By Adedotun Ajayi

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the phased settlement of outstanding gratuities, assuring retirees that efforts will continue until all arrears are fully cleared.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the fourth batch of bulk gratuities payments to retired local government staff and primary school teachers at the Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Akure, Aiyedatiwa stressed that his government remains mindful of the financial challenges faced by retirees.

Despite limited resources, he affirmed that retirees’ welfare remains a top priority of his administration.

He noted that a total of ₦3 billion had been disbursed in the previous three phases to settle gratuities arrears up to 2012 adding that with the latest phase, an additional ₦2.5 billion has been allocated to clear payments for retirees from 2013.

“Retirees deserve to enjoy the fruits of their labour in peace and dignity. This initiative is part of our broader strategy to improve their welfare and ensure that they are not forgotten after years of meritorious service,” the governor stated.

Aiyedatiwa further explained that his administration had instituted a system to regularly set aside funds for gratuities payments, thereby ensuring seamless and consistent disbursement.

He also assured that the payment process would remain free of political influence, with only the year of retirement determining priority.

“The era of selective payment based on a pensioner’s position within the state’s power structure, an era that bred tension, misgivings, and unnecessary struggles for access to influence has come to an end,” he declared.

The governor called for continuous prayers for improved state finances, which he noted, would enable the government to settle more outstanding gratuities in subsequent phases.

“Your prayers for us have continued to sustain us. It is to the glory of God that your efforts and support, as well as that of the entire people of the state, have given us yet another opportunity as we look forward to my official inauguration on Monday, 24th February 2025.

“I wish to assure you that with our renewed mandate, an era of unprecedented delivery of the dividends of good governance for the benefit of all and sundry in our Sunshine State has come,” he added.

In his welcome address, the Head of Service, Mr. Bayo Philip, commended the governor for prioritising retirees’ welfare despite financial constraints.

He described the initiative as a testament to the administration’s commitment to ensuring that retirees are well cared for.

Philip urged beneficiaries to make prudent use of their payments and expressed hope that more retirees would benefit from subsequent disbursements.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Ondo State Chapter, Johnson Osunyemi, lauded the governor’s efforts at ensuring timely payment of gratuities.

He noted that Ondo State retirees were among the few in the country benefiting from regular pension increment, a privilege not enjoyed by many pensioners in other States.

Osunyemi also praised Aiyedatiwa for approving the implementation of the new minimum wage for pensioners, describing it as a landmark achievement that had significantly improved retirees’ living conditions.

Some beneficiaries, including Mr. Ahmed Babatunde, Mrs.Cecilia Olasimbo, and Mr. Francis Adejuwon, expressed gratitude for the payments, stressing that it would greatly ease their financial burdens.

They commended the transparent and fair approach adopted by the government.

Dignitaries present at the event included the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Segun Omojuwa, senior government officials, representatives of labour unions, and members of the retirees’ association.