In a display of profound regard for the senior citizens’ well-being, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State greenlit the release of N1.9 billion gratuity to 685 pensioners from the Local Government on Friday.
In August 2023, Abiodun instructed the Bureau of Local Government Pensions and the state Pension to initiate the distribution of N1 billion to the senior citizens.
Elaborating on the governor’s recent instruction during a meeting with executives of the Association of Retired Primary School Teachers, Local Government Pensioners Association, and Retired Primary School Teachers Association of Nigeria at her office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Mrs. Olubukola Adeniregun, the Permanent Secretary of the bureau, underscored the government’s serious stance on pensioners’ issues.
Adeniregun pointed out that the current administration is genuinely troubled by the wide discrepancy in gratuity payment between Local Government and state government retirees, suggesting that the governor’s decision reflects a heartfelt consideration of the persistent requests and urgent pleas to bridge this gap. She also stated that a total of 685 retirees are slated to benefit from the recent disbursement.
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Adeniregun stressed that it takes a conscientious government to demonstrate genuine concern for the welfare of individuals who have diligently served the state during their tenure.
She affirmed that Abiodun is determined to improve the quality of life for Local Government retirees, striving for equality in remuneration and other welfare benefits with state pensioners.
‘From his inception as the Governor of Ogun State, you will agree with me that Prince Dapo Abiodun has lived up to his promises for the senior citizens. Need I remind you that, he is the governor who raised the quarterly payment of gratuity of pensioners from N500 million to N1 billion, and as we speak, the pensioners are also included in the 6-month extension of cash palliative being paid to serving workers on a monthly basis,’ she said.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Foluke Salami and Mr. Noah Bakare, who retired as a primary school teacher and an LG worker respectively, conveyed their gratitude to the governor for facilitating the payment.
They pleaded with him to continue with the disbursement of their gratuity to ensure that other pensioners awaiting their turn could also be included.