By Helen Ovbiagele

With regards to the above piece, I was very surprised to find out that all those who wrote in, (I assume that they’re pensioners) supported the annual verification exercise of Federal Government pensioners.

I’ve always thought that the exercise is not necessary every year, considering that for many of the pensioners, the gain is small at the end of the day. For those who retired at a high level and who receive worthy monthly pension, I suppose we can say it is necessary, but for those whose pension is less than ten thousand naira a month, should they go line up every year to prove that they’re alive?

Those who wrote in said ‘yes’, all pensioners should go for the annual verification exercise, otherwise, much money will go into unauthorized pockets.

I suppose this is true. However, it’s the process of the exercise that many readers condemn. A gentleman felt I and my friend got our facts wrong, as there were indeed deaths during this year’s exercise, which were reported by the media. I missed that. Also, there are claims of fraud by some readers. The authorities should look into this.

Someone suggested that pensioners should be issued with ID cards after information about them has been captured. This seems a good idea.

We thank all those who sent in their views, but regret that we could only publish these few: “ I have just finished reading your piece on the Federal government pensioners’ recent verification exercise in today’s Sunday Vanguard.

I am a federal pensioner. I took part in the exercise and I beg to disagree with your views and those of your friend. The exercise was a sham. In all the states of the federation there were inadequate capture machines and personnel, resulting in long wait.

There were two deaths of 80 year-old pensioners in Ibadan and Akure; the news of which was reported in all the dailies, including the Vanguard. Pensioners-related problem is intentionally created and perpetrated by those charged to solve the problem (s) they created.

It is FRAUD in high places. Even those officers who were caught for stealing four billion naira of pension funds are still in service.

There is no country in the world where pensioners are treated shabbily and denied their pensions the way we do in Nigeria. If you know of one, please share it with your readers. I am still being owed 48 months of pension arrears and I have been made to fill so many forms to lodge the same complaint, without any remedy in sight.

Government cares less about the retirees; the plight of the pensioners nowithstanding. Nigeria is our collective SHAME!

The media should continue to beam its searchlight on the Pension Office in the office of the Head of Service to expose those who are depriving the pensioners their pensions. There seem to be a clique of fraudsters! – Adio Oladipupo.’

“Mrs. Ovbiagele, thank you very much for your piece on the recent verification exercise. I had mine done in Lagos and I can tell you that it was very un-dignifying for us older citizens. Yes, the exercise is necessary because of the cheating and dishonesty that prevail in the system, but I believe that it can be carried out with a lot more concern and thoughtfulness.

I sat around for two and a half days at Onikan, Lagos, before I was attended to. What’s more, staff of the consultancy treat you as if they’re doing you a favour. Besides, it isn’t ‘first come, first served’ as it is meant to be. Staff of the consultancy should be fast and fair in attending to pensioners. – Madam Oyinda, Mushin.”

“Madam, that your article on pensioners and the stress they go through to be verified as being alive was very timely and important. I’m an 81 year old federal government pensioner and I deplore the way this annual verification exercise is being carried out.

Though the staff are not as rude as when civil servants were doing the job, they should show more concern to the elderly and be faster and more orderly at the job. They should understand that due to health challenges, many of us are not as nimble as we used to be, so, we cannot be expected to leap forward as soon as they call out our names.

They won’t keep to the order in which we queued up and are seated, but would reel out a list of names at a go, and it’s those who can rush forward immediately that would be attended to first. A few people were given other people’s paper in various mix-ups. I think we deserve better attention. Pa Micheal, Obalende.”

“Helen, you meant well in your article, but it is necessary to continue the annual verification exercise of pensioners. The issue of ghost workers which robs the nation of millions of naira each month, is not just guess work, I can assure you. I refuse to believe that those at the top are not aware of what’s going on.

Only God can save this nation from fraudulent practices. I took part in this year’s exercise and it was as stressful as before. I don’t know about the situation being better than before, all I know is that it was the same shabby and disorderly exercise in which staff were laid-back in carrying out their duties, thereby prolonging the time you need to be on the premises. We don’t need this nonsense after putting in so many dedicated years serving this nation. – Elder Joshua.”

“Madam, if more care and attention are put into the execution of this yearly exercise, it wouldn’t be as frustrating and stressful as it at present. Days on which various levels of the retirement points of pensioners should appear, should be stuck to. Notice of the screening is not put in all the papers, and not all retirees take in newspapers.

Since most citizens have mobile phones, I suggest that they should be asked to supply their numbers, and text messages should be sent to them, telling them when to come. This would save a lot of time and stress. The authorities shouldn’t tell us that the government can’t afford to do this. They can and they should. Thanks. – Mrs Oti, Ketu.”

“Madam, now that Federal pensioners and state pensioners who worked before 1977 and are therefore entitled to federal pension, have once more gone through hell to be verified and during which the very sick ones were carried to the venues and some died at the venues, while others later fell sick due to the stressful nature of the yearly excise.

Is it not better and helpful that they issue us with Identity Cards, as our data have been captured and which we should present whenever there is a verification exercise, instead of our photostating the necessary retirement documents all over again for the excruciating exercise that kills pensioners slowly and surely?

Anambra State pensioners who retire before 2000, had their pensions enhanced, but the little increment worked out for them has not yet been implemented. – Ifeka Okonkwo.”