By Kemi Olatunde,
Bukola Olamona &
Samuel Edu

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Pensioners in Ondo State radiated smiles yesterday and in turn showered encomiums on the State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for jacking up their pension allowance.

The retirees described the gesture of the governor as first of its kind in the country apart from the federal government.

The state’s Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele who broke the news of the approval said it is in conformity with the consequential adjustment arising from the implementation of the National Minimum Wage of 2019 in the country.

According to him, no fewer than 11,654 officers from the state civil service and 11,659 from the local governments’ service who retired before January 1, 2020, the effective date of the present minimum wage regime would benefit from the new approval.

While congratulating the pensioners in the state, Ogundele thanked Akeredolu for listening to the yearnings of the pensioners and prioritising the general well being of the State workers.

Elated chairman and secretary of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ondo State, Comrade Johnson Osunyemi and Comrade Akin. Sunday respectively described the Governor’s approval as unprecedented and clear indication of his love for the aged and pensioners since Akeredolu assumed office

The NUP chairman and secretary in their joint statement noted that the Governor’s gesture will end the suffering of many retirees whose monthly pensions are not enough to cater for their needs.

The NUP leadership assures Akeredolu of continuous and unquantified support of pensioners across the state to his administration.

The statement described Akeredolu as a forthright and trustworthy leader who has clear vision to develop the state and its people, assuring that his name would be written in the good books of the Sunshine state.

The union noted that the action of Mr. Governor as a compassionate gesture would go a long way in ameliorating the suffering of retirees.

Ondo NUP also appreciated the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale; the state Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters & Special duties, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye, the National Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Sunday Adeleye Oluwole and the state NLC leadership, for their efforts in achieving consequential adjustments of retirees in pension allowances.

Another executive member of the union, Hajj Jola Badmos said the gesture will enhance the financial capability of pensioners and it will boost their take home pay and definitely boost their commitment to the governor in terms of loyalty, performance and support.

In his remarks, former State Chairman, Parents Teachers Association, (PTA) Ondo State, Chief Abimbola Omoloja who thanked the governor for considering the suffering of the elderly in the state said he is the first governor to do that.

Omoloja said the governor has used his position in a godly manner to increase their allowances, thereby putting smiles on their faces.

He said” How can somebody, having served the government  meritoriously for 35 years and after that be suffering but the governor has deemed it fit to make their life better, he deserve kudos”.

He therefore called on the governor to continue to use his godly position to ensure that the implementation takes off immediately by not allowing the civil service bureaucracy to set in.