Follow Us on Google
From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has presented gratuity cheques totalling N1 billion to another batch of pensioners in the state.
The governor assured the audience that his administration would implement the new minimum wage once President Bola Tinubu signs the bill into law, noting that pensioners will also benefit.
Oyebanji made the remarks while presenting the cheques to pensioners in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. He disclosed that over N12 billion and N2.3 billion have been paid as pensions and gratuities, respectively, to pensioners in the state since he assumed office in 2022.
Presenting the cheques to 450 pensioners from the period of April to July 2014, the governor said his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of senior citizens who had served the state diligently and meritoriously. He said this was his way of appreciating their service to humanity and the growth of the state.
He restated his administration’s commitment to defraying all outstanding gratuity arrears in the state, assuring the people that his government is working hard to ensure that gratuity arrears become a thing of the past. He hopes to achieve his goal of a “pay-as-you-go” basis.
Read also: Senate passes new minimum wage bill
Other News
The governor urged public servants in the state to key into the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) recently introduced, which guarantees a more seamless and quicker payment of gratuities.
“As elder statesmen, your welfare is always a priority to this administration, and that is why your monthly pension has been on the first-line charge.
“I am proud to say that we have paid, in total, the sum of N12,569,562,240.00 in pensions since we assumed office.
“Similarly, this administration has paid a cumulative sum of N2.3 billion as gratuities to our retired senior citizens. This is apart from the gratuity already paid to local government retirees. Today, in this batch, we are paying out a total sum of N1 billion, while continuing with the monthly gratuity payment of N200 million to both state and local government pensioners.”
Speaking at the event, the Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Folakemi Olomojobi, commended the governor for paying the substantial sum as gratuities to the pensioners, describing the act as unprecedented.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ekiti State Chapter, Elder Joel Akinola; the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kolapo Olatunde; the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Sola Adigun; and the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, expressed their gratitude to the governor for prioritising the welfare of the pensioners and the entire workforce in the state.
