Members of Concerned Abia Pensioners convened in gratitude, hosting a thanksgiving ceremony to express appreciation for answered prayers and Governor Alex Otti’s action in clearing the backlog of pensions owed by past administrations in Abia State.
Addressing attendees during the service held at The Apostolic Church Nigeria on Awolowo Street, Umuahia, Elder John Kalu, the chairman of Concerned Abia Pensioners, recounted years of enduring unpaid pensions.
He highlighted the group’s efforts in seeking divine intervention through visits to numerous churches and correspondence with religious institutions, soliciting prayers during their plight.
Elder Kalu emphasized the significance of returning to one of the churches that had fervently prayed for them during their hardships to extend gratitude to the divine
At 85 years old, Elder Kalu expressed profound gratitude to Governor Alex Otti for honoring his campaign pledge to settle the pension arrears owed by past administrations in Abia State.
He said, “We had a very big problem. Our problem was that they did not pay us our pensions, our members were dying in thousands, because of illness and no money to go to hospital, no money to eat. We started to pray, we were fasting and praying. We went to churches for them to help us in prayers; The Apostolic Church was one of the churches we went to.
“So, this time, the governor has given us what we wanted. He has paid us the arrears of pensions, which the other governments didn’t pay us, which we were crying for; he has paid it to us. We are grateful. That is why we said we should go back to The Apostolic Church to tell them that God has done what we requested for.
“Right from the time Otti was campaigning; he came to the Abia State Pensioners. He told us that if we vote him, he will pay our arrears and he will be paying us monthly. So, he did it, that’s why we are saying that we are grateful to him.”
Assistant Secretaries of Concerned Abia Pensioners, Mr. Okechukwu Ehisianya and Mrs. Mercy Ogbonna, shared their harrowing experiences, recounting the hardships endured by members, including the loss of lives and deteriorating health conditions, prior to Governor Otti’s intervention. They expressed heartfelt gratitude to the governor for bringing relief and joy to their lives.
They emphasized that the governor’s action in settling the pension arrears has revitalized the pensioners, breathing new life into their existence. They offered prayers for Governor Otti’s continued success in leading Abia State towards prosperity and blessings from above.
Apostle Bernard Ugbor, pastor-in-charge and Area Superintendent of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Umuahia Area, warmly welcomed the pensioners’ gesture of gratitude towards God. He lauded Governor Otti for prioritizing the welfare of senior citizens, applauding his leadership qualities and commitment to the community.
He said, “I thank God for the kind gesture of our dynamic governor for remembering these retirees. Thank God for the pension arrears that he has cleared and we pray that he would do more. To have this set of people in mind is an indication that the governor is a God-fearing leader. God will bless him and will continue to bless him. I know his government is going to be the best by God’s grace.
“These pensioners did what happened in the scriptures, out of 10 lepers, one returned to give thanks to God for what He has done. That’s exactly what they have done, then Jesus said, because he came back to thank him, the other 9 didn’t come, he was not only healed but was made whole.
“I wish that God will make these pensioners to still live long and be able to get things they are supposed to get in this life before God would call them home.”
As a reminder, Governor Otti of Abia State has recently honored his campaign pledge by clearing all outstanding pension arrears owed to senior citizens in the state.
Furthermore, he has pledged that moving forward, retirees will receive their pensions on the same day as civil servants receive their monthly salaries.
