“Don’t Forget Pensioners”: Apostle Femi Lazarus Pleads with FG in Stirring Sermon
On a powerful Sunday service that resonated far beyond church walls, Apostle Femi Lazarus delivered a heartfelt sermon urging the Nigerian federal government to extend the same compassion shown to gifted women footballers to the nation’s elderly pensioners.
His plea came at a time when retirees—many of whom are battling hunger, poor healthcare, and unpaid pension arrears—feel forgotten and unsupported despite years of loyal public service.
Apostle Lazarus drew a striking contrast:
“We celebrated our gifted female footballers, showering them with praise and rewards. Yet, our pensioners—whose contributions built this nation—are languishing in hardship.”
He spotlighted the alarming stories of retirees who endure hunger and illness while waiting for government payments, while athletes receive national recognition and support.
Why This Matters: The Reality for Pensioners
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Treasury Bond Delay: Pensioners are still awaiting the implementation of the ₦758 billion Treasury Bond intended to clear decades-long pension arrears under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) Nairametrics. Many retirees died while hoping for their due benefits.
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Unbearable Hardship: In the Federal Capital Territory, retirees lament being unable to feed or afford medical care—some warned, “Even my neighbor died waiting for the money because we are too old to be on the streets.” Vanguard News
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Federal Promises in Limbo: While the government has pledged dignity and reforms—like free healthcare, pension increase, and wage guarantees—in practice, implementation remains slow Naija NewsVanguard News.
What Apostle Lazarus Called For
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Urgent Action: He urged the federal government to fast-track payment of arrears and roll out promised benefits while pensioners are still alive.
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Equal Valuation: To treat retirees with the same honor and attentiveness bestowed on athletes who represent Nigeria today.
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Moral Leadership: As public servants who helped build the nation, pensioners deserve dignity, care, and recognition—regardless of their visibility.
Apostle Lazarus’s sermon struck a chord—faithful citizens listening to a trusted voice who highlighted the quiet desperation of a generation. For many entitled to retirement relief, this isn’t politics; this is a plea to their humanity. And as calls grow louder, the scale of faith-driven advocacy shows how deeply communities value their elders.
Revelationmusik Verdict: Apostle Femi Lazarus’s sermon was not just a call to government—it was a call to conscience. It’s time we honored the legacy of our pensioners with the same courage and visibility we offer our champions on the field.
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