The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday flagged off the disbursement of ₦2.4 billion as gratuities to pensioners who retired from the state public service in 2018 and 2019.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan.
The ceremony, held at the Cocoa Conference Centre, Governor’s Office, Akure, marked what the governor described as a significant step towards restoring the dignity of retirees and addressing longstanding arrears owed to them.
Speaking at the event, Aiyedatiwa emphasised the moral basis of the exercise.
This exercise is not merely administrative but a fulfilment of a moral obligation to those who had served the state diligently,” he said.
He noted that many pensioners had endured years of hardship due to delayed payments.
“Retirement should be a period of rest and dignity rather than uncertainty,” the governor added.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed that ₦2.4 billion had been approved to offset gratuity arrears for retirees of 2018 and 2019, despite competing fiscal demands.
“The government would always place what is right above convenience,” he said.
Highlighting the scale of the challenge inherited by his administration, the governor said, “The administration inherited a substantial backlog of pension and gratuity liabilities, which came with stories of prolonged waiting, anguish, and, in some cases, loss of lives, as some beneficiaries did not survive to receive their dues.”
He assured all that efforts were ongoing to clear all outstanding arrears.
The governor also stressed that the welfare of workers and retirees would not be politicised.
He said the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in the state could attest to the consistency in the release of intervention funds.
Reaffirming his broader governance priorities, Aiyedatiwa stated that his administration would continue to ensure the safety of lives and property while investing in critical infrastructure for residents.
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