Oyo govt pays over N37bn in gratuities to retired teachers, LG staff – Tribune Online

The Oyo State Government has disbursed more than N37 billion in gratuities and death benefits to retired primary school teachers and local government staff since 2019, officials have said.

The Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, disclosed this during the flag-off ceremony for another round of payments to beneficiaries across the state.

According to Ige, the payments reflect the administration’s sustained commitment to pensioners’ welfare under Governor Seyi Makinde.

“The Oyo State Government has paid over N37 billion as gratuity and death benefits to retired primary school teachers and local government staff since the inception of this administration,” Ige said.

He added that a fresh disbursement of N3 billion would be paid to another batch of retirees, with the exercise decentralised across the state’s geopolitical zones to ease the process for beneficiaries.

“The payment exercise will be conducted across the geopolitical zones of the state to reduce the stress hitherto experienced by retirees,” he explained.

ALSO READ: VIDEO: Entire Iran could be ‘taken out’ on Tuesday — Trump warns

In their goodwill messages, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Gafar Bello, and the Special Adviser on Establishment and Training, Alhaji Siju Lawal, praised Governor Seyi Makinde’s consistency in prioritising workers and pensioners.

Representatives of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) also commended the governor’s record. The National Treasurer, Deacon Jare Jokanola, and the Oyo State Secretary, Comrade Segun Abatan, described Makinde as “pensioners-friendly,” noting his regular payment structure.

“Seyi Makinde is now paying about N6 billion monthly as gratuity to retired state workers, primary school teachers and local government staff,” they said, adding that many other states still struggle with pension backlogs.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the pension board, Mr Olufemi Akinwale, urged beneficiaries to make prudent use of their payments and remain vigilant against fraud.

“We advise beneficiaries to utilise their gratuities wisely and be cautious of unscrupulous individuals who may seek to take advantage of them,” Akinwale said.

The event featured the symbolic presentation of cheques to selected beneficiaries, some of whom expressed appreciation to the state government.

One beneficiary, Mr Stephen Amole, described the payment as timely relief.

“We are grateful to Governor Seyi Makinde for fulfilling this promise. This will go a long way in supporting us,” he said.

Other beneficiaries, including Mr Mudasiru Olalekan, Mrs Akinboade Olufunke, and Mrs Babalola Aminat, also commended the government and offered prayers for the governor.

The ceremony was attended by permanent secretaries from various administrative zones, NUP executives, heads of departments, and other stakeholders.