VAM News Update

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State Government, has said all bedridden pensioners and others with serious health challenge will henceforth have their audit exercise conducted through telephone.

A statement by signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi on Monday revealed that such pensioners, will no longer be required to be physically present at the venue of the screening exercise.

The statement added that pensioners who are currently outside the State would have their screening conducted via the same means.

It also said “Pensioners outside the state at the moment no longer need to travel down to Osun State as they will also be having their screening through the telephone.

“Additionally, pensioners in the diaspora will also be screened only through video calls.

“In line with the above, the Pension Board is expected to make available all the particulars, especially pictures of pensioners to the Consultant, for ease of identification during the video call screenings.

 

“The above directives take immediate effect.”

Meanwhile, three members of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Osun State chapter, on Monday, narrowly escaped death when they suddenly collapsed during the ongoing staff audit exercise of the state workforce.

It was gathered that the incident happened at the premises of the Center for Black Culture and International Understanding in Osogbo.

The collapsed pensioners were rescued by their colleagues.

Additionally, other members who could no longer withstand the strenuous exercise sat down in available places to prevent endless standing.

One of the pensioners, who identified himself as Samuel Aderoja, condemned the exercise, describing it as excessively strenuous and taxing on their strength.

According to him, “Though the exercise sanctioned by the state government is desirable, the process would have been made easier if it were to be conducted on a local government or zonal basis.”

However, the chairman of the pensioners, Alhaji Ganiyu Salawu, said, “We are in total support of the staff audit, but the government should consider the aged and helpless retirees by decentralising it.

“Osun pensioners are in support of the audit verification exercise by this government; it is the right way to go.

“But, sir, permit me to plead on behalf of our members, especially the vulnerable ones—the bedridden ones, the elderly, and the helpless retirees who form the core membership of this union.

“NUP Osun State has nothing to hide. We have submitted our statistics and relevant data to the supervising ministry, and local government.”