The Estu Nupe, Alahji Yahaya Abubakar, has stated that the embezzlement of pensioners’ money for whatever reason is an unfortunate and disheartening incident in Nigeria, and must be condemned in totality.
The royal father, who spoke at the presentation of cheques for the payment of gratuity and death benefits for local government pensioners yesterday at the UK Bello Art Theatre, Minna, said those who had given services to the nation should not be allowed to suffer.
He said that a situation where few individuals siphon pensioners’ fund was by every perspective, a terrible ill in the society.
“We are here as living witnesses to what is happening in the pension and gratuity sector of this country. It is very disheartening, sad and unfortunate that colossal amounts of money will be siphoned out of the pulse of government by very few individuals,” the Estu Nupe said.
Estu Abubakar noted that it was not right that people should put about 35 years in serving the nation, only to retire and would not be allowed to enjoy their benefit because some few individuals have siphoned the money.