Anniversary: EBSU Retirees Protest Non-payment of Gratuities Since 30 Years of Ebonyi creation
Onyeka Nnabu
No fewer than 216 retired staff of the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki have protested the non-payment of pensions and gratuities since 30 years creation of the state.
Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, the Chairman of the EBSU Retirees Association, Elder Emeka Ugwuoke lamented that most Retirees have died out of hunger and depression over non payment of their entitlement like their colleagues in other state, in line with their conditions of service.
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“We are almost dying off. Many of us have died due to hardship, while others are bedridden or unable to meet their basic needs,” Ugoke said.
Ugoke also said he had personally raised the issue with Gov. Francis Nwifuru, adding that the governor told him that the university’s vice chancellor and pro-chancellor were responsible for the institution’s finances.
He said the association comprised both retired academic and non-academic staff of EBSU.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, has donated N7 million to support retired staff of Ebonyi State University (EBSU) who are seeking payment of their pension and gratuity.
The publicity Secretary of the PDP in Ebonyi, disclosed this in Abakaliki.
Onwe said the donation followed a video circulating on social media in which some EBSU retirees appealed to the state government and members of the public for assistance over alleged non-payment of their pension and gratuity.
He said the party, through the organized retirees’ body led by Mr. Emeka Ugoke, had accredited 216 retirees and collected their account details.
Odii instructed that each of the accredited retirees receive N100,000 as immediate support.
“The governorship candidate of our party considers the situation highly shameful and a failure of leadership, especially for people who devoted their productive years to developing the knowledge economy of the state.
“As a humanist concerned about the welfare and well-being of the people, the candidate has directed that the 216 accredited retirees be given N100,000 each as support,” Onwe said.
He, however, noted that the figure of 216 was not the complete number of EBSU retirees, saying available information suggested that the number could be close to 400 or more.
Onwe also appealed to the Ebonyi Government and the university authorities to urgently address the retirees’ concerns.
He said the gesture was intended as humanitarian support and not as a political campaign.
“The support was not designed to score political gains or generate political goodwill. We call on the state government and the university authorities to look into the situation because people are suffering,” he said.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 1st, 2026
