The Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the South-West has urged governors in the region to urgently confront the mounting challenges facing their people, particularly pensioners.
The group also called on the governors to address unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, infrastructural decay, and other pressing issues to restore public trust in governance.
Speaking at the association’s Annual General Meeting in Akure, Ondo State, President, Mrs. Grace Ajayi, decried the growing hardship and warned that public faith in governance was steadily eroding.
Read Also: Southwest manufacturers urge FG to enforce ‘Nigeria First Policy’
“Amid diminishing opportunities for retirees, the welfare of pensioners must be urgently addressed. Many retirees struggle with economic hardship. We demand prompt payment of entitlements, harmonisation of pension benefits, and, indeed, a systemic reform of the pension regime.
“We appeal to all South-West governors to rejig the civil service, traditionally considered the engine room of governance, by eliminating dysfunctionality and restoring efficiency to meet the people’s needs,” she said.
Mrs Ajayi further stressed the need for regional collaboration, noting that the success of the South-West Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, had shown what unity could achieve.
According to her, the same model should be replicated in tackling challenges in transportation, education, healthcare, infrastructure development, food security, unemployment, and youth restiveness.
“Our association stands ready to support these initiatives,” she added.
Declaring the meeting open, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa described the association as a noble and credible body that has made significant contributions to development in the South-West.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Segun Omojuwa, the governor lauded the group for its continued relevance and input in governance.
“Your members have undoubtedly played key roles in shaping government policies and programmes. You have offered your wealth of experience and institutional capacity to positively influence policy formulation and transformative development across the South-West.
“I congratulate the leadership and members of this noble association for remaining vibrant after disengagement from active public service. Even though you have retired, you are not tired,” Aiyedatiwa said.