…The Association has come to stay in Ekiti…Joel Ajinola
Retirees commend governor’s commitment to welfare, gratuity payments
Members of the Pensioners Association of Nigeria (PAN), Ekiti State Chapter, on Wednesday celebrated their first anniversary with a thanksgiving service in Ado-Ekiti, where they expressed gratitude to God for His faithfulness and commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his commitment to the welfare of retirees.
The event, held along Bank Road, attracted pensioners, government officials, religious leaders and well-wishers.
Speaking at the gathering, the Chairman of PAN, Comrade Joel Akinola, thanked God for sustaining members through the association’s first year and confirmed that PAN has come to stay in Ekiti.
He said the union started with challenges but had grown steadily through unity, dedication and divine support. Akinola also praised Governor Oyebanji for his recognition of pensioners, describing him as a leader who has consistently supported retirees through regular pension payments, improved healthcare access and efforts to reduce gratuity arrears.
Addressing journalists shortly after the service, Akinola said the current administration inherited about ₦48 billion of unpaid gratuities but had significantly reduced the backlog.
He noted that pensioners now receive their entitlements more regularly, describing the governor as compassionate, accessible and a leader committed to improving the living conditions of retirees across the state.
Also speaking, the State Secretary of PAN, Mr. Ogunlusi Olakunle Charles, described the association’s growth within one year as remarkable. He said membership had continued to increase and expressed confidence that the remaining gratuity arrears would be cleared.
Charles urged the government to sustain its welfare initiatives and strengthen collaboration with pensioners in the state.
A retired civil servant, Elder Olayemi Patrick, said the association was established to protect the interests of pensioners and provide support for retirees facing challenges.
While acknowledging funding difficulties and initial opposition to the group’s formation, he said PAN had continued to grow stronger. Patrick commended Governor Oyebanji for maintaining what he described as one of the best relationships between government and pensioners in the country.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Pension Matters, Mr. Owolabi Oladipo, congratulated pensioners on the milestone and praised their unity. He described Governor Oyebanji as a pensioner-friendly leader who consistently prioritises retirees’ welfare. The thanksgiving service featured hymns, songs of praise and prayers led by Pastor Adesola Titus, who prayed for God’s mercy, peace and success for the state and its leadership.
