The Director General of Advocacy for Good Governance, Otunba Dele Ologbese, has called on the State Government to consider retirees who are critical part of labour force in the implementation of new minimum wage
Ologbese, in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Akure, the State Capital, appealed to the Ondo State Head of Service, Mr. Bayo Phillips and organised labour unions to prioritise or tabled concerns of retired workers before the governor for instant approval
The pioneer Secretary of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), who has also served in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the State, described the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as a selfless leader who’s passionate about the plight of senior citizens
He noted that Governor Aiyedatiwa understands the concerns of his people, especially the poor pensioners who eked out existence amidst current economic hardships in the country from their monthly meager pensions
He added that Ondo, being one of the oil-producing states in the Federation, has the whilewhither to put smiles on the faces of its workforce, serving, or retired ones, and we’re happy he’s presently doing his utmost best in this respect
The Oka-Akoko-born retired bureaucrat urged the Head of Service and organised labour unions to take a cue from Lagos, Kwara and other States where retirees enjoyed enhanced pensions based on the new minimum wage, adding that this is an enduring legacy, Aiyedatiwa- led Administration must bequeathed on the state towards engraving its name in gold
“I like to appeal passionately to Ondo State Government not to look back in allowing its senior citizens to enjoy a robust new minimum wage at the same time with active public servants, for sakes of fairness and justice.
“There’s no disputing the fact that pensioners are part of the ecosystem who are facing the same economic hardships all Nigerians are experiencing today.
“The Head of Service and organised labour unions in Ondo State should not hesitate in tabling this important matter before the caring hearted governor, whom I believe will give express considerations to this important request
“I also seize this auspicious opportunity to appeal to Ondo State Government to disburse backlogs of gratuities approved for 2015 retirees to alleviate their sufferings immediately,” Ologbese said
