.….I’ll Not Play Politics with your Welfare —Aiyedatiwa tells Ondo Retirees
…..As Ondo Pensioners endorse Aiyedatiwa ahead of Ondo Nov. 16 guber election.
By: Our Reporter
Pensioners in Ondo State under the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ondo State Council on Wednesday celebrated “2024 PENSIONERS’ DAY” in Akure with fanfare, as Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa declared that his administration’s commitment to the welfare of pensioners with a vow that he will not play politics or interfere with the comfort of the senior citizens.
Governor Aiyedatiwa stated these while speaking at the 2024 edition of Pensioners’ day celebration held at the union’s secretariat, Oda road, Akure.
Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Chief of Staff, Olusegun Omojuwa said upon assuming office on December 27, 2023, he implemented a coordinated and sustainable strategy to allocate funds regularly for the clearance of pension backlogs and has made substantial progress in addressing the arrears for state retirees from 2014 and 2015, as well as those for local government retirees from 2021 to 2013, ensuring that the backlogs are cleared month by month.
The governor who described Pensioners’ as significant stakeholders and vital contributors to the development of Ondo State’s public service highlighted some of the key actions his government has taken to improve the welfare of the senior citizens
His words: “We have sustained monthly fund releases for the payment of gratuities, both at the local and state government levels. We ensure regular payment of pensions to our retirees at both levels and conduct sensitization seminars for retiring civil servants and teachers. We have aligned the payment of monthly pensions with the salaries of active workers, so that all payments are completed by month-end.”
Notably, the governor said his administration has been transparent and committed to the welfare of our retirees stressing that, in addition to monthly payments, a significant amount of 1.600 billion Naira was allocated between January and August 2024 for pension payments.
“Furthermore, we allocated 1.018 billion Naira each month for gratuities under the Local Government Service Scheme. We are committed to your welfare and have ensured that politics will not interfere with the comfort of our elders. As such, you can rest assured that your pensions will be paid without delay or stress”, Aiyedatiwa added.
Earlier, in his address, the state Chairman NUP, Johnson Osunyemi said the union comprising 28,000 members have unanimously endorsed Governor Lucky for the November 16 gubernatorial election, describing him as a Pensioners’ friendly governor.
“We wish to use today’s celebration, not only as an avenue to celebrate your empathetic and compassionate dispositions to us alone but to also affirm your candidature as our anointed gubernatorial candidate and direct all our over 28,000 Pensioners and our families to vote for you at the November 16 governorship polls so that the good work we are enjoying can continue.
“We observe, with excitement and ecstasy how the hither-to sinking ship of our dear Sunshine State has suddenly been brought afloat with the emergence of His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa as our Governor.
“We note with utter satisfaction how we suddenly danced out of the quagmire of percentage payments and six and seven and a half months pension arrears of State and Local Government Pensioners to full payments of our monthly pensions, devoid of any arrears again.
“Equally too, we note with appreciation how the humongous backlog of gratuities are being systematically reduced within the short time he became our Governor. So far, the sum of N10.3billion has been paid as gratuities to Pensioners since he came on board”, Osunyemi stressed.
Speaking on the essence of the Pensioners’ day, Osunyemi said”it’s is a day set apart to celebrate the dignity of the Pensioners. It is a day to recognize the contributions of older persons to the development of their Country and a day to examine issues that affect their lives. The day provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution, wisdom, dignity and needs of our senior citizens and to rededicate our efforts to ensure their well-being.”
In his goodwill message, the state Head of Service Mr. Bayo Philips who rejoiced with the senior citizens on the occasion also pleaded with those who are yet to get their gratuity to preserve, assuring that the state government is working to ensure the prompt payment.
Highlight of the event include presentation of souvenirs of appreciation to some members of the union for their tenacity and standing by the union among other activities which made the day colourful.
