Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of retirees in the state, describing pensioners as the “custodians of collective memory” and “silent architects” of the state’s public institutions.
Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Olusegun Omojuwa, stated this during the 2025 Pensioners’ Day celebration organised by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ondo State chapter, held at the Union’s Secretariat on Oda Road, Akure.
The governor assured that the requests presented by the pensioners, including the timely payment of their retirement benefits and rehabilitation of the road leading to the NUP Secretariat, would receive prompt attention.
“Pensioners are the custodians of our collective memory, the teachers who model minds, the health workers who save lives, the administrators who keep the wheels of governance turning. We owe you not just gratuity, but gratitude, respect and remembrance,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He emphasised that since assumption of office, his administration has pursued a deliberate policy to restore the dignity of retirees by ensuring regular pension payments and clearing accumulated arrears of gratuities.
“From day one, we took a solemn stand to bring humanity into governance. Every pensioner deserves peace of mind and regular income after years of selfless service. That is why we’ve made prompt payment of pensions a permanent culture,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed that his government had released ₦2.396 billion for the payment of gratuities to verified retirees of 2016 and 2017, in addition to ₦2.2 billion disbursed in 2024 for 2015 retirees.
He added that two weeks ago, over ₦2 billion was also released to settle the backlog owed local government pensioners.
The governor further revealed that his administration approved an additional ₦30,000 monthly allowance for pensioners to cushion the impact of subsidy removal on senior citizens.
“These payments are not acts of charity but of justice and compassion. Every naira represents a lifetime of service,” he said.
He added that under his administration, pensioners now receive their entitlements promptly, without delays that could subject them to hardship.
According to him, the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission is expanding access to healthcare for retirees, with plans to fully integrate all registered pensioners into the state’s health insurance scheme.
He also noted that ongoing road projects across the state are aimed at improving accessibility and easing movement for all citizens, including the elderly.
The Chairman of the occasion, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo represented by a former Majority leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon Olumide Araoyinbo applauded huge contributions of the retirees to the nation’s building over the years.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Johnson Osunyemi, commended the governor for his unprecedented commitment to pensioners’ welfare, describing him as “the pensioners’ loving governor.”
Osunyemi lauded Aiyedatiwa for implementing the 30 percent pension harmonisation policy, ensuring full and prompt pension payments, and raising the minimum pension to ₦30,000 monthly.
“No pensioner in Ondo State now earns below ₦35,000,” Osunyemi said, adding that the governor’s consistent payment of arrears dating back to 2010 and his pledge to clear all outstanding gratuities during his tenure had restored the pride and dignity of retirees.
In appreciation, the NUP conferred on Aiyedatiwa the title of “Grand Patron” the first time such an honour would be bestowed on a sitting governor in Ondo State.
The NUP chairman, however, appealed for the rehabilitation of the access road leading to the Secretariat and government support for the promotion of the Union’s 1,000-capacity event centre to serve as a revenue-generating facility.
The 2025 Pensioners’ Day celebration was attended by hundreds of retirees from across the 18 local government areas, top government officials, and labour leaders, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Comrade Bola Taiwo, and the NLC Chairman, Comrade Ademola Olapade, who all praised the Governor for transforming the welfare landscape of pensioners in the state.