Nigeria and the Plight of its Pensioners

Repost.Originally posted Aug 31, 2018.

I was reading an article on the plight of pensioners in the news recently, and it got me thinking once again, about our lack of concern and sense of responsibility towards the elderly, infirm or disabled in the society, where there is no conscious effort, no social or economic safety net, to ensure that the most vulnerable in our midst, do not go on suffering at this late stage in their lives.

People who have worked all their lives and qualified for retirement benefits, even past military personnel, who have risked the lives for the glory of the country, are made to jump through all kinds of hoops and difficult physical conditions to receive a stipend to sustain them, through a process that still doesn’t guarantee them any resolution. Those pension desk staff in Kogi State in the news article, who have been indicted for extorting money from the pensioners, would be among those complaining about corruption in the system and how the ‘leaders’ are ruining the country, completely unaware of how their own actions at the lower levels of society is adding to the decadence we all complain about.

2018, Group of protesting pensioners at the Federal Capital Territory

A lot of pensioners have collapsed or lost their lives on the road, while traveling to, or sweating outside government offices, while waiting for screening and verification exercises, years after they have retired and should be settled into a peaceful routine in whatever location they chose. This people are made to stand for days, anticipating a favorable resolution of their case, without proper accommodation, food or medical care being provided.

When we don’t make conscious effort to protect the lives of those most vulnerable in our society, how do we create a system where the firm and able minded, can thrive without stealing, accepting or demanding bribe and cheating others as a means to get ahead the in society? We need to start looking closely at ourselves with more compassion, be a part of a movement that would elect leaders that demand, fight for, and enact laws and policies that are people-centric. Even as we learn to care for one another as citizens of one country.