•••Hails Gov for Prioritising Pensioners’ Welfare
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ondo State Branch, has commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of retirees across the state.
Speaking during the weekend in Akure, the NUP State Chairman, Comrade Johnson Osunyemi, praised the governor for ending the era of percentage pension payments and introducing regular, full payments that have transformed the lives of pensioners.
Osunyemi, who described retirees as “retired but not tired,” revealed that the union has honoured Aiyedatiwa with the Grand Patron Award in recognition of his pro-pensioner reforms.
“Since assuming office, Governor Aiyedatiwa has rescued us from the hardship of percentage payments to full and prompt pensions,” Osunyemi stated.
“He implemented the 30 percent harmonisation and consequential increase from the 2018 salary review, lifting pensioners from as low as ₦1,500 monthly to a minimum of ₦30,000. Today, no pensioner earns below ₦35,000 in Ondo State.”
The union also applauded the Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Pension Transitional Department, Dr Mercy Olayinka Femi-Idris, for her administrative excellence and innovation in pension management.
According to Osunyemi, Femi-Idris revolutionised the department through the issuance of digital identity cards, weekly medical check-ups for retirees, and compassionate service delivery.
The NUP honoured her with an Award of Outstanding Administrative Excellence for her professionalism and empathy.
Similarly, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, received the Most Distinguished Humanitarian Patron Award for his consistent advocacy and humanitarian support to pensioners.
The union described his national reforms in immigration and correctional services as exemplary.
Osunyemi, however, appealed to the state government to provide the union with an official vehicle and rehabilitate the one-and-a-half-kilometre access road to its secretariat from Oda Road.
Representing Governor Aiyedatiwa at the event, the Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to make prompt pension payment a permanent culture.
“From day one, we took a solemn stand to bring humanity into governance,” Omojuwa said. “Every pensioner deserves peace of mind and regular income after years of selfless service. That’s why timely pension payment remains a permanent commitment of this government.”
