Aiyedatiwa Flags Off ₦1.6bn Gratuity Payment for Retired LG Workers, Teachers in Ondo

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has launched the payment of ₦1.6 billion in outstanding gratuities to retired local government employees and primary school teachers, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the welfare of pensioners.

Speaking during the official flag-off ceremony on Monday, Aiyedatiwa said the initiative was a deliberate effort by his government to clear arrears and restore confidence among retirees who had lost hope of receiving their full entitlements.

“I started this even when I was deputy governor. I presented a case to the then governor, which he approved for us, and we began saving funds specifically for this purpose,” he said.
“Periodically, whenever the financial situation allowed, we set aside money to pay our pensioners. This practice has continued even now that I am fully in charge as governor.”

The governor explained that the bulk payment for the 2014 set of pensioners marked another major step in his administration’s plan to settle all outstanding gratuities.

“This payment further demonstrates our commitment to the welfare of the elderly and the vulnerable in line with our EASE policy trust,” he noted.
“Under our watch, bulk payments were made to pensioners of 2011, 2012, and 2013 — an unprecedented feat in the history of our state. Today, we are exiting 2014, and very soon, we will move on to 2015 until everyone is cleared.”

Aiyedatiwa also highlighted that Ondo State remains among the few states in Nigeria to have granted an upward review of pension benefits, underscoring his administration’s resolve to ensure a dignified life for retirees.

He commended the cordial relationship between the National Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the Local Government Pension Transitional Department, describing it as vital to the success of pension administration in the state.

During the event, the governor presented cheques to the families of three local government officials who lost their lives while on official duty, assuring that his government would continue to prioritise the welfare of senior citizens and their dependents.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, said the government had put in place several measures to support the elderly across the state.

He revealed that at least 300 aged persons in each of the 18 local government areas receive ₦20,000 monthly stipends, and that the ministry has been mandated to save a percentage of revenue quarterly to sustain gratuity payments.

In his remarks, Comrade Johnson Osunyemi, the Ondo State Chairman of NUP, expressed appreciation to the governor for his continued efforts to improve the welfare of pensioners.

“We are grateful to Governor Aiyedatiwa for demonstrating genuine concern for the plight of pensioners. This gesture will bring relief to many of our members,” Osunyemi said.