Oyetola Approves N708m For Pensioners

By Ayodele Oni

Osun state Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has felicitated with the people of Osun in particular and Nigerians in general on the country’s 61st Independence Anniversary.

The Governor’s felicitation is coming just as he approved the release of N708 Million  to further offset pension arrears of retired officers of the State civil service.

The Governor commended Nigerians for remaining steadfast in the face of challenges confronting the country, saying that “all these years, we have proved to the world that we have all it takes to remain one and indivisible nation under one God.”

The Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, also charged the people of Osun to look forward to a better tomorrow, adding that “as a State, we have focused on the vision of our founding fathers to mould the necessary bricks that will build the Osun of our dream and pride.

“Our resolve, creativity and innovations have never failed us. Despite the conspiracy of the global economic downturn and the Corona virus pandemic, we have kept our eyes on the mechanics of democracy– good governance, inclusive governance, strong institutions and the rule of law – that never fail at good and bad times.

“Our economy remains resilient even in the face of debilitating resources. We have proved that a resilient economy is possible in the face of crass economic doldrums.

“We are gradually moving away from a monolithic economy to diversify the economy of Osun that is hinged on the people, our most precious resource, and on Agriculture, Tourism and Mining, the three critical pillars of our economy.  We are positioning these three sectors as our foreign exchange earners and the drivers of our economy.

“Collaborating with security agencies at the State and national levels, we have kept our State relatively safe to build a robust foundation for our economic revolution agenda.

“Lack, want and hunger shall soon be things of the past and we shall steadily entrench our State on the path of prosperity.

Let us collaborate with government to change the narrative of propaganda and bad governance and, together, take Osun to the mountain tops.”

Announcing the release of the amount to pensioners in a press release signed by the Head of Service, Dr Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade indicated that a sum N508 Million of the released sum was approved for the payment of retired civil servants, while an additional sum of N150O Million was approved for the payment of retirees under the contributory pensions scheme.

An additional N50 Million was approved for the payment of gratuities of retired officers under the old pension scheme.

The release further revealed that the list of beneficiaries of the approved sum has been pasted on the notice board of the Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation,  the State’s Pension Bureau and the Office of the Head of Service as payment of the released funds kicks off  Tuesday, 5th October 2021.

Governor Oyetola assured all workers, both serving and retired that efforts would be mustered to always give their welfare the pride of place it deserves, the statement added.