Tinubu unveils free healthcare for pensioners

As PenCom insists on June 2027 recapitalisation deadline … No pensioner will be abandoned — Oloworaran By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has unveiled PenCare, a national healthcare initiative designed to provide free medical services to pensioners, beginning with low-income retirees. Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the opening of the National Pension Week in Abuja on Thursday, said the initiative formed part of his administration’s welfare package for senior citizens. PenCare is designed as a national retiree well-being programme aimed at improving access to essential healthcare, particularly for pensioners with limited financial resources.

In his address, themed “Pensions for All: Building a Secure Future Together,” the President said a strong pension system was both a social protection necessity and a pillar of economic transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He said the pension system could also mobilise long-term domestic savings, deepen financial markets and support productive investments. Tinubu described pensions as an obligation to workers who had served the country, rather than a favour from the government. “A pension is not a favour granted by Government. It is a wage earned, deferred and held in trust. It is a promise. And this Administration has resolved that the promise will be kept,” he said. He added that the success of the pension system should be measured by the security and dignity it provided retirees, rather than the volume of funds accumulated. “Above all, no Nigerian who has served this nation will be forgotten in retirement. Nigeria will keep faith with those who kept faith with Nigeria,” he said. The President said his administration had…