Secretary, Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State, Mr Segun Abatan, on Monday, said no administration in the state since 1999 paid as much in pensions and gratuities as the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration has paid in the past 19 months.
Abatan stated this during the presentation of cheques to about 400 retired primary schools teachers of the year 2012 and retired local government staff of the year 2015 to the tune of N1.05billion at state Secretariat, Ibadan.
Speaking, Abatan ranked the Makinde government highest in payment of pensions and gratuities with its payment of about N6billion to retired primary school teachers and local government workers and another N6billion to retired workers at the state level.
He added that the NUP was also gladdened with assurances that the Makinde government will not only clear the backlog but also attend to recently retired workers.
“Today again, His Excellency has given 400 people gratuities. Barely one and a half years, N6billion has been given to pensioners of local government and retired primary schools let alone state pensioners.
“If you factor in about N6billion that this amiable governor has given retired primary school teachers and local government workers and add to what he has been paying state pensioners, that is more than N12billion paid in less than two years.
“Seyi Makinde has paid more pensions and gratuities than all the governments since 1999, that we entered this pseudo fourth republic,” Abatan said.
The presentation of gratuity cheques to the 400 retirees brings to 3,043 the number of such beneficiaries since September 2019 with a total of N5.92 billion paid.
In his remarks, pioneer Chairman, Local Government Staff Pension Board, Oyo State, Prince Bayo Adeyemi urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of their gratuities for the benefit of their loved ones.
He urged the beneficiaries to avail themselves of the services of trusted professionals and business experts on how best to invest their money.
Chairman, Oyo State Local Government Service Commission, Mr Adeyemi Ayodele also admonished the beneficiaries to wisely spend their money on worthwhile projects and personal needs.
Recipients such as Mr Ismaila Badmus, Mrs Oladokun Sikeola, Mrs Ogundairo Mariam, Mrs Margaret Akinyemi and Mrs Solademi Comfort expressed gladness that the Makinde government had continued to put a smile on the faces of several retirees.
Nigerian Tribune