Late Alhaji Mahmud Shaba, once an Area Manager for Nigeria Airways, New York City, USA
The continued denial of our senior citizens who retired from Nigeria Airways and those retired due to the company’s liquidation has cost the life of another elder statesman, Alhaji Mahmud Shaba.
Alhaji Shaba, an octogenarian, died during the week and was buried according to the Islamic rites.
The fact is incontrovertible that over seventy-five percent (75%) of about six hundred (600) retirees that have died since the past twenty-three years that the company was shut down, might not have died if their entitlements had been paid in lump sum at the due time, which should not be more than five years after lay-off, as stipulated in the labour laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Payment Delay Tantamounts to Rights Denial, Reinforces Greed Among Younger Generation
Alhaji Mahmud Shaba, at the twilight of his life, battled health challenges caused by old age. Friends, as expected, rallied support but from their very weak financial standing. Remember their shoes were pinching them all right at the same spot. Their various severance entitlements withheld by the government limited the support they could offer their bosom friend of over 60 years.
However, the children rose stoutly and provided finances for all the medical bills of their father. Yet, the aged man’s financial entitlement was still with the government.
Glimpse of Alhaji Mahmud Shaba’s Integrity While in Service
It’s on record that Alhaji Mahmud Shaba led the team that established the New York City, NYC, office for the Nigeria Airways operations in the United States, US, early in 19978.
An eyewitness account revealed that the majority of the preliminary work to make the Lagos-US direct flight a reality was carried out, mostly with cash transactions. He superintended over the office acquisition and the other paraphernalia to make the office comfortable for the sales team, both flight and cabin crew and most especially for travellers.
However, on the 5th of May 1978, the airline inaugurated its own direct flight services to New York and established a strong, long-term operational presence in the US.
Imagine someone who handled that enormous transactions and was handed the cash and he discharged his assignments faithfully but, in his later years, was subjected to penury, neglect, want and poor health care. No health insurance even for those government is withholding their money in these economic recession where naira continues to tumble against major currencies of the world.
Juxtaposing the depravity the nonagenarian was exposed to at the twilight his life. Someone who gave his best in public service but was denied the payment of his statutory gratuity and pension is no doubt an agonizing experience.
What a reward for diligent service. The benefits from his toil expended at the prime of his life is locked up in government vault while the life whose living index needed be improved was allowed to wallow in regret and denial and death crept in.
The younger ones now being engaged in public service are now witnessing these sordid developments. They now see the sad end of integrity keepers. Where is the object lesson and moral justification to live up to the letters and the spirit of the newly rebranded national anthem? May the labour of our heroes past not be in vain!!!???
What is the object lesson from this protracted delay? What will the delay teach, in respect of doing what is just? Concerning delay gratification when discharging public service? In this present age, you don’t teach these GEN Z through sermons. They observe and learn.
It is strongly hoped that 365-days circle will not roll by without actualising the directive of Mr. President that the Finance Ministry should pay the outstanding gratuities of Nigeria Airways retirees who are mostly the nation’s bona fide senior citizens.
They deserve better treatment.
About Post Author
