In a poignant tale of hardship, Sunday Ogwo Okpalle, a retired Two-Star Traffic Warden police officer, finds himself reduced to begging for survival due to delayed pension payments and the challenges of supporting his family. Okpalle, who served in the Nigeria Police Force for 35 years, speaks to Arewa PUNCH about the difficulties he faces in making ends meet after retirement.
Despite his robust stature during his active service, Okpalle now stands slightly bent, embodying the toll of aging and the absence of his regular routine as a law enforcement officer. Approaching commuters at 7 a.m., Okpalle pleads for assistance, revealing that he has not eaten since the night before.
The retired officer, now known as Okpella, shares his story, stating that he resorted to begging as the cost of living soared, and his meager pension, received irregularly, became insufficient. Despite his 35 years of service and pension increase to N31,000, Okpella faces financial constraints, making it challenging to provide for his family.
Okpella recounts the delay in receiving his retirement entitlement, waiting for over a year without payment after his 2018 retirement. When the funds finally arrived, debts and essential expenses consumed a significant portion. His monthly pension, initially N30,000, recently increased by only N1,000.
The retired officer’s plea for government intervention echoes the struggles of many retirees facing financial hardships. Okpella expresses a desire for his unpaid entitlements to be settled promptly, allowing him to find alternative means of sustaining himself and his family.
As Okpella roams the streets seeking assistance, his story highlights the plight of retired public servants grappling with delayed pensions and financial uncertainties, underscoring the need for improved pension processes and support systems.
