Coalition Warns Against Politicising Retired Teachers’ Entitlements

A group, Civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All has warned the Abia State wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) against politicising the payment of entitlements to the retired members.

The warning was contained in a statement by the South East Zonal coordinator of the coalition, Eunice Egbuna, which was made available to journalists in Umuahia, the state capital.

„We‘re concerned over the prolonged delay and alleged political maneuvers surrounding the payment of deserved entitlements to retired teachers,“ the statement observed.

It said, Egbuna, who is the coordinator of the state Retired Teachers Forum expressed dismay over the challenges the members faced during their verification exercise by the wing which lasted for over a month.

„The exercise subjected the senior citizens to an absurd screening process in an unconducive environment, causing them unnecessary distress and delay in receiving their rightful entitlements,“ it added.

The statement was sequel to previous correspondences from the forum and the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society to the wing calling for prompt action on the matter.

„Despite these efforts and the submission of letters to the office of the governor, the coalition, and the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, there has been no tangible progress in resolving the issue.

„We call on the government, the Human Rights Commission, the congress, and other relevant stakeholders to exert pressure on the wing to expedite the payment process and to uphold the rights of retired teachers.

„Failure to take decisive action on this matter would not only perpetuate injustice but also tarnish the reputation of the state as a defender of elderly rights and education equity,” the statement reads.