Jimoh Ahmed, Owo

Retirees and senior citizens in Akoko axis of Ondo State have expressed gratitude to the state government for setting aside reasonable amount of money for the payment of backlog of gratuity owned pensioners in the state.

They posited that this will go a long way in ameliorating the agonies of retirees in the state.

Reacting to the proposed payment, a retired Head Teacher from Akungba Akoko, Seriki Awesu, said senior citizens who had retired over the years are now very hopeful that their entitlement will soon be paid to them.

According to Seriki, this gesture if carried out and allowed to continue will serve as motivation for those still in active service, believing they will be paid too, after serving meritoriously.

Another senior citizen and retiree from Uba Oka Akoko, Mr Pius Imoru, noted that many pensioners have died of neglect and poverty due to non payment of their gratuity.

Imoru urged the state government to make the exercise a continuous one for the retired workers in the state in order to alleviate their plight.