Sodiq Waheed
Ekiti State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Joel Olomi Akinola, has expressed gratitude to Governor Biodun Oyebanji for the consistent and timely payment of pensions, while appealing for the prompt settlement of the remaining one month’s pension owed to local government pensioners.
Comrade Akinola expressed this at the prayer conference Organised to appreciate God by the Elderly citizens held at the state’s pensioners headquarters, Ado-Ekiti with the theme “Thanking God for His Favour and Mercy”
He commended the Governor’s commitment to pensioners’ welfare, highlighting the regular pension payments, the recent disbursement of over 3.2 billion naira for state pensioners and 1.4 billion naira for local government pensioners as part of gratuity debt clearance and the addition of a 10,000naira monthly palliative for all pensioners.
Comrade Akinola praised the Governor’s appointment of a Special Advisor on pension matters, describing it as a first of its kind in the country.
He also lauded the free health care initiatives for all Ekiti pensioners, the financial support for the Union’s Guest House construction, and the donation of an 18-seater bus amongst others.
In his words, the pensioners chairman said “We are truly grateful for the Governor’s unwavering dedication to our welfare, the payment of arrears for state pensioners and the significant progress in clearing local government pensioners’ arrears is a testament to his commitment.”
However, Comrade Akinola highlighted the remaining one month’s pension owed to local government pensioners, urging the Governor to expedite its payment. He also emphasized the importance of finalizing negotiations on the National minimum wage and its consequential pension increase.
The pensioners’ chairman requested an increase in the allocation for gratuity payments and establishment of recreation centers in each local government to provide pensioners with a social space to relax and interact.
The pensioners concluded the summit with prayers for Governor Oyebanji’s continued success and prayed God to continue to guide, guard and protect the Governor to be able to pilot the affairs of Ekiti State successfully.