of the minimum pension and address pension-related challenges, while calling for stronger commitment to retirees’ welfare across the region.
He also appreciated forum members and encouraged consistent payment of state and zonal dues to advance union activities at both state and regional levels for effective representation.
Comrade Abdullahi pledged to build unity among members and collaborate with authorities to safeguard pensioners’ rights, improve entitlements, and elevate the North-East zone of the Union for greater progress.
National Trustee of the Union, Mrs Paulina Kaigama, urged members to remain law-abiding and stressed unity as vital to protecting the wellbeing of senior citizens across their respective states.
The Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress, Bauchi State Chapter, Comrade Dauda Shu’aibu, represented by the his vice, Comrade Ibrahim Mai Kudi, encouraged members to work closely with the organised labour to strengthen the fight for retirees’ rights.
The forum reaffirmed its commitment to promoting policies that enhance the welfare and living conditions of pensioners in the region and across Nigeria.
