2020 retirees, outstanding beneficiaries from 2015-2019 receive full entitlements
No fewer than 985 retired workers in Ondo State have received a total of N3.82 billion in gratuities following the release of funds by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The beneficiaries comprise 509 retirees from the 2020 batch and 476 outstanding beneficiaries from the 2015 to 2019 batches.
Governor Aiyedatiwa on Wednesday flagged off the payment of the N3.82 billion, covering retirees from the mainstream civil service, secondary school teaching and non-teaching services, as well as parastatals across the state.
The governor described the payment as a “debt of honour” to retirees who devoted their productive years to the service of the state.
Aiyedatiwa said his administration inherited billions of naira in outstanding gratuity obligations dating from 2015, but was committed to confronting and clearing the backlog.
“When our administration came to the saddle, we inherited billions of naira in outstanding gratuity obligations covering the period from 2015 to date.
“We did not shy away from this burden. Rather, we confronted it with courage, responsibility and a clear understanding that governance is not only about initiating new projects; it is equally about confronting inherited challenges and resolving them,” he said.
The governor said his administration had successfully defrayed outstanding gratuities for retirees from 2015 to 2019, describing the payment to the 2020 batch as another major step.
“Today, we are taking another giant step forward with the flag-off of payment to retirees of the year 2020. We give all glory to Almighty God for the grace and enablement to fulfil this important obligation,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa said the intervention went beyond financial support, adding that it was a demonstration of the state government’s appreciation of the sacrifices made by retired public servants.
“We remember your service; we respect your sacrifice; and we will not forget your entitlement,” the governor said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Pension Transition Office, Dr. Peter Akingbade, said retirees from the 2015 Batch C, 2016 Batch C, 2017 Batch C, 2018 Batch B, 2019 Batch B and 2020 Batch A were being paid and had started receiving bank alerts.
He said the beneficiaries would receive their full gratuity entitlements rather than partial payments, describing the development as a major milestone that would bring relief, dignity and renewed hope to the retirees.
Akingbade attributed the payment to Governor Aiyedatiwa’s commitment to improving the welfare of senior citizens under the administration’s OUR EASE agenda.
He also commended the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac, for her contribution to the exercise, as well as the Head of Service, Sir Segun Odusanya, for his dedication to the welfare of retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme.
The permanent secretary said the gratuity payment process was continuous and urged retirees yet to be verified to come forward and complete their documentation.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Nike Ogunbodede thanked the governor, describing the development as a remarkable intervention.
Similarly, the Ondo State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Johnson Osunyemi, commended Aiyedatiwa, saying the state was among those making significant progress in clearing the backlog of gratuities owed retired workers.
