By Lizzy Olaoluwa
Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in Oyo State Government has released the sum of N1.5 billion to 537 pensioners in the state.
The pensioners comprise retirees of Primary School Service and Local Government Staff across 33 Local Government areas of the state as part of the last phase of the year 2022 payment.
Chairman of the Local Government Staff Pension Board, Prince Abdulfatai Adeyemi, praised Governor Makinde for improving the welfare of all pensioners in the state. He described the gesture as highly commendable and worthy of emulation by other governors in the country.
Adeyemi said the present administration met unbelievable unpaid arrears of gratuity of a sum of over N40 Billion.
“As of today, the Government of Seyi Makinde has paid over a sum of N14 billion out of this amount. This is commendable and assuring, considering the various global disasters: Covid 19 pandemic, dwindling oil revenue, climate change and all sorts of economic difficulties witnessed by this Administration since coming to power. Despite all these, the Government is still able to put smiles on the faces of our people.
“I am glad to inform you that today’s exercise is going to gulp a sum of One Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira (N1.5 Billion) to be disbursed to beneficiaries ranging from Alive Retirees of Primary School Service, Local Government, those with serious Health Challenges and the next of kins of the deceased pensioners.
“We commend the gesture and honesty of purpose of our dear Executive Governor on this and many other welfare services to our Aged retirees.
“In addition, those that retired from May 2019 to date are already captured in this exercise. We are more than determined to serve you more,” Adeyemi said.
The chairman also noted that the Oyo State Government paid a sum of N10,000 to all pensioners in the state to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their families.
Also, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Lukman Muraina, spoke on the achievement of the Makinde-led administration. He said the present administration met an inherited debt of arrears of gratuity and other retirement benefits of over N42 million when it assumed office on 29th May 2019.
“To date, the administration of Gov. Seyi Makinde has to the glory of God been able to achieve much which has changed the lives of our dear pensioners for the better.
“Regular payroll of the newly retired staff, both retired Primary School Teachers and retired Local Government staff. This has removed the suffering that the pensioners used to experience when they have to wait for a year before being payrolled.
“Regular release of over N1 billion every four months to pay Gratuity and Death Benefits to the deceased’s next-of-kin.
“Re-Computation of pensioners benefit: All the pensioners due for promotion before their exit from the service were considered for promotion and the corresponding increment on their pension was done. This increases their monthly pension, improves their well-being and adds more value to their standard of living.
“Regular provision of free health services to pensioners during the payment of gratuity period. This gives the pensioners ample opportunity to know their health status and obtain the needed information on how to remain healthy,” Muraina said.
In his goodwill message, the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Segun Abatan, charged pensioners to spend their money wisely, and not be fooled by fraudsters.
He urged them not to venture into any business they do not know but to get trained before investing their money into such ventures.
