Aiyedatiwa disburses N2.5bn gratuity to retired Ondo LG workers, teachers

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has promised to prioritize the payment of outstanding gratuities for retirees, assuring that his administration will not relent until all arrears are fully cleared.

The governor made this commitment during the flag-off ceremony for the fourth batch of bulk deferment of gratuity arrears for retired local government staff and primary school teachers.

Aiyedatiwa acknowledged the financial burdens faced by retirees and emphasized that, despite the state’s limited resources, their welfare remains a top priority.

ALSO READ:Kebbi PDP condemns member’s defection

He revealed that in the previous three phases of the initiative, a total of ₦3 billion had been spent to clear gratuity backlogs up to the year 2012. With the latest phase, an additional ₦2.5 billion has been allocated to settle gratuities for retirees from 2013.

“Retirees deserve to enjoy the fruits of their labor in peace and dignity. This initiative is part of our broader strategy to improve their welfare and ensure they are not forgotten after years of meritorious service,” the governor said.

Aiyedatiwa further stated that under his leadership, a system of regular fund warehousing for gratuity payments has been established to ensure seamless and consistent disbursement.

He also assured retirees that gratuity payments would no longer be subject to political influence or favoritism, emphasizing that only the year of retirement would determine the priority of payments.

“Your prayers for us have continued to sustain us. It is to the glory of God that your efforts and support, as well as that of the entire people of the state, have given us yet another opportunity as we look forward to my official inauguration on Monday, February 24, 2025.

“I wish to assure you that with our renewed mandate, an era of unprecedented delivery of the dividends of good governance for the benefit of all and sundry in our Sunshine State has come,” Aiyedatiwa added.

The Head of Service, Mr. Bayo Philip, commended the governor for prioritizing retirees’ welfare and implementing proactive measures to clear gratuity arrears despite financial constraints. He described the initiative as a testament to the governor’s commitment to putting a smile on retirees’ faces.

ALSO READ:Obasa approaches Court over impeachment saga

Philip advised beneficiaries to utilize their payments judiciously and expressed optimism that more retirees would benefit from subsequent phases of the defrayment exercise.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Ondo State Chapter, Johnson Osunyemi, lauded the governor for consistently prioritizing retirees’ welfare and ensuring timely gratuity payments.

He noted that Ondo State pensioners are among the few in the country receiving regular pension increases, a privilege not extended to retirees in many other states.

Osunyemi further praised Governor Aiyedatiwa for being one of the few governors in Nigeria to approve the implementation of the new minimum wage for pensioners, describing it as a landmark achievement that has significantly improved retirees’ living conditions in the state.