Association of Retired Principals of Secondary Schools of Nigeria (ARPSSON) Lagos chapter has called on the government to speed up the payment of their pension and gratuities.
It’s Coordinator, Mr Kola Sodeinde, made the appeal at the launch of the association at the Teachers Resource Centre, Ikorodu.
He said the delay was affecting many of their members who depend on the pension.
He said: “We are appealing to our amiable Lagos State governor (Akinwunmi Ambode), that the payment should be speed up. It is inhuman to delay the pension and gratuity for up to three years and above. This has dehumanised many retirees.
“We also appeal for upward review of the pension of retirees that are on old pension scheme as the stipend paid is not in tandem with the economic reality of the moment.”
Sodeinde lamented that the society renders no help to the aged among them irrespective of their contribution to development of the country during their service years. To this end, he beseeched the government to view them as still capable.
“Though we are retired teachers and principals, we are not tired. We have a lot of experiences that the authorities should not allow to go into oblivion. We are always ready to contribute from wealth of experiences to raise the standard of education at the secondary school level.”
He thanked the government for its efforts, and urge the authority to assist ARPSSON with a utility vehicle.
The launch was also a moment of reunion as members exchanged pleasantries, took photographs and dined.
Sodiende noted that need to promote the socio-economic welfare of retired principals, foster unity among them and provide volunteer services to the community, was a necessity conceived in 2014.
Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs Idiat Adebule, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Teachers Establishment and Pension Office Mrs Samiat Adeleye, commended ARPSSON and its eagerness to enhance education.
She urged them to be focused on the mission and vision of the association by “doing your best to be educators, life coaches, counsellors and lend your experiences to enrich the knowledge of the upcoming teachers, serving principals and school administrators”.
She added that the government would continue to support them to achieve their aims.
The guest speaker Prof Mopeola Omeogun of the University of Lagos, advised them to enjoy the most of their retired years, stay happy and live a healthy life. She also advised them to spend money wisely.