Q: Can you introduce yourself and explain your background in the Kogi State civil service?
My name is Shaibu Muhammed Eyigege. I am from Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
I joined the Kogi State civil service in 1987 with a Teachers Grade II Certificate. Along the line, I obtained my National Certificate in Education (NCE) in Agriculture and later a university degree in Agriculture. I rose through the ranks and became an Assistant Director on Grade Level 14 in the Ministry of Agriculture before my ordeal started.
Q: What exactly led to your removal from service?
During the administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello, there was a screening exercise for civil servants. The committee accused me of presenting a fake testimonial from the Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa. That allegation eventually led to my removal from service.
Q: Did the screening committee reject your other certificates too?
No. That is what pains me most.
The same committee screened all my certificates and accepted them. My Grade II Certificate, my NCE certificate and my university degree were all accepted without any issue. It was only the testimonial they used against me.
Q: Why do you believe the decision was unfair?
A testimonial is not even a requirement for employment, promotion or screening in the civil service. It cannot be used for grading or promotion. So why should it suddenly become the reason to remove somebody from service after decades of work? That is the question I have continued to ask.
Q: Did you make efforts to clear your name?
Yes, I did. After several petitions and appeals, the College of Education, Ankpa later confirmed that the testimonial was genuine and was actually issued by the institution. Despite that clarification, nothing was done to reinstate me.
Q: Have you received any official disengagement letter from the government?
No. I was never formally disengaged from service. The only official communication I received was a letter directing me to retire. Since then, I have not been paid my salary arrears, gratuity or pension.
Q: You were expected to retire in 2022. Have you been placed on pension since then?
No, I have not been enrolled on pension till today, despite attaining retirement age years ago. I have written several letters to the Office of the Head of Service and the Civil Service Commission, but nothing has happened.
Q: How has this situation affected your personal life and family?
It has destroyed my life completely.
I have two wives, 14 children and many dependants. Since I lost my job, life has become unbearable for my family. I can no longer feed them properly or pay school fees. All my children had to drop out of school because I could not continue their education.
We are dying installmentally. That is the truth.
Q: Emotionally and mentally, how have you coped with the situation over the years?
It has been very painful. At some point, I became depressed and even thought about taking my own life because the suffering became unbearable. But as a Muslim, suicide is a sin, so I abandoned the thought.
Honestly, I know my time is close, very near. So why should I take my life? I will wait for God’s appointed time.
Q: Has the stress affected your health?
Yes. I am now hypertensive because of excessive thinking and stress. I am permanently on blood pressure medication. The uncertainty and hardship have seriously affected my health.
Q: What is your appeal to the Kogi State Government?
My appeal is simple. Government should reconsider my case, pay my salary arrears, gratuity and place me on pension so that I can survive the rest of my life in peace after serving the state for decades.
Q: Have government officials responded to your recent appeals?
No response yet. I have continued to write letters and make appeals, but nothing has happened so far.
