Adamu Shekal, a 66-year-old resident of Jamda community in Liman Katagum, Bauchi State, is going through hurdles with 20 family members he looks after amid denied entitlements and pension arrears by Bauchi State Government.
The sexagenarian told WikkiTimes he served the state government for 28 years under the Ministry of Works, Bauchi Local Government Area. At the time, he was working with Micro Finance Bank.
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In his post-service years, Shekal hoped to relax and enjoy the little entitlements he had earned during his active service with the state. But otherwise is the case, the old man laments.
After his retirement, Shekal ventured into grocery business. He would later purchase a Jingcheng model motorcycle to ease his business. This was after waiting for his pension.
As years passed on, the ex-civil servant began to believe that post-service life in Bauchi is a mess and counterproductive.
THE ONLY TIMES HE WAS PAID
In 2019, Shekal was paid his entitlements for only four months. “They paid me from January to April,” he recalled.
He anticipated his pension in May but it never came. That was when things started getting out of hand for him and his family.
Shekal who is also suffering leg turmoil said he could not bear the hardship.
“I was really disturbed, I have 20 family members. Imagine how much I spend a day and because of my leg, I can’t go to the farm,” he decried.
It has been 20 months since Shekal has been anticipating his entitlement. He recalled a time when the government asked pensioners to fill a form at their banks.
“They are still owing me 20 months arrears,” Shekal told WikkiTimes. “Last year, we were asked to go to our banks to fill some forms. It was just a deception. Nothing, nothing I am telling you.”
In January, last year, Shekal was reinstated on payroll, leaving his arrears unsettled.
According to him, he had to sell his motorcycle to settle some debts. Shekal has since become a sedentary grocer.
“I can’t go anywhere because of mobility issues. I manage here at home,” he said.
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Shekal blamed the Bauchi State Government for his torments, explaining that there are other ex-workers suffering similar predicaments.
However, he pleaded with the authorities responsible to settle the arrears of ex-workers who served the state and transformed it into its present status. According to, many retirees regret ever serving the state.
As of January 2022, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Bauchi State said the state government was owing retirees over N20 billion in gratuities.
Ten months later, Alhaji Yahuza Haruna, the Bauchi State Head of Civil Service, claimed that the state government has been paying pensions and salaries “as at when due.”
Mukhtar Gidado, media aide to Governor Bala Mohammed could not be reached for comment. He did not respond to calls and a text sent to him.
