{
  "id": 7841950,
  "title": "Imo pensioners seek God’s intervention over non-payment of arrears by state govt",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/imo-pensioners-seek-gods-intervention-over-non-payment-of-arrears-by",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T18:04:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/16/imo-pensioners-seek-gods-intervention-over-non-payment-of-arrears-by-state-govt/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Imo State Chapter, recently held a thanksgiving Mass at Maria Assumpta Cathedral in Owerri, seeking divine intervention for the state government's failure to pay their outstanding gratuities and pensions. Comrade Ike Ohaneje, Chairman of the Imo State Pension Intervention Committee, addressed journalists following the service, stating that pensioners have suffered greatly due to political manipulation by the government. Ohaneje emphasized that pensions are not part of the governor's Appropriation Bill and must be paid, regardless of the bill's approval. He highlighted that the Accountant General is responsible for pension payments, but irregularities have occurred, causing pension payments to fall short of entitlements. Ohaneje further criticized the adoption of contract staff to run the pension scheme during Rochas Okorocha's administration and the continuation of the same practice under Governor Hope Uzodinma. He emphasized that withholding pensioners' money is a crime against God and humanity and that gratuity is the first part of pensions paid to enable retirees to adjust to their new lives. Ohaneje regretted that many pensioners have not yet received their gratuity or arrears, which have accumulated up to 48 months. The PIC leader noted that instead of addressing the issues, the government has labeled pensioners as \"ghost pensioners,\" despite their names still being on record. The thanksgiving service served as an opportunity for pensioners to request the church's assistance, which the archdiocese has been in constant communication with the government on their behalf.",
  "summary": "The Nigeria Union of Pensioners,NUP, Imo State Chapter, has held a thanksgiving Mass at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, thanking God for keeping them alive while they wait for the state government to pay their outstanding gratuities and pensions. The pensioners also used the service to seek God’s intervention in their plights, asking Him to touch […] Imo pensioners seek God’s intervention over…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}