Abiodun pays N500M gratuity to 257 Ogun retirees

Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

The governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Wednesday distributed cheques amounting to N500M to 257 retired workers of both the state and the local government.

Speaking while handing over the cheques to the joyous workers who had retired from the employment of both the state and local government since 2011 at June 12 Cultural Center, Kuto, Abeokuta, Gov Abiodun disclosed that the kind gesture was in line with the promise of his administration to be releasing N500M quarterly to defray accumulated gratuities owed by the state government.

The governor revealed that since the economy is now rebounding and gradually shedding off the burden of Covid-19 pandemic with other sectors receiving attention, it was just patriotic to see how to make life more bearable for those who have sowed their sweat and worked for the development of the state.

Gov Abiodun said “today, therefore, we will be distributing N500 million to pensioners under the State Government and Local Government employ This signals the commencement of payment process for all our pensioners.

“Though, many of these payments are inherited liabilities, but I am assuring you that the process of paying these gratuities have started and will definitely continue. This is a promise made and promise kept. I promise to do this on a quarterly basis.

Apart from the payment of monetary entitlements, the governor also urged the retirees to take advantage of many social welfare scheme of his government such as the micro credit scheme; Okowo Dapo,the Central Bank of Nigeria backed Anchor Borrower programme for the agric sector among others.

Abiodun described the retirees as embodiment of wisdom and that no responsible government will toy with its source of wisdom. He enjoined them to continue to put forward their contributions and elderly advice at all times assuring that “together we will build an enviable future for our dear State”