By Bright Gbotemi
With the recent disbursement of One Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Eight Seven Naira (N1,999,908,887.33) in gratuities to Osun state pensioners, the mood in the Land of the Living Spring is fast changing as the beneficiaries and their families are dedicating their loyalty to H.E. Senator (Dr) Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, Executive Governor of Osun state, BRIGHT OLORUNGBOTEMI reports.
In Nigeria, words like salary, pension and gratuity evoke strong feelings in the mind of members of the public and it sent jitters to the inner marrow of the governors. Oftentimes, the country witnesses protests over non-payment of either salaries or gratuities, with governors resorting to blame game or attributing the failure to lean resources.
Under Governor Adeleke of Osun State, the reverse has been the case since he assumed office on Monday, 28 November, 2022.
In the build up to the payment of entitlements to pensioners in the state, Former Governor Aregbesola’s payment as at 2018 was a total sum of Seventeen Billion, One Hundred and Fifty Two Million, Six Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty One Naira (N17,152,662,351.26).
Former Governor Oyetola’s payment as at 2022 was a total sum of Seventeen Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty Five Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eight Naira (N17,255,424,708.51).
The total for the two previous administrations under a 12 year period was Thirty Four Billion, Four Hundred and Eight Million, Eighty Seven Thousand and Fifty Naira Naira (N34,408,087,059.77).
While Governor Ademola Adeleke in the last two years have cleared total sum of over N47 billion. (Twenty Two Billion, Six Hundred Seventy One Million, Two Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety Three Naira (N22,671,217,893.24) for state, while Local Government Pension stands at N25 billion), amounting to almost 70 percent under two years of what the former APC administration paid for 12 years.
WORD OF GOVERNOR ADELEKE
“We added a life changing policy, the enrolment of pensioners in the Health Insurance Scheme. This has eased access to health care for our senior citizens. Our love, care and support for pensioners is therefore not a political gimmick. It is about doing the right thing.
“As much as we still have a lot of grounds to cover, we have started on a strong note. We have proved to our elderly people that we are with them, that we seriously care about their well being.
“Other outstanding issues in the pension sector are to be looked into. The Head of Service is mandated to compile a list of other unresolved issues facing pensioners, especially areas they still want our government to focus on.
This will further ensure adequate state response to areas of needs, Governor Adeleke said on Monday in Abeere during the celebration of his two years in office.
He assured state workers of his commitment to their welfare saying ‘We are a government of workers, labour, pensioners and the masses.”
Meanwhile, the governor also promised to ensure that retirees are not left out in the payment of wage awards to Osun government workers.
PENSIONERS REACT
Speaking at the event, the Head of Service, Ayanleye Samuel Aina, commended the governor for paying the substantial sum as gratuities to the pensioners, describing the act as unprecedented.
A Pensioner who spoke to our correspondent, Mrs Ayeni Bolaji, Elder Adeyeye expressed their gratitude to the governor for prioritising the welfare of the pensioners and the entire workforce in the state.
In a show of appreciation, and endorsement ahead of 2026, attached is the video of the Pensioners….
Chanting… “Governor Ademola Adeleke we are behind you for second term,”We are pleased with you and your government”, “We want Adeleke Again as Osun Governor”, among others…
VIDEO Here… https://youtube.com/shorts/GgZ129RRrkY?si=Nl8igfy1iBomFqnL