By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Oyo State Government has disclosed that no fewer than 92 pensioners on Monday, received cheques worth N208 million as gratuities from the state government.
The Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi made this known during an interactive session with the executive of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Oyo State Chapter and the symbolic presentation of cheques to some retirees.
Hon Adebisi stressed that this is in fulfillment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s promise to the executive of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Chapter, adding that the beneficiaries comprises of state, local government and primary school retirees.
The commissioner maintained that there is need for synergy and cooperation between the Nigerian Union of Pensioner and the Ministry of Establishments and Training, to make life better for pensioners, while the ministry is working on the review of pensions as directed by the governor.
According to the commissioner, the state government believes in dialogue as against industrial action to avoid sending bad signals to the general public, saying, “dialogue can resolve more than 50 per cent of any problem no matter how big”.
He pointed out that the state government is committed to the wellbeing and welfare of civil servants, as well as the retirees.
Oyo State Secretary of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Olusegun Abatan while speaking said the loyalty of the Union to the State Government was demonstrated in the last gubernatorial election, when pensioners trooped out en-masse to vote for His Excellency, as a sign of appreciation.
Comrade Abatan expressed his delight that the Governor fulfilled his promise to resume payment of gratuity and believes that the 13-points agenda presented by the Union would be executed one after the other especially now that the pension review is being looked into.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed their appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde for paying their gratuities at this time of economic hardship and recession, praying that God will grant him more wisdom to move the state forward.
