By Solomon Edoro
Perhaps some would say that for years before the release of the 10 billion Naira, previous governments had been lukewarm or completely silent on the issue of gratuity payment, and now that the current administration has taken steps towards addressing the matter, complaints have emerged. While such sentiments may hold some merit, the real issue is not just about action versus inaction, but the inconsistency between words and actions, a theme that resonates deeply with the plight of Cross River State retirees.
The issue of matching words with actions is a timeless problem that cuts across various sectors, and it is currently reflected in the unfulfilled promises made to Cross River State retirees. These individuals, who dedicated their lives to serving the state, continue to suffer due to the non-payment of their gratuities. When those entrusted with their welfare fail to act, to whom will they run to? To whom can they turn when the promises made are not followed by the required actions?
Months ago, it was reported that 10 billion Naira had been released to settle gratuities for retirees from 2012 to 2015. The verification process was completed, and it was publicly announced that payments would be made within 48 hours. Yet weeks and months have passed, and retirees remain in despair, questioning why the promised funds have not been disbursed.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau once stated, “The strongest is never strong enough to be always the master, unless he transforms strength into right, and obedience into duty.” In Cross River State, the social contract between the government and its people appears broken. The state’s retirees, who should be enjoying their well-deserved rest, are left grappling with financial hardships and uncertainty. The failure to match words with actions in this instance is not just a political oversight but a profound breach of trust.
Abraham Lincoln once observed, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” Retirees, who have waited patiently for their gratuities, now feel deceived by empty promises. This disconnect between what was promised and what has been delivered only serves to deepen their sense of betrayal.
The delay in payment raises several pressing questions: Why is it taking so long to fulfill a promise that was meant to bring relief? Why hasn’t the government prioritized these retirees, whose livelihoods depend on these funds? As Mahatma Gandhi aptly put it, “Action expresses priorities.” The fact that retirees are still waiting, despite assurances, suggests that their welfare is not a priority for the current administration.
Chinua Achebe pointed out that “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” This sentiment rings true in the case of Cross River State retirees, who are being subjected to a system that appears indifferent to their plight. The delay, despite the release of funds, highlights inefficiencies and a lack of empathy in governance.
The retirees, who served the state with dedication, are now left pleading for what is rightfully theirs. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The non-payment of gratuities is not just an administrative failure but a moral injustice. It speaks to a broader issue of leadership failing to act in the best interest of its most vulnerable citizens.
So, to the question of whom will they run to? They have submitted to the specific instructions as directed by the government through the verification committee namely rigorous/ laborious verification exercise and waited with hope, but that hope is slowly turning into despair. Thomas Paine noted that “The duty of a true patriot is to protect his country from its government.” Yet, these retirees have no power to protect themselves from the same government that once vowed to take care of them.
As Nelson Mandela once said, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children and its elderly.” The current state of Cross River’s retirees reflects a society that has forgotten its elderly, allowing them to suffer in silence as they wait for the gratuities they earned.
Confucius wisely stated, “The superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.” Unfortunately, in Cross River State, the government’s words have not been supported by the necessary actions. The lack of decisive action on this issue is not just a matter of bureaucratic delay—it speaks to a deeper failure to uphold the principles of justice and fairness.
The result of this failure is devastating for the retirees, who are left in financial limbo. As Aristotle once said, “Man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all.” The retirees’ continued suffering reflects a system that has strayed far from the ideals of justice.
Fundamentally, the question, “To whom will they run to?” is not just a rhetorical one. It is a call for action. While we commend the current administration for its commitment to a “people first” mantra, it is essential that the Governor prioritizes the fulfillment of promises regarding pension payments, bringing this matter to the forefront for the glory of God Almighty. The government of Cross River State must rise to the occasion, fulfill its promises to retirees, and restore the broken trust. Words must be matched with actions, and justice must be served, not in speeches or promises, but in the concrete disbursement of the long-overdue gratuities.
