The Ondo State Government has begun the disbursement of N2.5 billion in outstanding gratuities to retired primary school teachers and local government employees across the state.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his commitment to settling all outstanding gratuity arrears in phases, assuring retirees that his administration would not rest until every backlog was cleared. Speaking at the unveiling of the fourth batch of bulk gratuity payments at the Cocoa Conference Hall in Akure, he acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by retirees and emphasized that their welfare remains a priority despite the state’s financial constraints.
In the previous three phases of this initiative, the government had already disbursed N3 billion, covering arrears up to the year 2012. Aiyedatiwa stressed the importance of retirees enjoying the rewards of their service with dignity, noting that his administration had implemented a structured system for gratuity payments to ensure fairness and consistency. He reassured retirees that payments would be determined solely by the year of retirement, free from political influence or favoritism.
“Retirees deserve to enjoy the fruits of their labour in peace and dignity. This initiative is part of our broader strategy to improve their welfare and ensure they are not forgotten after years of meritorious service,” he said.
Expressing gratitude for the support of the people, Aiyedatiwa added, “Your prayers for us have continued to sustain us. It is to the glory of God that your efforts and support, as well as that of the entire people of the state, have given us yet another opportunity as we look forward to my official inauguration on Monday, 24th February 2025.”
The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners in Ondo State, Mr. Johnson Osunyemi, commended the governor for prioritizing retirees’ welfare and ensuring timely gratuity payments. He also lauded Aiyedatiwa for approving the implementation of the new minimum wage for pensioners, describing it as a significant milestone that has improved their standard of living.
In his remarks, the Head of Service, Mr. Bayo Philip, encouraged beneficiaries to use their payments wisely and expressed optimism that more retirees would benefit from future payment phases.
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