The Osun State Governor in Southwest Nigeria has approved the release of N1,108,000,000 for the settlement on pension arrears.
The Head of Service, Dr. Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade said this during the inter-religious prayers organised to kickstart the 2021 work year, on Monday.
Oyebade who commended Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for the gesture said the Governor has shown himself as a man who cares about the welfare of workers and the people he governs.
“Inspite of the challenging times in the year 2020, he did not undermine the welfare of workers and citizens. We will recall that he approved the implementation of annual increment, minimum wage, promotion and conversion for workers in the state without agitation.
“Barely 17 hours to Christmas, the Governor told me that he was bothered about how the celebrations would be for pensioners, and not long after, he summoned the Commissioner for Finance and the Accountant-General, and asked for a quick intervention.
The approved amount included a sum of Five Hundred and Eight Million Naira for the pensions of retired civil servants; a sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira to pay retirees under the contributory pensions scheme; with an additional Fifty Million Naira was for the part-payment of the gratuities of retired officers under the old pensions scheme.
Apart from the Seven Hundred and Million Naira (N708,000,000) outlined above, the governor approved another Two Hundred Million Naira (N 200,000,000) for those who have not had their contributory pensions.
“Just when the beneficiaries said they wanted to come and appreciate the Governor for making their welfare priority, he approved another Two Hundred Million Naira this morning to further offset pension arrears,” he said.
The Head of Service described the governor’s gesture as a laudable feat, saying the pensioners have not had it so good since 2016.
The prayer meeting had in attendance, representatives of the three arms of government, cabinet members, senior civil servants and clerics.
Lateefah Ibrahim
