Ekiti Gov Oyebanji presents N915m cheques to pensioners

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, yesterday, presented cheques worth N915 million as gratuities to 289 state, local council and primary school retirees in the state.

Oyebanji, who reiterated his administration’s commitment to programmes and policies that will enhance quality of life of Ekiti State residents, especially pensioners, said payment of the gratuity was in fulfilment of his campaign promise of shared prosperity, adding that his administration would continue to ensure that pensioners enjoy a worthy life after their meritorious service to the state.

The governor, while presenting the cheques to the retirees at the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, said he was not unaware of challenges confronting the retires as a result of regrettable delay in accessing their gratuities as and when due.

He assured the retirees that his government is irrevocably committed to ending the regime of endless wait in payment of gratuities.

He informed the gathering that since the inception of his administration in October 2022, over 1.2 billion Naira had been paid as gratuity to both the State and Local government retirees while payment of monthly pensions had been regular.

The Governor charged the beneficiaries to utilize the money wisely by using it to take good care of their health to improve the quality of their lives.

In their goodwill messages, the State Chairmen of Nigeria Union of Pensioners in the state, Elder Joel Akinola Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Kolapo Olatunde; Trade Union Congress, Comrade Sola Adigun and Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Femi Ajoloko expressed their appreciation to the Governor for making welfare of workers in the state a top priority in his agenda.

The Labour leaders commended the achievements of the Governor in just 200 days in office and pledged continued support of senior citizens and workers in the state to the success of the administration adding the state never had it so good as far as the welfare of the elderly was concerned.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Beatrice Ogunjemilua and Mr Alonge Michael Alabi thanked the Governor for fulfilling the promises he made to pensioners during his electioneering campaign and prayed for him for long life and wisdom to continue to paddle the affairs of the state to greater heights.

Guardianng