-As Association Holds Epoch-Making End of Year Party
Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Imo state has applauded the governor of the state, distinguished senator Hope Uzodinma for commencing payment of gratuity of Retired civil servants in the state.
This commendation was made on 4th of December, during the end of year party of the association at the Senior Citizens House in Owerri.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Association, Sir Okey Anyanwu expressed gratitude to God on behalf of members of the association, recounting the challenges, triumphs and successes recorded by the association in the year 2024.
He applauded governor Uzodinma for his magnimity in clearing the gratuities of their members, stressing that almost all retired permanent secretaries have received their gratuities, remaining a few who have issues with their banks and undergoing verifications at the moment.
The Permanent Secretaries took turns to pour encomiums on governor Uzodinma for his courage in addressing the gratuity issue which they said have been a major challenge of the retirees for many years.
Chief Onyekachi Anozie, Chairman, Owerri North and South Staff Welfare of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) who represented the NUP Chairman, Dr. J. P Ugochukwu stated thus “Imo Permanent Secretaries have fully received their gratuities and members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners have started receiving since the 28th of November. There have been alerts left, right and center. Governor Uzodinma promised to pay in batches and that is what he is doing. The pensioners that are currently receiving their gratuities are those whose pensions are below three million naira, others in other categories will receive after this batch. I have not received my gratituity but I have no doubt that I will receive. This is a gratituity that has not been paid since 2006. Governor Hope Uzodinma is doing what his predecessors could not do for many year.
“We thank Governor Uzodinma for the courage in doing the needful when so many administrations have passed by without looking into it. The governor promised to give Christmas palliatives to retirees, we are expectant. He has been doing this since 2023, we are hopeful that he will we keep to his words.”
Barr. Austin Otuokere extolled Governor Uzodinma for clearing outstanding gratuities after many dimensional battles have been fought by the association and urged the governor to reform the Imo civil service for efficient service delivery and optimal result. He tasked members of the association to take the lead in building the rights and welfare of the public service, adding that Imo Labour Congress has to be rebuilt, having lost its capacity and lying comatose for years.
Barr. Otuokere appreciated the efforts of the members in ensuring the sustainability of their various programs and assured them that the association will become more intellectual, more engaging, more interactive and proactive as they contribute their quota in rebuilding the public sector, leveraging on their wealth of experiences, expertise and versatility.
Chief Chima Mmeregini said
“We are grateful to Governor Hope Uzodinma for solving a problem that has lingered for 20 years. We shall express our gratitude to him because he has extended the lives of retirees by clearing the gratuities. I have not received but I’m not bothered because I know that all of us will receive. We have been told what to do to receive our own.”
The event climaxed during the investiture of a new patron of the association, Sir Israel Ekezie, a nonagenarian who was the former Principal Secretary and Chief of Staff to former governor, Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe. He was given an award of honour in recognition of his remarkable inputs to the growth and development of the association.
Responding, Sir Israel Ekezie who was flanked by his children and friends, immensely thanked his colleagues for finding him worthy of such honorary award.
He noted that he has received many awards during his service year, but the award by his colleagues stands out as a reminder of the efforts he and his counterparts put in the Imo State civil service.
According to him, the event has taken him down memory lane and made him reminisce over how the association started with many struggles and challenges faced by the pioneers.
He described members of the association as great blessings and indispensable assets to the state and enjoined them not to get tired in rendering services to Imo state even as retired public servants.
The epoch-making event ended with the retired permanent secretaries singing, dancing and appreciating God for another opportunity to meet, greet and make merry against all odds.
