There have always been concerns about how pensioners are treated like begers in Nigeria. In fact, it is a situation that calls for urgent intervention by law or implementation.
On Monday, people were again startled by a mild drama in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
It all began when three pensioners collapsed while participating in the ongoing forensic audit of active and passive government workers.
The senior citizens had arrived early at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, the venue of the exercise.
Patiently, they waited for the exercise to take-off.
It was on commencement that the incident occurred.
The Wait
The three elderly persons collapsed at about 12.45 p.m. while waiting for the arrival of the audit team to commence the exercise. You know the African time thing with Nigerians, right?
It took the intervention of the health workers of the State Ambulance Service to revive and stabilise the victims.
Meanwhile, others, who could not withstand the rigours of standing for long, were seen lying down on the floor while others sat under trees located outside the complex.
NUP Reacts
When contacted, the State Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Dele Aina, said he had been briefed on the incident.
Also Read: Pension Assets Hit ₦16.76trn In Nigeria
At the time, he said he was on his way to the location to assess the situation. He believes being present would enable him to ensure that everyone is adequately taken care of.
Meanwhile, the NUP had previously urged the state government to decentralise the exercise to make it easier for its members to access.
But that has not been the case.
The staff audit was earlier suspended for weeks by the state House of Assembly over the inhuman treatment meted out to the civil servants by the consultant.
However, the suspension was lifted after she promised to adjust the observed lapses.
