By Amos Aar
A RETIRED Permanent Secretary (Perm. Sec.), Dr. Hyacinth Kyaagba, has highlighted the growing hardships faced by retirees in Benue State and across the country.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday on the side-line of the public presentation of his new book, Tiv Oral Poetry, to mark his 70th birthday held at the College of Health Sciences, Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM), Dr Kyaagba said many retired workers are unable to remain active after service due to extremely poor pensions, failing health and heavy family responsibilities.
“I must be honest with my colleagues; retirement can be quite a problem. My senior colleagues retired and are taking less than N20,000 as pension. You cannot blame such people for being idle,” he said, recounting a case of an 80-year-old retiree whose monthly medication costs over N100,000.
He advised retirees who still enjoy good health to remain socially involved to avoid isolation. “If you stay in your house, you will vegetate,” he warned, adding that retired permanent secretaries in the state have formed an association to help members stay active, exchange experiences and provide mutual support.
Dr. Kyaagba, who completed his PhD at 69, said Tiv Oral Poetry emerged from years of academic pursuit he continued even while in public service. He said his lecturers consistently pushed him to publish the research, noting:
“There is actually no secret. I kept going back to school to read. They encouraged me not to leave the work the way it was,” he said.
Kyaagba announced that proceeds from the birthday and book launch would be used to establish a computer centre at Fr. Hunter Academy, Nyiman, and support a scholarship scheme for indigent pupils of St. Simon’s Primary School.
The Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse, commended the former permanent secretary for maintaining what he described as a life of discipline and quiet achievement. He said Kyaagba remained “intelligent yet humble” and described him as an “encyclopedia of knowledge,” recalling his record as a “super permanent secretary” who worked without fanfare.
The Tor Tiv also lamented the poor attendance at the event, noting that highly accomplished but non-political figures like Kyaagba often receive less public attention despite their contributions.
A book review by Prof. James Tsaaior assessed the 11-chapter work as a significant addition to scholarship on Tiv culture, saying it elevates Tiv oral compositions, previously preserved mainly in local settings, into global academic discourse.
Book presenter, Dr. Jeff Kuraun, said the work documents the contributions of ten Tiv poets whose performances were largely confined to community gatherings, adding that the book now gives their work wider visibility.
Other speakers included Dr. Sebastian Agbinda, chairman of the Central Planning Committee, who said the event was organised to recognise Kyaagba’s long service to Benue State; former BSU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charity Anya, who represented the chairman of the occasion; and guest speaker, Prof. Eugene Aliegba, who recommended that Dr. Kyaagba be hired as a part-time lecturer at the Moses Orshio Adasu University to prevent his expertise from going unused.
Prof. Aliegba identified poverty, distorted retirement ages and inadequate healthcare as major challenges facing retirees, stressing that aging “is not a curse,” and urging stronger support systems for the elderly.
Dr. Kyaagba retired from the Benue State public service in 2014 after 35 years, during which he served as Director of Information, General Manager of The Voice Newspaper, Chief Press Secretary to a Deputy Governor, Director of Research and Documentation, and Permanent Secretary in multiple ministries.
