Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to prioritising the welfare of workers and pensioners in the state.
Speaking during the distribution of bond certificates worth ₦1.9 billion to contributory pensioners at the Local Government Service Commission, Governor Adeleke outlined the significant strides his government has made in settling pension arrears.
“We are gathered here for the distribution of bond cheques to our contributory pensioners. As part of our determination to settle pension indebtedness, today we are paying out a total sum of ₦1,999,908,887.33. This payment covers both state and local governments,” Adeleke stated.
The Governor highlighted that his administration has so far cleared over ₦47 billion in pension liabilities within two years, surpassing what the previous All Progressives Congress administration achieved in 12 years.
He elaborated, “For our administration, in the last two years plus what we are paying out today, the total payment for state pensioners is ₦22,671,217,893.24. While payments for local government pensioners stand at ₦25 billion. This brings our total payments over two years to more than ₦47 billion. Our administration has paid almost 70% under two years of what the former APC administration paid in 12 years.”
Adeleke also introduced a novel initiative to improve pensioners’ access to healthcare, noting, “We added a life-changing policy: the enrolment of pensioners in the health insurance scheme. This has eased access to healthcare for our senior citizens. Our love, care, and support for pensioners is not a political gimmick. It is about doing the right thing.”
Commitment to Pensioners
The event also featured remarks from the State Head of Service, Ayanleye Aina, who praised the Governor’s efforts to fulfil promises made to both workers and pensioners in Osun State. He commended Adeleke for his focus on addressing pension arrears and ensuring the welfare of retirees.
A Financial Balancing Act
Despite the state’s tight financial constraints, Adeleke asserted that his government has remained committed to equitable resource distribution across all sectors. He described the payment of pensions as a critical aspect of his administration’s agenda to ensure socio-economic stability in the state.
The Governor’s achievements in settling pension debts and launching innovative welfare policies signal a proactive approach to governance, reinforcing his administration’s resolve to prioritise the wellbeing of its senior citizens.
