……Distributes Over One Hundred Million Naira Gratuity Cheques to Retirees
Ekiti state Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji says one of his desirous goals in life is to be remembered as the Governor who tell the truth as he distributed one hundred and fifty million naira cheques as gratuities to 64 Local Government’ workers and primary school teachers in the state.
Governor Oyebanji who stated this in Ado Ekiti during the distribution of Cheques to the beneficiaries, said his administration would continue to make efforts towards prioritizing the welfare of pensioners in Ekiti state and ensure that they receive their gratuities in due course.
Mr Oyebanji remarked that he understood that many individuals were not happy with the various good policies and programmes being implemented across the state by his administration, but that would not stop him from doing the right things for the prosperity of the people
“I just need your prayers because many people are not happy with what we are doing, a lot of them are not happy at all, but the reality is that I don’t care about those things because I know that there is God in heaven. As long as God live and I am doing what the Bible commands me to do, I wish whoever that is not happy well.
We campaigned on the mantra of shared prosperity, so I don’t believe that only political appointees alone should prosper. Your vote and mine carry the same value, so access to government opportunities should be equal. So I have made up my mind to please God and not to please anybody. The only thing I need from you is your continuous prayers that I don’t disappoint you” he said.
Mr Oyebanji said the outstanding arrears for both the state and local government retirees would be settled while work is in progress on gratuity liabilities. He said the implementation was taking time because government wanted to perfect all arrangements to ensure total clearance of the payments.
He pointed out that it had been resolved that gratuity would henceforth be disbursed to pensioners every three months, while the government is also devising initiatives concerning the health of the retirees in the state, adding that the move would be concluded soon.
The governor who highlighted efforts being made by the government to better the lives of the people, also said that his administration had paid over six hundred million naira as gratuities to one hundred and eighty nine Local Government workers and primary school teachers since assumption of power in October last year.
He enjoined other retirees both at the state and local government levels whose turn is yet to come, to exercise patience, saying his goal is to provide them with the financial security and peace of mind that they rightfully deserve.
“To the beneficiaries of today, I congratulate you. Your long-awaited day of joy has come. As usual, let me passionately advise you to utilize this money wisely. This is not time to demonstrate extravagance or spend lavishly. Your wellbeing is very important and it should be paramount to you.
Let me also commend the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, the Office of the Accountant-General and the Local Government Pension and Transitional Arrangements Department for playing their respective roles in ensuring the success of this endeavor. ,I also give kudos to you for making sure that the goal of my administration concerning the welfare of the senior citizens is met Please keep it up” The Governor remarked.
In his remarks, the Ekiti state chairman of pensioners, Elder Joel Akinola thanked Governor Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of retirees in the state with a call on him not to relent in providing other needs and entitlements of the pensioners.
Also, the Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangements Department, Ekiti state Local Government, Mr Folusho Akinwumi congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to use the money to take good care of themselves, rather than expending it on ventures that would further impoverish them.
