The Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board today commenced payment of One Billion, Six Hundred and Fifty Million naira as gratuity to another batch of retired local government staff, primary school teachers and death benefits to next of kins of deceased retirees.
This was made known by the Chairman, Local Government Staff Pension Board, Hon Akeem Ademola Ige at the flag- off ceremony for the payment exercise held at St Peter Anglican Church Hall, Aremo, Ibadan.
While delivering his keynote address, the Chairman, Local Government Staff Pension Board, Hon Akeem Ademola Ige said “the present administration under the able leadership of His Excellency, Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde has paid over Twenty Billion Naira out of over Thirty Six Billion Naira backlog of gratuity inherited from previous administrations”.
Hon Ige further stated that the Governor has increased the monthly allocation of the Board from Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira to Five Hundred Million Naira which has helped to increase the number of beneficiaries on gratuity and death benefits. He also noted that the governor approved the total sum of One Billion, Six Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (#1,650,000,000.00) for payment of gratuity and death benefits to this batch of beneficiaries both retired primary school teachers and local government retirees.
Furthermore, Hon Ige said “the new policy of monthly payment of gratuity and death benefits will now commence as from January 2025. We are assuring you that the modalities for monthly payment across the Local Government Areas will still continue. This is meant to make life more meaningful to our esteemed senior citizens, fast track the payment, increase beneficiaries and improve standard of living”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Lukman Akinola Muraina said “beneficiaries will receive alert of their gratuity and death benefits on their mobile phones and implored them to continue to support and cooperate with the present government in Oyo State in order to continue to enjoy more dividends of democracy.
In their various goodwill messages, the State Chairman and Secretary, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Oyo State Council, represented by the Assistant Secretary, Comrade Banji Kolesoso, State Chairman, NUP , retired primary school teachers wing , Com Dosu Akinpelu and State Chairman, NUP, Local Government Staff Wing, Com Dr Taiwo Ayanlowo expressed gratitude to the Governor of Oyo State , Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde for implementing various pensioners’ welfare policies since assumption of office in May 2019 till date. They also urged the beneficiaries to spend their money wisely and warned them to be wary of fraudsters and prayed for Engr Seyi Makinde led Government.
In their separate responses , some of the beneficiaries, Pastor Olutunde Adegbola Oladeji, Mrs Eniola Serifat Olufunke and Mr Akande Gbolagade Ismail thanked the Governor for the kind gesture.
E-Signed
Banke Adeyemo
DDESS
LGSPB
Oyo State ICT
December 16, 2024
