The United Bank for Africa Plc Pensioners’ Welfare Association (UBA Pensioners) has decried economic hardship and old-age illnesses among retirees.

The association said this had resulted in the inability of its members to afford healthcare services, especially with the refusal of the bank management to review their pensions upward, despite countless engagements.

The leadership of the affected pensioners’ association, which is the bank’s Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensioners, said this in a joint statement by its National Chairman and General Secretary, Fidelis Fapohunda and Franklin Erinle.

The pensioners urged President Bola Tinubu, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), civil society organisations (CSOs), the United Nations (UN), human rights organisations (HROs) and well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid.

The statement reads: “Like other treasury-funded retirees in Nigeria, we are entitled to monthly pension, other entitlements and, most importantly, periodic pension increases. But it is so disheartening that the UBA management has continued to trample on our fundamental human rights, especially when it comes to periodic pension increments.

“We are being treated less like human beings by the management of UBA Plc. We urge the Nigerian Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and all the Federal Government agencies not to close their eyes and ears while UBA management continues to trample on our fundamental human rights.”

The statement also cited a recent letter by the leadership of the pensioners, dated: November 27, 2023, addressed to the bank’s Group Managing Director/CEO and copied the Executive Director, Mr. Alex Alozie, where they urged the bank to hearken to their plea.