289 pensioners get N915m in gratuities from Ekiti

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji,on Monday, has presented cheques worth N915m in gratuities to 289 state, local government and primary school retirees in the state.

At the event which held  at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, Oyebanji said the payment of the gratuity was in fulfilment of his campaign promise of shared prosperity, adding that his administration would continue to ensure that pensioners enjoy a worthy life after their meritorious service to the state.

Oyebanji said he was committed to ending the regime of endless wait in the payment of gratuities, adding that since the inception of his administration in October 2022, over N1.2bn had been paid as gratuity to both the state and local government retirees while payment of monthly pensions had been regular.

He said, “Today’s event is an actualisation of one of my electioneering promises to our people. As I had promised you, I am committed to all programmes and policies that will enhance the quality of life, especially our pensioners who had spent their youthful age in the service of our dear state.  Without any doubt, today’s event is another fulfilment our promise to make life worth living for our pensioners and commitment to our shared prosperity agenda.

“As elders and critical stakeholders who occupy strategic position in the scheme of things, our government is living no stone unturned to ensure that you all live a quality and happy life at retirement. I am aware of the many odds and challenges confronting retirees as a result of the regrettable delay in accessing your gratuity as and when due.

“I am therefore committed to ensuring that the welfare of our retirees continues to be of topmost priority. We are also irrevocably committed to ending the regime of endless wait in the payment of gratuity by our senior citizens. This is a priority for us and we will continue to explore innovative ways to support you in your retirement.” 

The event was also attended by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; members of the State Executive Council; the Head of Service, Bamidele Agbede, and Labour leaders.

Earlier, the Head of Service thanked the governor for working his talk and for fulfilling his electioneering promise to the retirees.

The Head of Service said the Governor had continually demonstrated a genuineness of purpose and willingness of heart to restore dignity to the class of the elder citizens who sacrificed their active years contributing to the growth and development of the state.

In their goodwill messages, the state Chairmen of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Joel Akinola; Nigeria Labour Congress, Kolapo Olatunde; Trade Union Congress, Sola Adigun, and Joint Negotiating Council, Femi Ajoloko, commended  governor for making welfare of workers in the state a top priority in his agenda.

1. Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Beatrice Ogunjemilua and Mr Alonge Michael Alabi thanked the governor for fulfilling the promises he made to pensioners during his campaign.