From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The chairman of the Lokoja Local Government Brach of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Kogi state, Comrade Umar Adoga has called on the state government to ensure immediate placement of retired teachers on pension without much delay.
The NUT Boss who made the call while speaking at the Send Forth ceremony organized for the 2017 and 2018 Retired Basic Education Teachers of Lokoja Local Government over the weekend, stressed the need for government to give priority attention on the early placement of retired teachers on pension to reduce their sufferings.
Adoga also pleaded with the state government to include their retired colleagues on its empowerment programme capable of enhancing their living standard throughout their retirement life and to release funds for the payment of outstanding salaries of cleared teachers and pensioners to ameliorate the untold hardship they are passing through.
The NUT Chairman further solicited government approval of contract appointments for retired efficient teachers as well as employment of fresh teachers to address the acute shortfalls of staff strength facing the sector.
The Send Forth Ceremony which was put in place by the Lokoja Local Government Education Authority according to the NUT Chairman is aimed at “Appreciating and Celebrating our distinguished professional colleagues even beyond active service years”
Adoga who expressed concern over the problem of percentage salary payment to primary school teachers and local government staff in the state, called on the state government to look into the issue with a view to harmonizing the payment to 100 per cent as being enjoyed by their counterparts with the core civil service.
