Our attention has been drawn to a publication on the Vanguard Newspaper of Tuesday, January 24, 2017 page 1, titled ‘Outrage trails pension for ex-governors and deputies.’ Among other things, it stated the public reaction to the duplicity of former governors and other officers including those serving as ministers who are earning salaries from their present engagement and at the same time drawing pensions from their former employees, the state governments.
The vanguard joined the name of Sen. T. A. Orji as one of the 21 Governors enjoying this largess. Let it be known to all and sundry that Senator T.A. Orji is not drawing any of such funds from Abia State, knowing the full implications of such an act. As a man who went through the rungs of the civil service, from the Administrative Officer to the Permanent Secretary cadre, he is fully aware of the code guiding retirement of officers and so would not violate same.
It is an avowed code and the journalistic maxim that when in doubt one should not publish. This is still applicable and should be judiciously adhered to.
News men and media houses should investigate properly before publishing.
In the case above, the Vanguard is here advised to apologize for the huge embarrassment from the error and desist from such publications to avoid unnecessary legal actions applicable to such misleading information. The public at the same time is advised to disregard this unwholesome fallacy.
Signed: Eddie Onuzuruike
Media Adviser/ Legislative Aide