…seek reforms to end incidence of unpaid backlog
By Justus Adetomiwa
Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has received glowing commendation from the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ondo State Chapter, for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of retirees in the state, describing him as “a true friend of pensioners.”
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Weekend Hope in Akure, the state Chairman of NUP, Mr. Johnson Osunyemi lauded the governor’s gesture following the recent payments of gratuities totalling ₦15.99 billion to pensioners who retired from the local governments and primary schools between 2010 and 2013, 2014, including 2016-2017 state retirees.
Osunyemi, who described Aiyedatiwa as “pensioner-friendly,” said the initiative had rekindled hope among retirees who had endured years of hardship under previous administrations.
“The governor has been very magnanimous and pensioner-friendly. He has shown us that he is a real friend. All pensioners in Ondo State are now optimistic that their long-awaited entitlements will soon be paid,” he said.
The NUP Chairman expressed deep appreciation on behalf of his members, noting that the union had every reason to be grateful to the Aiyedatiwa-led administration.
He said, “If there is anything better than appreciation, the governor deserves it. He has made us proud, made us smile and made us comfortable. There was a time when we had governors who paid nothing at all. But since his assumption of office, the backlog has been drastically reduced.”
Osunyemi, however, urged the state government to institutionalise reforms to prevent future accumulation of unpaid gratuities.
“Government should ensure that retirees begin their processing at least six months before retirement so that by the time they leave service, their gratuity is ready. Also, there must be a proper verification system to identify living pensioners and eliminate ghost names from the payroll,” he advised.
While commending the ongoing payment plan, he appealed to other retirees awaiting their gratuities to remain patient and hopeful.
“The agreement between us and government is that payments will continue progressively until all arrears are cleared. The governor has promised not to leave any gratuity unpaid by the end of his tenure,” Osunyemi assured.
He described the ongoing payments not as a new beginning, but as a continuation of the administration’s sustained commitment to pensioners’ welfare.
“Even when he was Acting Governor, he started paying. This latest ₦2.39 billion release shows that he is keeping his word. Pensioners in Ondo State can now sleep with both eyes closed,” he added.
Reacting, an economist and former General Manager of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr. Japheth Ofomiyonwon, described the initiative as a welcome development that would stimulate the local economy.
“This is money owed to senior citizens who served the state diligently, paying them will not only bring joy and relief to them but will also have a multiplier effect on the economy. When pensioners receive their gratuities, they spend in local markets, buy medicines and pay for services — thereby boosting business activities,” he explained.
He urged the state government to maintain fiscal discipline and continue prioritising investments that directly impact the welfare of the people.
“If the government remains consistent, Ondo State will enjoy sustainable growth, economic stability and an improved quality of life for its citizens,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Femi Otele, who retired in 2016, also commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for fulfilling his promise to clear the backlog of gratuities owed to retirees.
“The governor is people-loving and genuinely concerned about pensioners. I urge the people of Ondo State to continue to support him so that he can keep doing great things for the state,” he said.
In a similar vein, another beneficiary, Mr. Idowu Salako, a 2017 retiree, expressed optimism that the ongoing effort would be sustained.
“We are happy with what the governor is doing. We encourage him to continue his good works, so that no pensioner is left behind,” he noted.
The ₦2.39 billion gratuity payment, commissioned on Monday, October 20, covers several categories of 2016 and 2017 retirees across the state, bringing renewed hope to hundreds of pensioners long awaiting their benefits.