Governor Uzodinma Signs Bill Extending Teachers Retirement Age to 65

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State on Wednesday approved a bill on a new retirement age of 65 or 40 for teachers in the state employ.

The retirement age for teachers before now was either 35 years of service or 60 years of age

After signing the bill into law, Governor Uzodimma stated that the new law is designed to motivate teachers in the state’s public schools.

“Having given the teachers an extra five years, they are expected to bring out their time and work harder to give Imo children the best form of teaching and learning and graduate them as the best in Nigeria,” he said.

He described the gesture as “value addition” and challenged the teachers to show more commitment and seriousness to their job.

Uzodimma congratulated them, adding that the “law is to encourage teachers to have a sense of work security and be more effective and efficient in their duties”.

In an earlier statement, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Chike Olemgbe, noted that the Executive Bill was submitted to the House and received approval after the Third Reading on November 16.

Olemgbe expressed delight that the bill, titled “the Bill to Domesticate and Harmonise the Retirement Age of Teachers in Imo State,” held the distinction of being the inaugural bill passed by the 10th Assembly.

Olemgbe praised the governor for demonstrating care for the welfare of the citizens. He also acknowledged the well-thought nature of the bill, deeming its passage and signing into law as a “historical” event.

Kanyi Daily recalls that  Hope Uzodinma of Imo State had allocated N185 million to more than eleven families of security officers affected by an assault from unidentified gunmen in the Umualumaku community, Ehime Mbano Council area.