Ogun pensioners laud Abiodun over approval of N2bn gratuity payments

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ogun State Council, has lauded Governor Dapo Abiodun for approving and releasing N2 billion for the payment of outstanding gratuities.

The union, in a letter addressed to Abiodun through the Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya, said the payment would further reduce the backlog of the accrued gratuities.

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The State Chairman, Comrade W.O. Oloyede and the Secretary, Comrade Dr Bola Lawal, said the gesture demonstrated the Abiodun-led administration’s towards the welfare of the senior citizens, whose entitlements have been denied over the years.

The letter read in parts, “No doubt, the payment of the gratuities will bring great relief and succor to many individuals and families.

“We also wish to use this medium to express our sincere appreciation to you for the prompt payment of monthly pensions, which has aided our plans towards the procurement of sustainable health services.

“We also express immense appreciation for the various palliatives and subsidies directed towards us, pensioners, in the recent past to cushion the effects of the present harsh economic realities. We are not taking these gestures for granted, our beloved Governor, but to express the deep sense of gratitude.”

The union, however, pleaded with the government to approve the consequential increase in pensions of the long-standing pensioners in line with the 2019 Federal Government Circular on Consequential Adjustment of Pensions, towards which a committee was set up at your instance on the 19th July 2022.

“This is to enable most of the pensioners the financial wherewithal at the present economic downturn to purchase required drugs for the various health challenges ravaging the elderly,” he said.