A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, has tasked governments at all levels to place a high premium on the prompt payment of gratuities and pensions to retirees.
Speaking at an empowerment programme tagged “Support for Senior Citizens”, organized by a nonprofit organization, Oluwafemi Oparinde Foundation, Akogun Oyedepo, who was a guest speaker, posited that the delayed payment of pensioners’ entitlements is injurious to society. He added that regular payment of gratuities and other benefits would lead to the establishment of small businesses in the state.
“Government should address the plight of retirees in the state. The construction of roads, bridges, and other infrastructural facilities should not take precedence over the payment of retirees’ entitlements. We are not saying that the provision of infrastructure is not good, but it is only the worker who is alive and healthy that can make use of those facilities.
“Retirees should not be left to struggle. They deserve timely gratuities and proper training to help them transition smoothly into post-service life.
“During your active years, you raised the bar of leadership and governance for the economic prosperity of the state.
“The programme that is on today started way back in 2020. It, therefore, shows the genuineness and sincerity of the founder,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Femi Oparinde, said that the group gave out cash gifts of N50,000 each to 1,000 retirees and provided free medical care to the beneficiaries.
Oparinde emphasized the importance of honoring those who had dedicated their lives to public service.
“Retirement should not mean abandonment. These individuals have given their best years to the growth of our society, and we must ensure they are not left to suffer,” Oparinde stated.
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Since its establishment in 2020, the foundation has expanded its humanitarian efforts beyond COVID-19 relief to include education, entrepreneurship, and support for vulnerable groups.
The latest outreach, Oparinde noted, reinforces the need for collective responsibility in caring for retirees.
The Chairman of the State National Union of Pensioners (NUP), Alhaji Saidu Oladimeji, hailed the intervention and urged the state government to enhance pension payments and introduce more social welfare programmes for senior citizens.
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