The Kano State Governor in Northwest Nigeria, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has launched the third phase of pension payments, disbursing N5 billion to retirees and families of deceased pensioners.
Since taking office, the Governor has cleared N11 billion of the N43 billion unpaid pension backlog in two phases
In the first phase, Governor Yusuf allocated N6 billion to the state Pension Trust Fund to pay retirees below Grade Level 10, while the second phase had N5 billion being released for disbursement to pensioners who served the state for 35 years.
So far, N16 billion has been paid as gratuity and death benefits by the Kano State Government under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Presenting cheques to the beneficiaries at the Government House Kano, Governor Yusuf reiterated his determination in settling all outstanding benefits of retirees in the state.
He lamented the challenges encountered in the pension scheme in the state being accumulated by the immediate past administration, expressing the commitment in ensuring that, the families and beneficiaries smile to banks.
He directed the Pensions Trust fund and other agencies to identify and get appropriate data of all the deceased retirees in the state with a view to settling them.
The Governor said; “Our administration will continue accord justice, equity and fairness to all Kano state citizens.”
“All of you will be paid here today, the bankers are here to do that and anybody who did not get his or her alerts should contact the Commissioner of Finance or you can contact me directly,” Governor Yusuf said.
The Chairman, Kano State Pension fund Trustees, Alhaji Habu Muhammed saluted Governor Yusuf initiatives in alleviating sufferings of retirees.
The Head of Service Kano State, Abdullahi Musa said; “the leadership of Governor Yusuf has transformed lives of the Civil servants which has helped in improving their productivity.
“The numerous welfare you extended to civil servants has greatly impacted their lives as well as timely payment of salaries to workers.”
The National President Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Godwin Abemisi represented by Mr. Assen Sambe described the giant strides of Kano Governor as unprecedented in the lives of Pensioners.
While thanking Governor Yusuf for the gesture, Abemisi promised support of the union at all times, calling on other Governors to emulate Governor Yusuf.
The Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress NLC Kabiru Inuwa while presenting award of excellence on the Governor called on workers to reciprocate the gesture of the Governor by being committed to work at all times.
Some beneficiaries who spoke in interview expressed gratitude to the Governor for the gesture.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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