The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ondo State branch, has commended the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of retirees in the state.
The State Chairman of the union, Comrade Johnson Osunyemi, gave the commendation in Akure during the union’s Pensioners’ Day celebration, expressing appreciation to the governor for the consistent payment of pension arrears and other welfare packages for retirees.
Osunyemi, who described pensioners as “retired but not tired,” announced the conferment of the Grand Patron Award on Governor Aiyedatiwa for putting smiles on the faces of retirees across the state.
He said Aiyedatiwa’s administration had rescued pensioners from the era of percentage payments to full, regular, and timely pensions, and had also implemented the 30 per cent harmonisation and consequential adjustment arising from the 2018 salary increase.
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Osunyemi said, “Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa lifted pensioners from the quagmire of receiving as low as N1,500 monthly to a minimum of N30,000 across board. As of today, no pensioner earns below N35,000 in Ondo State.”
The NUP chairman also commended the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo Local Government Pension Transitional Department, Dr Mercy Olayinka Femi-Idris, for her administrative excellence and unwavering dedication to retirees’ welfare.
He disclosed that under her leadership, digital identity cards were issued to pensioners for the first time. At the same time, weekly medical examinations and treatment sessions were introduced every Wednesday to enhance retirees’ health and well-being.
In recognition of her service, the union honoured Femi-Idris with the Outstanding Administrative Excellence Award.
Similarly, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was honoured with the Most Distinguished Humanitarian Patron Award for his philanthropy and advocacy for pensioners’ welfare.
Osunyemi lauded the minister’s reforms in the interior ministry, describing them as impactful and transformative, particularly in national security administration, immigration, and correctional services.
He also appealed to the state government to provide an official vehicle for the union and to rehabilitate the 1.5-kilometre road leading to its secretariat from Oda Road in Akure.
Speaking at the event, Governor Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of retirees, noting that they deserve peace of mind and regular income after years of service.
“From day one, we took a solemn stand to bring humanity into governance. Every pensioner deserves peace of mind and a regular income after years of selfless service.
“That is why we have made prompt payment of pensions a permanent culture,” Aiyedatiwa said.
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