The Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board , Hon Akeem Ademola Ige has solicited for continued support, cooperation and understanding of all pensioners to the present administration in Oyo State led by His Excellency, Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde.
Hon Akeem Ige stated this in his address during the courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Pensioners ( NUP) Executives, Oyo State Council in their office at the Pensioners House, Agbarigo, Ibadan.
Hon Akeem Ige said the present Government is happy with the State NUP Executives led by Comrades Isiaka Abolade, Chairman and Comrade Segun Abatan Secretary for being a pride of South West States through their landmark achievements and cooperation with the State Government from May 2019 till date.
In his words, “I sincerely appreciate you all and I want to use this medium to solicit for your continued collaboration, cooperation, understanding and support to our amiable and indefatigable Peoples Governor, His Excellency, Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde led administration as you have exhibited since assumption of office in May 2019 to Omituntun 2.0. The result of the last general election is unprecedented because the Governor won with a landslide victory. I appreciate Comrade Segun Abatan and other Executive members for being selfless leaders fighting the course of all Pensioners”.
While acknowledging the efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde for implementing various workers and pensioners welfare packages consistently, the chairman gave kudos to the Governor for not being part of the twenty State Governors that are not paying wage award mentioned by Nigeria Labour Congress( NLC) and reaffirmed Government commitment and determination to continue to prioritize pensioners welfare.
He then informed them that His Excellency was already looking at ways of commencing payment of outstanding pension arrears of retired primary school teachers on monthly basis. He also intimidated them that he would soon pay visit to all pensioners in the geo-political zones of the State in order to familiarise himself with them.
In his welcome address, the State Secretary, Comrade Segun Abatan said Governor Seyi Makinde is a “God Sent Man” to pensioners. He described pensioners experience during the past administrations as traumatizing, noted that pensioners had trauma for sixteen years most especially during the eight years of Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration who said primary school teachers did not vote for him during the election so he refused to pay gratuity.
Describing Seyi Makinde as being consistent who never failed in all his promises. He said “Governor Seyi Makinde has been the clearing house of the rascality and irresponsibility of the past administrations. A God Sent Man to pensioners, who walks the talk by setting up a committee to fashion out how all gratuity will be paid before 28th May, 2027. The prayer of all pensioners now is that Oyo State should have a Governor like or better than Seyi Makinde after the expiration of his second term in office so that we will continue to enjoy more welfare packages.”
Also speaking, the Chairman, Oyo State NUP, Comrade Isiaka Abolade corroborated the State Secretary, and said” we appreciate our amiable Governor Seyi Makinde for being pensioners’ friendly since assumption of office and I appeal to Hon Akeem Ige to use your position to influence more welfare packages for pensioners and we pray for your successful tenure of office “.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary Alhaji Lukman Akinola Muraina thanked the State NUP Executives for their unalloyed support to the management of the Board.
Hon Akeem Ige and his entourage were later conducted round the newly constructed Oyo State Pensioners Hospital located at Onireke, Ibadan solely financed by all pensioners in the pacesetter State.
E- Signed
Banke Adeyemo
LGSPB
Oyo State ICT
June 14, 2024
