Governor Abiodun Pays N500M To Retirees, Pensioners In Ogun State

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, on Wednesday, paid a total sum of N500 million to some state and local government retirees.

Abiodun, while carrying out a symbolic presentation of cheques to some retirees at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said the event was a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to fulfilling its promises to all the workers of the state, particularly the elder statesmen and women.

He explained that the distribution of N500 million to pensioners in the state signaled the commencement of a payment process for all the pensioners.

The governor stated: ''I am assuring you that the process for all our pensioners. Though these payments are inherited liabilities from past Government I am assuring you that the process of paying these gratuities have started and will definitely continue on a quarterly basis”.

Abiodun said that apart from the payment of monetary entitlements, his government was committed to providing other opportunities for the retirees under the state’s social welfare scheme.

He said: “I enjoin our dear elders to take advantage of our administration’s various social intervention programs. For those of you who are into micro and small businesses, you can key into Oko-Owo Dapo, a micro-credit scheme that provides a window for women to access financial resources. It empowers our people to expand their micro and small businesses.

“In the same vein, in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), we have inaugurated the Anchor Borrowers Scheme on Agriculture. Under this scheme, our people, including our pensioners, could turn to agric entrepreneurship as a way of life and living. Under the scheme, participants will be provided with land, which will be cleared for them, improved seedling, and other extension services. 

''Under the scheme, participants will be provided with land, which will be cleared for them, improved seedling, and other extension services. In addition, off-takers, that is, the Anchors will be sourced for their produce at agreed prices that are known to all at the time of planting, thereby guaranteeing price stability and adequate reward for effort. In fact, CBN will pay stipends to the farmers pending the harvest and sale of their produce”. 

While describing the retirees as an embodiment of wisdom and who no responsible government will toy with, Abiodun enjoined them to continue to put forward their contributions and elderly advice at all times.

He, therefore, commended members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ogun State Branch, for their understanding and patience, submitting that their welfare would continue to be a top priority for his government.