Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has flagged off the payment of N3.897 billion in gratuities to 1,038 retirees of the Local Government Service and Primary School Teachers and Non-Teaching Staff who retired in 2016.
The payment is the fifth batch of the state’s bulk gratuity settlement programme, with beneficiaries receiving their entitlements directly into their bank accounts.
Governor Aiyedatiwa described the payment as a constitutional and moral obligation, not a favour or political gesture, assuring retirees that his administration remains committed to clearing inherited gratuity backlogs across both the State and Local Government Services.
He also announced an online retirement-document capturing system and a free healthcare programme for senior citizens under the ORANGHIS Scheme, while urging retirees to use their funds wisely and beware of fraudsters and risky investments.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, and the Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya, commended the Governor for prioritising the welfare of retirees.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Johnson Osunyemi, also praised the administration, assuring the Governor of pensioners’ continued support.
Governor Aiyedatiwa further directed that another gratuity payment exercise be conducted before the end of the year, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to making gratuity backlogs a thing of the past.