Hundreds of retirees last Thursday in Calabar, capital of Cross River State stormed the governor’s office gate, with placards and tried to force their way into the office to enable them see Governor Ben Ayade to express their displeasure over death of six colleagues whom they claimed died due to economic hardship in one week.
Unknown to the aggrieved retirees who were blocked by security personnel that the governor had been out of the state two weeks ago, to woo investors.
The protesters who were led by one former staff of Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC), Mr. Paul Idagu, stormed the gate of the governor’s office insisting to see the governor or the state deputy governor to address them on the issue.
Their placards read, “We have suffered enough; pay us our gratuity from 2014.” “Paris Club refunds are rare gift that must be used for the purpose meant for.” “Governor Ayade: Retirees in Cross River are entitled to longevity. Let us not die out of frustration,” among others.
Idagu, while addressing Journalists said, “we are here to let the governor know that we have buried about six of our fellow retirees in the last one week because government has not paid us our gratuities since 2014. Government must not wait until we all die before they pay us.”
The protesters’ spokesperson enumerated, retirees buried in the last one week without collecting their gratuities to include, Augustine Etta; Sylvia Edem Bocco; Naji Abang Naji; Sylvester Ibok and Vincent Eja who, the protesters claimed died a pathetic death.
He said, “We wish to inform you of one of us who just died and was buried last week, Mr. Vincent Eja who worked for Cross River State Government for thirty five years and retired as a director in Government Printing Press in 2014.
“Mr. Eja was caught by a strange disease called auto bacteria disease that rendered his two hands useless. He was referred to National Hospital, Abuja for treatment. He needed five hundred thousand naira only for the treatment, but unfortunately, for two years, he roamed the corridors of Governor’s office and Accountant General’s Office seeking for help even when his gratuity was due him. He died and was buried last week.”
The retirees urged the Governor Ben Ayade- led administration to maintain the chain and plan for payment of gratuity to 2014 and 2015 retirees and beyond.
The pensioners said, “the appeal has become very necessary as majority of retirees in the state fall within this range and group.”
“Many have died without this gratuity; many may still have to die without it if something is not done about it urgently. Please, Your Excellency, save our souls,” the retirees pleaded.

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar