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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration in Nasarawa State has made significant strides in prioritizing the welfare of senior citizens by ensuring the timely and full payment of retirement benefits. This initiative has addressed a long-standing issue inherited from previous administrations and brought renewed hope to retirees across the state.
Upon assuming office in 2019, Governor Sule inherited a staggering N42 billion in benefit arrears, leaving retirees facing financial uncertainty. Under previous administrations, retirees received only 50% of their monthly pension, further exacerbating their struggles.
Governor Sule swiftly took action, pledging to review pension and gratuity payments within his first 100 days in office. He has since delivered on this promise, clearing gratuities to retired civil servants that were pending for over 26 years.
This milestone was achieved through the strategic allocation of funds obtained from the World Bank under the state’s Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) program. In February 2024, Governor Sule approved the disbursement of N1 billion to clear outstanding gratuities for over 1000 retirees spanning from 1999 to 2010, providing much-needed relief to those experiencing economic hardship.
The Director-General of the Nasarawa State Pension Bureau, Alhaji Suleiman Nagogo, lauded the administration’s efforts in managing limited resources effectively, ensuring prompt and full pension payments since 2019.
Governor Sule’s administration has implemented quarterly payments for gratuities, addressing the backlog systematically and preventing future grievances. The administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability has been underscored by the stringent verification process undertaken to weed out fraudulent beneficiaries.
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Nasarawa State has commended Governor Sule for bringing unprecedented relief to pensioners, noting the significant improvement in pension and gratuity payments.
Retired Permanent Secretary and NUP chairman for Keana Local Government Area, Alhaji Danjuma Ayitogo, affirmed that pensioners now receive their entitlements promptly, thanks to Governor Sule’s empathetic leadership.
Retiree and state NUP Women Desk Leader, Mrs. Lydia Irekpita, expressed gratitude for the administration’s commitment to ensuring retirees’ well-being. She highlighted the dire consequences faced by retirees under previous administrations and emphasized the life-saving impact of timely pension payments.
Through decisive action and unwavering dedication, Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration has rekindled hope and restored dignity to senior citizens in Nasarawa State, setting a commendable example for governance and social welfare initiatives across the nation.
