Payment of gratuity & pension

PAYMENT OF GRATUITY AND PENSION IN NIGERIA


Brethren, “there are dangers in men’s smile” as it was cited by William Shakespeare. Even as the world over and beyond celebrates and would continue to celebrate the late literary giant, Prof. Chinua Achebe for his unquantifiable contribution towards the global academic growth and promotion, there are many who are yet to know that someone of his kind once came into existence; just as various entities or individuals in the Nigerian South-Eastern region are yet to acknowledge the fact that the late Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu had an exemplary vision towards the emancipation of the Igbo nation which was marginalized. The aforementioned idiosyncrasy or phenomenon is not barbaric; thus, it doesn’t sound crazy, rather, it’s natural. Meanwhile, let’s ride on!

Penultimate week, I coincidentally ran into a young man who happened to be one of my university friends and classmates at one of the relaxation points in Ehime Mbano L.G.A, Imo State. As we were embracing our impromptu get-together, the welcome speech of the man who has known me as an activist right from our school days was that, Nigeria was still in comatose state. In spite of the cruelty, without being asked to expatiate while I was still in my pensive mood, he proceeded by saying that the nation would soon collapse if drastic measure was not taken. Though the preface coupled with the body of his candid speech was so harsh, but it wasn’t thoroughly shocking to me because I’ve come to realize that at recent time virtually every Nigerian youth is aggrieved. Please don’t ask me why.

Besides, our topic of the day is payment of gratuity and pension in the Nigerian society. Gratuity, according to the context of this humble edition, is a large gift/amount of money given to someone when he/she leaves his/her employment or after his/her retirement. In the same vein, pension is a regular sum of money given to someone to serve as an entitlement as a result of his/her retirement, old age, loss of a marriage partner or disability as the case may be.

Going by the definition of the latter, you will find out that apart from a retiree anybody could be entitled or be a beneficiary to pension provided that he/she is less-privileged. Such routine is being adhered to in most civilized/advance countries in the world. In Ireland for instance, there’s a place created by the government which is known as “the old people’s home”. In such home, the old men and women ranging from seventy (70) are being kept and properly catered for. But in Nigeria, the government is only concerned with the retirees; still, the retirees constantly cry out for such entitlement. Considering this aspect of the Nigerian society, what stops a typical or an average Nigerian youth whom I’ve known for decades to be restive from boldly saying that “Nigeria is still in comatose state” as it was cited by my beloved friend and fan.

Not just the pension. What about the gratuity that someone is meant to go home with as soon as he retires or vacates his office for his home having served the country meritoriously for several years. As a worker goes home after retirement, his journey back home ought to be accompanied with his gratuity. He worked for it, thus it’s his entitlement. Therefore, he is not expected to beg for it. Q.E.D.

As an analyst, I know there is a way out of this consistently occurring ugly scenario. Since most of the officers in charge of payment of gratuity and pension have cultivated the disgusting habit of running away with our money thereby enriching their respective bank accounts, then we don’t need a prophet to tell us that the remedy to our sleepless nights lies in our precious hands. Let the concerned political office holders understand that the entire citizenry has become used to these reoccurring cock and bull stories being witnessed on a daily basis.

If I may ask, what is actually wrong with our psyche; are we under a kind of spell or something? If yes, then let’s go for thorough deliverance so that we would be totally free from this social and economic mayhem.



But frankly speaking brethren, if properly checked, we will discover that in the midst of several smiles lies a deceit. Truly, there are dangers in men’s smile. Think about it!





COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Social analyst & activist

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