The Oyo State government under the leadership of Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde has paid Two Billion Naira to another batch of retired Local Government Staff and Public Primary School Teachers.
While delivering the keynote address at the flag- off ceremony held today at the Local Government Staff Training School, Secretariat,Ibadan, the Chairman Local Government Staff Pension Board, Hon Akeem Ademola Ige said the governor approved and released the sum of Two Billion Naira for the months of June and July payment exercise.
Hon Ige further stated that the present administration has paid over Twenty Five Billion Naira so far out of the inherited Thirty Six Billion Naira backlog of gratuity. He said “we need to appreciate our amiable governor for being consistent in making life more bearable and meaningful for all pensioners in the state by providing unprecedented welfare packages since assumption of office in May 2019 till date.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Staff Pension Board, Alhaji Lukman Akinola Muraina advised retirees to do away with middlemen in the processing of their retirement benefits . He also hinted that the Board will soon embark on a sensitization training programme for prospective retirees across all the geo-political zones.The Permanent Secretary then commended the governor for his pensioners’ friendly policies and programmes.
In his goodwill message, the State Secretary, Nigeria Union Pensioners (NUP) Oyo State Chapter, Comrade Olusegun Abatan gave kudos to governor Seyi Makinde for taking good care of pensioners , and said “we are no longer dieing like fowls, God will give us a good person like Seyi Makinde in the year 2027 because we don’t want to go back to Egypt , we don’t want the era of unpaid gratuity again. Seyi Makinde gave us icing on the cake by increasing our monthly pension. The least paid pensioner now collects Twenty Five Thousand”.
Comrade Olusegun Abatan then advised all the beneficiaries to spend their money wisely.
Also speaking at the event, the President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees ( NULGE) , Oyo State Chapter, who was recently re-elected for second term in office , Comrade Ayobami Adeogun applauded the governor for prioritizing workers and pensioners welfare since assumption of office. He noted that other states pensioners and workers now envy the pacesetter state. He said ” workers are no longer afraid to retire because pensioners now collects their monthly pension as and when due. Also, there will be no need for recomputation of retirement benefits again because Governor Seyi Makinde has conducted and released all outstanding promotions letters up till the year 2024.”
The State Chairmen of retired primary school teachers and local government staff, Com Dosu Akinpelu and Alhaji Muniru Adesope respectively also corroborated earlier speakers in their goodwill messages and then congratulated all the beneficiaries of the gratuity payment exercise.
Responding on behalf of all the beneficiaries, Mrs Ogunjobi Cecilia, Mr Adebiyi Olukunle , Mrs Oyerinde Musili and Mrs Johnson Oluyemisi thanked the governor for his magnanimity and then prayed for more wisdom as he continues to steer the ship of the pacesetter state.
Among dignitaries that graced the occasion include the Permanent Secretaries , Ibadan Zones 1 & 2 Pastor Adeola Oduola and Mr Olufemi Akinwale respectively, Nigeria Union of Pensioners ( NUP) Executives, Heads of Departments , LGSPB and a host of others.
