Joy as 289 Ekiti retirees get N915m gratuities

On Monday, no less than 289 pensioners in the state of Ekiti received cheques from the state government for a total of N915 million in the form of gratuities. The pensioners described the event as the fulfilment of the electioneering promises made by Governor Biodun Oyebanji to the senior citizens.

Retirees from the state, local government, and primary schools thanked the governor for the payment and prayed for him to have a long life and the wisdom to continue to steer the affairs of the state to even greater heights. The beneficiaries of the payment thanked the governor for the payment.

• Man found guilty of murder in Ekiti, to die by hanging
• Ekiti Speaker: Tinubu’s victory has consolidated democracy in Nigeria
• After 16-year suspension, NJC reinstated Justice Babajide Aladejana of Ekiti State High Court

The ecstatic retirees, who spoke through Mrs. Beatrice Ogunjemilua and Mr. Alonge Alabi in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, while receiving their individual cheques for the entitlements from the governor, characterised the event as unprecedented in the state. They made their remarks through Mrs. Beatrice Ogunjemilua and Mr. Alonge Alabi.

While reiterating his administration’s commitment to programmes and policies that would enhance the quality of life of Ekiti residents, particularly the pensioners, the governor stated that “Since we came on board, we have always paid pensions along with salaries of public servants.” I can assure you that this will not change.

“Today, the total amount of N700 million was distributed as gratuity to 192 retired civil servants, and the total amount of N215 million was distributed to 79 retired employees of local governments,”

Oyebanji, who stated that his administration had paid over N1.2 billion as gratuity since its inception in October 2022, promised that he would continue to ensure that pensioners enjoyed worthy lives after their meritorious service to the state. Oyebanji’s administration had been in office since October 2022.

Elder Joel Akinola, Kolapo Olatunde, Sola Adigun, and Femi Ajoloko, state chairmen of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Nigeria Labour Congress, and Trade Union Congress, respectively, and Femi Ajoloko, state chairmen of the Joint Negotiating Council, have all expressed their gratitude to the governor for making the welfare of workers and pensioners in the state a top priority in his agenda.